What is the meaning of Psalm 115:2?

Why

• The psalmist opens with an indignant “Why,” signaling that the very question from unbelieving nations is unreasonable in light of God’s proven faithfulness (Psalm 115:1).

• Scripture frequently uses “Why” to challenge doubts and call God’s people back to confident trust (Psalm 43:5; Luke 24:38).

• This word invites believers to remember past deliverances so the question loses its sting (Exodus 15:11–13).

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should the nations

• “The nations” refers to all peoples outside the covenant community—those who neither know nor honor the LORD (Psalm 96:5).

• Their mocking echoes earlier taunts: “Where is their God?” (Psalm 79:10) and “Where is your God?” (Joel 2:17).

• God promises to vindicate His name before these same nations (Ezekiel 36:20–23), turning scorn into awe (Micah 7:16–17).

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say

• Words matter; the speech of unbelievers often reveals hearts set against the LORD (Malachi 3:13–15).

• Mocking speech magnifies itself when God’s people appear weak, yet He hears every word (2 Kings 19:22–28).

• The psalmist’s complaint models honest lament that brings ridicule to God, not merely venting to others (Psalm 38:13–15).

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“Where is their God?”

• The taunt suggests God is absent, powerless, or imaginary—precisely what pagans claimed before He humbled their idols (1 Samuel 5:1–5).

• In history God responded by making His presence undeniable:

– Elijah’s contest on Carmel: “The God who answers by fire, He is God” (1 Kings 18:24, 38–39).

– Hezekiah’s prayer when Assyria mocked: the angel of the LORD struck 185,000 (2 Kings 19:14–35).

• Today the same Lord indwells His people, proving the mockers wrong through transformed lives (John 14:23; 1 Peter 2:12).

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summary

Psalm 115:2 captures the shock that any nation would dare question the living God’s reality. The psalmist challenges the ridicule, reminds believers of God’s history of vindication, and anticipates His public defense of His glory. Instead of intimidation, the verse calls us to unwavering trust: our God is present, powerful, and ready to act so that the nations will no longer ask, “Where is their God?” but will confess, “The LORD, He is God!”