Psalm 115:3
New International Version
Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.

New Living Translation
Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.

English Standard Version
Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.

Berean Standard Bible
Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.

King James Bible
But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

New King James Version
But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.

New American Standard Bible
But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.

NASB 1995
But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.

NASB 1977
But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.

Legacy Standard Bible
But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.

Amplified Bible
But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.

Christian Standard Bible
Our God is in heaven and does whatever he pleases.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases.

American Standard Version
But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he pleased.

Contemporary English Version
Our God is in the heavens, doing as he chooses.

English Revised Version
But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he pleased.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Our God is in heaven. He does whatever he wants.

Good News Translation
Our God is in heaven; he does whatever he wishes.

International Standard Version
when our God is in the heavens and he does whatever he desires?

Majority Standard Bible
Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.

NET Bible
Our God is in heaven! He does whatever he pleases!

New Heart English Bible
But our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases.

Webster's Bible Translation
But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatever he pleased.

World English Bible
But our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And our God [is] in the heavens, "" All that He has pleased He has done.

Young's Literal Translation
And our God is in the heavens, All that He hath pleased He hath done.

Smith's Literal Translation
And our God is in the heavens; did all that he delighted in.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But our God is in heaven: he hath done all things whatsoever he would.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But our God is in heaven. All things whatsoever that he has willed, he has done.

New American Bible
Our God is in heaven and does whatever he wills.

New Revised Standard Version
Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But our God is in the heavens; he has done whatever he pleased.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Our God is in Heaven and he has done all that he pleased.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But our God is in the heavens; Whatsoever pleased Him He hath done.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But our God has done in heaven and on earth, whatsoever he has pleased.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
To Your Name Be the Glory
2Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases. 4Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.…

Cross References
Daniel 4:35
All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

Isaiah 46:10
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Job 42:2
“I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.

Isaiah 14:24
The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand.

Ephesians 1:11
In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,

Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

Isaiah 55:11
so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

Romans 9:19-21
One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?” / But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” / Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Jeremiah 32:17
“Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!

Isaiah 40:13-14
Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? / Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding?

Psalm 135:6
The LORD does all that pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in all their depths.

Genesis 18:14
Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”

Luke 1:37
For no word from God will ever fail.”

Acts 17:24-25
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. / Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.


Treasury of Scripture

But our God is in the heavens: he has done whatever he has pleased.

but our

Psalm 2:4
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Psalm 68:4
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

Psalm 123:1
A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

he hath

Psalm 135:6
Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

Isaiah 46:10
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Daniel 4:35
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

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Psalm 115
1. Because God is truly glorious
4. And idols are vanity
9. He exhorts to confidence in God
12. God is to be blessed for his blessing














Our God is in heaven;
This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and transcendence of God. In biblical context, heaven is often depicted as the dwelling place of God, signifying His authority and power over all creation. The idea of God being in heaven contrasts with the idols mentioned earlier in the psalm, which are earthly and powerless. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine hierarchy, where the gods were often associated with specific locations or natural phenomena. The biblical portrayal of God as being in heaven underscores His supremacy and independence from the physical world. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as Isaiah 66:1, where God declares, "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool," highlighting His dominion over all.

He does as He pleases.
This phrase speaks to the omnipotence and freedom of God to act according to His will. It reflects the biblical theme of God's ultimate authority and control over the universe, as seen in passages like Daniel 4:35, where it states that God "does according to His will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth." This assertion of divine will is a reassurance to believers of God's active involvement in the world, despite human limitations in understanding His purposes. Historically, this would have been a comforting truth for the Israelites, who often faced uncertainty and adversity. Theologically, it points to the doctrine of God's providence, where He orchestrates all events for His glory and the good of His people, as seen in Romans 8:28. This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's will through Jesus Christ, who embodies God's purpose and plan for redemption.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The central figure in this verse, emphasizing His sovereignty and authority over all creation.

2. Heaven
The dwelling place of God, symbolizing His transcendence and supreme power.

3. Psalmist
The author of the psalm, traditionally attributed to the community of Israel, expressing trust and confidence in God's sovereignty.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty
Recognize that God is in control of all things, and His plans are perfect and unchangeable.

Trust in God's wisdom and timing, even when circumstances are challenging or unclear.

Heavenly Perspective
Understand that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His perspective is eternal.

Seek to align our desires and actions with God's will, as revealed in Scripture.

Faith and Trust
Develop a deeper faith in God's ability to accomplish His purposes, regardless of human limitations.

Encourage others to find peace and assurance in God's sovereign rule over their lives.

Prayer and Submission
Approach prayer with a heart of submission, seeking God's will above our own desires.

Use prayer as a means to align our hearts with God's purposes and to seek His guidance.Verse 3. - But - rather, and - as though he would say, "and all the while, as the heathen scorn and question" - our God is in the heavens; in his place, where he always is, watching over us. He hath done what soever he hath pleased. He has the will to help us, and he has the power to do whatsoever he pleases.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Our God
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥ינוּ (wê·lō·hê·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

is in heaven
בַשָּׁמָ֑יִם (ḇaš·šā·mā·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

and does
עָשָֽׂה׃ (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

as
כֹּ֭ל (kōl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

He pleases.
חָפֵ֣ץ (ḥā·p̄êṣ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2654: To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire


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OT Poetry: Psalm 115:3 But our God is in the heavens (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 115:2
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