◄ Psalm 115:3 ►
Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.
Study Bible
Our God
This phrase establishes a personal relationship between the believers and the divine. In Hebrew, the word for God here is "Elohim," which is a plural form often used to denote majesty and power. The use of "our" signifies a communal faith, emphasizing that God is not distant but intimately involved with His people. Historically, this reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God chose them as His people, and they acknowledged Him as their God.

is in heaven
This phrase underscores the transcendence and sovereignty of God. The Hebrew word for heaven, "shamayim," often denotes the sky or the abode of God, signifying His exalted position above all creation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, gods were often associated with specific locations or natural phenomena, but the God of Israel is depicted as reigning from the highest heavens, beyond the limitations of the physical world. This highlights His supreme authority and the belief that His perspective and power are far above human understanding.

He does
The verb here, derived from the Hebrew "asah," means to make or do. It conveys the active and dynamic nature of God’s will and actions. Unlike idols, which are powerless and inert, God is portrayed as living and active, continually involved in the affairs of the world. This reflects the biblical narrative of a God who is not only the Creator but also the Sustainer and Ruler of all things.

as He pleases
This phrase speaks to the absolute freedom and sovereignty of God. The Hebrew root "chaphets" implies delight or pleasure, suggesting that God’s actions are not arbitrary but are in accordance with His perfect will and purpose. In the biblical context, this is a reassurance to believers that God’s plans are ultimately for good, even when they are beyond human comprehension. It affirms the doctrine of divine providence, where God’s will is both irresistible and benevolent, guiding history towards His intended end.

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.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's sovereignty as described in Psalm 115:3 impact your daily decision-making and trust in Him?

2. In what ways can you align your prayers with the acknowledgment that "He does as He pleases"?

3. How can the assurance of God's sovereignty bring comfort during times of uncertainty or difficulty?

4. Reflect on a time when you saw God's sovereign hand at work in your life. How did that experience strengthen your faith?

5. How can you encourage others to trust in God's sovereignty, especially when they are facing trials or doubts?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 46:10
This verse speaks of God's declaration of the end from the beginning, highlighting His sovereign will and purpose.

Daniel 4:35
Illustrates God's dominion over the earth and His ability to act according to His will without hindrance.

Ephesians 1:11
Discusses God's purpose and His working of all things according to the counsel of His will, reinforcing His sovereignty.

Job 42:2
Job acknowledges that no purpose of God can be thwarted, aligning with the theme of divine sovereignty.

Matthew 6:10
The Lord's Prayer includes a petition for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, reflecting submission to His sovereign will.
Sermons
The Sovereignty of GodG. Burder.Psalm 115:3
Genuine Religious ConsciousnessHomilistPsalm 115:1-18
Giving God the GloryT. De Witt Talmage.Psalm 115:1-18
Glory to God for Public BlessingsBishop Smalridge.Psalm 115:1-18
Non Nobis, DominePsalm 115:1-18
The Heathen Taunt, and What Came of itS. Conway Psalm 115:1-18
The Honor Due to GodC. Short Psalm 115:1-18
People
Aaron, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Heaven, Heavens, Pleased, Pleases, Pleasing, Whatever, Whatsoever
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 115:3

     1130   God, sovereignty
     1305   God, activity of
     1443   revelation, OT
     5216   authority, nature of
     5955   strength, divine

Psalm 115:2-7

     1080   God, living

Psalm 115:2-8

     8780   materialism, and sin

Psalm 115:2-11

     8023   faith, necessity

Psalm 115:3-7

     5132   biting

Psalm 115:3-8

     6708   predestination

Library
The Warning
"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered abroad. Howbeit, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said unto Him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that thou today, even this night, before the cock crow twice, shalt deny me thrice. But he spake exceeding …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

Letter xxxiv. To Marcella.
In reply to a request from Marcella for information concerning two phrases in Ps. cxxvii. ("bread of sorrow," v. 2, and "children of the shaken off," A.V. "of the youth," v. 4). Jerome, after lamenting that Origen's notes on the psalm are no longer extant, gives the following explanations: The Hebrew phrase "bread of sorrow" is rendered by the LXX. "bread of idols"; by Aquila, "bread of troubles"; by Symmachus, "bread of misery." Theodotion follows the LXX. So does Origen's Fifth Version. The Sixth …
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Christian Graces.
FAITH. FAITH! Peter saith, faith, in the very trial of it, is much more precious than gold that perisheth. If so, what is the worth or value that is in the grace itself? Faith is so great an artist in arguing and reasoning with the soul, that it will bring over the hardest heart that it hath to deal with. It will bring to my remembrance at once, both my vileness against God, and his goodness towards me; it will show me, that though I deserve not to breathe in the air, yet God will have me an heir …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of Idols a Defection from the True God.
1. God is opposed to idols, that all may know he is the only fit witness to himself. He expressly forbids any attempt to represent him by a bodily shape. 2. Reasons for this prohibition from Moses, Isaiah, and Paul. The complaint of a heathen. It should put the worshipers of idols to shame. 3. Consideration of an objection taken from various passages in Moses. The Cherubim and Seraphim show that images are not fit to represent divine mysteries. The Cherubim belonged to the tutelage of the Law. 4. …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."--Jer. vi. 16. Reverence for the old paths is a chief Christian duty. We look to the future indeed with hope; yet this need not stand in the way of our dwelling on the past days of the Church with affection and deference. This is the feeling of our own Church, as continually expressed in the Prayer Book;--not to slight what has gone before, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Messiah Derided Upon the Cross
All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. F allen man, though alienated from the life of God, and degraded with respect to many of his propensities and pursuits, to a level with the beasts that perish, is not wholly destitute of kind and compassionate feelings towards his fellow-creatures. While self-interest does not interfere, and the bitter passions …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Last Supper
189. On Thursday Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem for the last time. Knowing the temper of the leaders, and the danger of arrest at any time, Jesus was particularly eager to eat the Passover with his disciples (Luke xxii. 15), and he sent two of them--Luke names them as Peter and John--to prepare for the supper. In a way which would give no information to such a one as Judas, he directed them carefully how to find the house where a friend would provide them the upper room that was needed …
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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