Why is God's name emphasized in Psalm 115:1? Text of Psalm 115:1 “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness.” Literary Placement within the Egyptian Hallel (Pss 113–118) Psalm 115 is the third psalm of the Egyptian Hallel, sung at Passover and the other great pilgrimage festivals. The sequence celebrates the Exodus and God’s covenant faithfulness. By opening with a double negation—“Not to us, not to us”—the psalmist shifts focus entirely away from human achievement and concentrates worship on Yahweh alone, setting the keynote for the remainder of the Hallel that culminates in messianic expectation (Psalm 118:22-26). Glory (כָּבוֹד, kāḇôd) and the Rejection of Human Self-Glorification Glory in Scripture refers to weight, worth, and visible splendor. Humanity, being derivative, can never originate glory; at best we reflect it (Isaiah 42:8). The psalm’s repetition “Not to us” demolishes self-reliance, a behavioral corrective against pride that echoes Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (“You may say in your heart, ‘My power…’”). The psalmist directs every accolade to God, aligning with the Westminster Shorter Catechism’s purpose of man: “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Covenant Loyalty and Faithfulness as Grounds for the Appeal The two covenant qualities cited—ḥesed and ʾĕmet—form a standard merism of Yahweh’s reliability (cf. Psalm 89:14). The appeal is not rooted in Israel’s merit but in God’s unchanging nature, reinforcing sola gratia long before the Reformation. Behavioral science recognizes that identity-based motivation (who God is) sustains devotion more effectively than performance-based motivation (what we do). Polemic Against Idolatry (Pss 115:2-8) Immediately after verse 1, the psalm ridicules idols that “have mouths but cannot speak.” The emphasis on Yahweh’s name is a deliberate contrast to mute idols whose “names” carry no power. Archaeological finds like the Ugaritic texts demonstrate ancient Near-Eastern cultures naming deities to invoke limited spheres (storm, fertility). By contrast, the divine Name YHWH encompasses all creation (Genesis 2:4), underscoring monotheistic supremacy. Historical and Archaeological Corroboration of the Divine Name The Ketef Hinnom silver scrolls (7th century BC) preserve the priestly blessing containing the tetragrammaton, predating the Babylonian exile and confirming continuity of the covenant Name. The Mesha Stele (c. 840 BC) likewise references “Yahweh,” corroborating the biblical narrative of Moabite conflict (2 Kings 3). These artifacts ground Psalm 115’s theological claims in verifiable history. Liturgical and Pastoral Function At Passover, families recited Psalm 115 while the lamb—type of Christ—lay in view. Emphasizing God’s Name prepared worshipers to interpret deliverance as divine grace, not national prowess. Early church writings (e.g., Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho 41) report that believers continued to employ the Hallel around the Lord’s Supper, transferring the focus from the Exodus to the crucifixion-resurrection event. Christological Fulfillment Jesus, bearing “the name above every name” (Philippians 2:9), embodies Psalm 115:1. His prayer in John 12:28—“Father, glorify Your name”—mirrors the psalm’s plea. The resurrection, attested by over five hundred eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6) and conceded by critical scholars, publicly vindicated that Name. Thus, honoring God’s Name climaxes in exalting the risen Messiah. Philosophical and Behavioral Implications Placing glory exclusively in God aligns with the teleological argument: purpose in creation directs praise to its Designer (Romans 1:20). Psychologically, gratitude toward an external benefactor fosters humility and social cohesion, findings corroborated by empirical studies on dispositional gratitude. Practical Application for Believers Today 1. Worship: Begin prayers by extolling God’s attributes rather than presenting requests (Matthew 6:9). 2. Service: Evaluate ministries by whether they magnify God’s reputation or personal brand. 3. Witness: When engaging skeptics, foreground God’s character—His loving devotion and faithfulness—rather than denominational distinctives. Conclusion God’s name is emphasized in Psalm 115:1 to redirect all glory from humanity to the covenant-keeping Creator, to ground that glory in His steadfast character, to contrast living deity with lifeless idols, to prepare the worshiper for Christ’s ultimate vindication of the Name, and to cultivate a life posture of humble, God-centered praise. |
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