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Psalms 115:6

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 115:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They have ears, but they hear not; Noses have they, but they smell not;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They have ears, but they hear not; Noses have they, but they smell not;
Psalms 115:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 115

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he pleased.
4Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men`s hands.
5They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not;
6They have ears, but they hear not; Noses have they, but they smell not;
7They have hands, but they handle not; Feet have they, but they walk not; Neither speak they through their throat.
8They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them.
9O Israel, trust thou in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield.
← Psalms 115:5Psalms 115:7 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“They have ears, but they hear not, etc.] The makers of them have taken care to place a pair of ears to their heads, but could not convey the faculty of hearing to them; so that though their priests may cry from morning to noon, as Baal’s worshippers did, saying, O Baal, hear us; and even tonight, and one day and night after another, nothing is heard, (<111826>1 Kings 18:26,27). Indeed the image of Jupiter at Crete was made without ears; because it was thought unbecoming that he, who was prince and lord of all, should give ear to any f1602: but the God of heaven and earth is a God hearing prayer; his ear is not heavy, that it cannot hear; his ears are always open to the cries of his people.…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“They have mouths ... - They are shaped like people, but have none of the attributes of intelligent beings. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 115 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification