Psalms 135:18

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 135:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them.
Psalms 135:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 135

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them.

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 that make them are like unto them, etc.] Are as blind, stupid, and senseless as they; or “let them that make them”, etc.f1812; so some versions and interpreters; (see Gill on “<19B508>Psalm 115:8”); [so is] everyone that trusteth in them; alike ignorant and sottish: and so are all such that set up idols and lusts in their own hearts, and serve them; or trust to their own righteousness; even all unregenerate and self-righteous persons: they cannot speak a word for God and his grace, for Christ and his righteousness, for the Spirit of God, and his work upon their hearts, of all which they are ignorant; they are blind and have no sight and sense of their sin and misery, and of their need…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The idols of the heathen are silver and gold ... - To show more fully the propriety of praising God, and him alone as God, the psalmist instituted a comparison between him and idols, showing that the gods worshipped by the pagan lacked every ground of claim to divine worship and homage. They were, after all that could be done to fashion, to decorate, and to adorn them, nothing but silver and gold, and could have no better claim to worship than silver and gold as such. They had, indeed, mouths, eyes, ears, but they could neither speak, see, hear, nor breathe. The passage here is substantially the same as in Psalms 115:4-8; and the one was evidently copied from the other, though in the latter…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“They that: Psa 97:7, Psa 115:8; Isa 44:18-20; Jer 10:8; Co2 4:4 Psalms 135:19”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification