Psalms 115:6
Psalms 115:6 in Multiple Translations
they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell;
They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
They have ears, but they hear not; Noses have they, but they smell not;
They have ears, but no hearing; they have noses, but no sense of smell;
They have ears, but can't hear. They have noses, but can't smell.
They haue eares and heare not: they haue noses and smelll not.
Ears they have, and they hear not, A nose they have, and they smell not,
They have ears, but they don’t hear. They have noses, but they don’t smell.
They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
They have ears, but they cannot hear anything; they have noses, but they cannot smell anything.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 115:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 115:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אָזְנַ֣יִם
לָ֭/הֶם
וְ/לֹ֣א
יִשְׁמָ֑עוּ
אַ֥ף
לָ֝/הֶ֗ם
וְ/לֹ֣א
יְרִיחֽוּ/ן
אָזְנַ֣יִם
ʼôzen
H241
ear
N-fd
לָ֭/הֶם
Prep | Suff
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יִשְׁמָ֑עוּ
shâmaʻ
H8085
to hear
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
אַ֥ף
ʼaph
H639
face
DirObjM
לָ֝/הֶ֗ם
Prep | Suff
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יְרִיחֽוּ/ן
rûwach
H7306
to smell
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 115:6
אָזְנַ֣יִם
ʼôzen
H241
"ear"
N-fd
The Hebrew word for ear, referring to the body part or the ability to hear, is used in various contexts, including listening to God's voice in Psalm 40:6. It can also mean to uncover or reveal something, as in 1 Samuel 20:2.
Definition: : ear 1) ear, as part of the body 2) ear, as organ of hearing 3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation
Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, audience, [phrase] displease, ear, hearing, [phrase] show. See also: Genesis 20:8; Psalms 40:7; Psalms 10:17.
לָ֭/הֶם
""
Prep | Suff
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִשְׁמָ֑עוּ
shâmaʻ
H8085
"to hear"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
אַ֥ף
ʼaph
H639
"face"
DirObjM
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.
לָ֝/הֶ֗ם
""
Prep | Suff
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יְרִיחֽוּ/ן
rûwach
H7306
"to smell"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp | Suff
This word means to smell or perceive, and is used in the Bible to describe how we sense and enjoy things, like a horse smelling its surroundings.
Definition: 1) (Hiphil) to smell, scent, perceive odour, accept 1a) of horse 1b) of delight (metaph)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: accept, smell, [idiom] touch, make of quick understanding. See also: Genesis 8:21; Judges 16:9; Psalms 115:6.
Study Notes — Psalms 115:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — To Your Name Be the Glory
4Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.
5They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;
6they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell;
7they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats. 8Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them.Psalms 115:6 Summary
This verse is saying that the idols people make are completely useless because they can't hear, smell, or do anything else. It's like having a toy that looks like a person but can't do anything. The Bible is teaching us that worshiping these idols is foolish because they have no power, as also seen in Isaiah 41:29, and that we should instead worship the one true God who is all-powerful and all-knowing, as stated in Jeremiah 10:6-10 and Psalms 96:5. By recognizing the emptiness of idols, we can turn our attention to the living God who loves us and wants a relationship with us, as written in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the idols having ears but not being able to hear?
This emphasizes the idols' powerlessness and lack of life, highlighting the foolishness of worshiping them, as seen in Psalms 115:5 where it is also stated they have eyes but cannot see, and in Isaiah 44:18 where it is written that the idol makers are ignorant of the truth.
How do the physical attributes of the idols relate to their inability to function?
The physical attributes, such as ears and noses, are mentioned to show that despite having the appearance of life, they are completely incapable of using these senses, much like it is written in Psalms 135:15-17 that the idols of the nations are mere images, and in Romans 1:23 that people exchange the glory of the immortal God for images.
What does this verse teach us about the nature of idolatry?
This verse teaches us that idolatry is the worship of lifeless, powerless objects, and that those who make and trust in these idols become like them, as stated in Psalms 115:8, and also warned against in Deuteronomy 4:15-16 and 2 Kings 17:15.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this verse by recognizing the idols in our own lives, whether they be physical objects or intangible things we prioritize over God, and turning away from them, as commanded in Exodus 20:3-5 and 1 John 5:21, to worship the one true living God.
Reflection Questions
- What are some modern-day idols that we might unknowingly be worshiping, and how can we identify them in our lives?
- In what ways do we try to give life or power to the lifeless things we prioritize, and how can we redirect that energy towards God?
- How does the description of the idols in this verse relate to the way we sometimes try to use our senses to experience God, and what does this teach us about the limits of human perception?
- What would it look like for us to 'become like' the idols we worship, and how can we avoid this by fixing our eyes on the living God, as encouraged in Hebrews 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 4:18?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 115:6
They have ears, but they hear not,.... The makers of them have taken care to place a pair of ears to their heads, but could not convey the faculty of hearing to them; so that though their priests may
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 115:6
They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have ears, but they hear not. Contrast with this and Psalms 115:5 the description of our God, Psalms 94:9.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 115:6
Psalms 115:6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:Ver. 6. They have ears, but they hear not] But are as deaf as door nails to the prayers of their suppliants. The Cretans pictured their Jupiter without ears; so little hearing or help they hoped for from him. Socrates, in contempt of heathen gods, swore by an oak, a goat, a dog; as holding these better gods than those. Varro saith, they that first brought in pictures to be worshipped, Ii civitatibus suis et metum dempserunt, et errorem addiderunt, took away fear, and brought in error (Aug. de Civit. Dei, lib. iv. cap. 31.) Noses have they, but they smell not] As the painter may paint a flower with fresh colours, but not with sweet savour, with this motto, No further than colours; so the carver may draw out an image, but not make it draw its breath, with this motto, No further than fashion.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 115:6
(4-8) This passage cannot compare with the magnificent irony of Isa 44:9-20, but there is still a noticeable vein of sarcasm running through it, visible even more in the original than in the English. (Comp. Psalms 135:15-18.)
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 115:6
4–8. Do the heathen taunt us with the impotence of our God? What are their own gods? Nothing but their own handiwork, destitute of ordinary human senses, though represented with organs of sense. For similar sarcastic descriptions of idols and the contrast between them and the living God, see Isaiah 44:9-20; Jeremiah 10:1-16 Deuteronomy 4:28; Isaiah 2:20; Habakkuk 2:18-19; Wis 15:15. The passage recurs in Psalms 135:15-18. Observe how completely the Psalmist identifies the god with the image: it has no separate existence.