CINXE.COM
Psalm 135:16 They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 135:16 They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/135-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/19_Psa_135_016.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 135:16 - Your Name, O LORD, Endures Forever" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/135-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/135-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/135.htm">Chapter 135</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/135-15.htm" title="Psalm 135:15">◄</a> Psalm 135:16 <a href="/psalms/135-17.htm" title="Psalm 135:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/135.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/135.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/135.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/135.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/135.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/135.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/135.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/135.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They have mouths, but they do not speak; They have eyes, but they do not see;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/135.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They have mouths, but they do not speak; They have eyes, but they do not see;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/135.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They have mouths, but they do not speak; They have eyes, but they do not see;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/135.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They have mouths, but they do not speak; They have eyes, but they do not see;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/135.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They have mouths, but they do not speak; They have eyes, but they do not see;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/135.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/135.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/135.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/135.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They have a mouth and eyes, but they can't speak or see. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/135.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/135.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They have mouths, but they cannot speak. They have eyes, but they cannot see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/135.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They have mouths, but cannot speak, and eyes, but cannot see. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/135.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Mouths are attributed to them, but they cannot speak; sight is attributed to them, but they cannot see;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/135.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/135.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/135.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They have mouths, but they can't speak. They have eyes, but they can't see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/135.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/135.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They have mouths, but they can’t speak. They have eyes, but they can’t see. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/135.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They have a mouth, and they do not speak, "" They have eyes, and they do not see,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/135.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A mouth they have, and they speak not, Eyes they have, and they see not,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/135.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A mouth to them, and they shall not speak; eyes to them, and they shall not see;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/135.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They have a mouth, but they speak not: they have eyes, but they see not. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/135.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 134:16>They have a mouth, and do not speak. They have eyes, and do not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/135.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They have mouths but do not speak; they have eyes but do not see; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/135.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/135.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/135.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />They have mouths and they do not speak; they have eyes and they do not see.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/135.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/135.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They have a mouth, but they cannot speak; they have eyes, but they cannot see;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/135-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=16852" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/135.htm">Your Name, O LORD, Endures Forever</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: peh- (N-ms) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">They have mouths,</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: Pro-3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but cannot</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: yə·ḏab·bê·rū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">speak;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·na·yim (N-cd) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">they have eyes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep-l:: Pro-3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but cannot</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: yir·’ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">see;</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-5.htm">Psalm 115:5-7</a></span><br />They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; / they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18</a></span><br />They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-5.htm">Jeremiah 10:5</a></span><br />Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/2-18.htm">Habakkuk 2:18-19</a></span><br />What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. / Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-28.htm">Deuteronomy 4:28</a></span><br />And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-26.htm">1 Kings 18:26-29</a></span><br />And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. / At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” / So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-6.htm">Isaiah 46:6-7</a></span><br />They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. / They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-17.htm">Jeremiah 51:17-18</a></span><br />Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them. / They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-2.htm">1 Corinthians 12:2</a></span><br />You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a></span><br />And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/12-2.htm">Ezekiel 12:2</a></span><br />“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a></span><br />This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/8-18.htm">Mark 8:18</a></span><br />‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-29.htm">Acts 17:29</a></span><br />Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;</p><p class="hdg">eyes have they</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm">Isaiah 6:10</a></b></br> Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Matthew 13:14-16</a></b></br> And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/132-4.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/psalms/126-2.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/psalms/126-2.htm">Mouths</a> <a href="/psalms/127-5.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/psalms/130-2.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/139-16.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/psalms/135-17.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/psalms/135-17.htm">Mouths</a> <a href="/psalms/139-20.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/psalms/140-6.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 135</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/135-1.htm">An exhortation to praise God for his mercy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/135-5.htm">For his power</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/135-8.htm">For his judgments</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/135-15.htm">The vanity of idols</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/135-19.htm">An exhortation to bless God</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/135.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/135.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They have mouths, but cannot speak;</b><br>This phrase highlights the impotence of idols, contrasting them with the living God who speaks to His people. In the ancient Near Eastern context, idols were often crafted with human features to represent deities, yet they lacked the ability to communicate. This is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing the futility of idol worship (see <a href="/isaiah/44-13.htm">Isaiah 44:13-20</a>). The inability of idols to speak underscores their powerlessness and the foolishness of relying on them for guidance or revelation. In contrast, the God of Israel is a speaking God, as seen in His communication through the prophets and ultimately through Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh (<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a>).<p><b>they have eyes, but cannot see;</b><br>This phrase further illustrates the lifelessness of idols. Despite being fashioned with eyes, they are blind and unable to perceive or respond to the needs of their worshippers. This imagery is used throughout the Bible to mock the senselessness of idol worship (see <a href="/psalms/115-5.htm">Psalm 115:5-7</a>). The true God, however, is all-seeing and all-knowing, aware of the plight of His people and responsive to their cries (<a href="/psalms/34-15.htm">Psalm 34:15</a>). This contrast points to the superiority of the God of Israel over the false gods of the nations. In the New Testament, Jesus is portrayed as the one who gives sight to the blind, both physically and spiritually, fulfilling the prophetic vision of a God who truly sees and acts (<a href="/luke/4-18.htm">Luke 4:18-19</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/psalmist.htm">Psalmist</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/135.htm">Psalm 135</a>, traditionally attributed to King David, who is expressing the futility of idol worship.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/idols.htm">Idols</a></b><br>The central focus of this verse, representing man-made objects of worship that are lifeless and powerless.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to whom the Psalm is directed, reminding them of the living God in contrast to lifeless idols.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/pagan_nations.htm">Pagan Nations</a></b><br>The surrounding cultures that worshipped idols, serving as a backdrop for the Psalmist's message.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/temple_worship.htm">Temple Worship</a></b><br>The context in which this Psalm would have been sung, emphasizing the worship of the one true God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_idolatry.htm">The Futility of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idols, though crafted with human skill, are ultimately powerless and cannot fulfill the needs of the worshiper. This serves as a reminder to place our trust in the living God rather than in man-made objects or concepts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_living_god_vs._lifeless_idols.htm">The Living God vs. Lifeless Idols</a></b><br>The contrast between the living God and lifeless idols is stark. God speaks, sees, and acts in the world, unlike idols that are mute and blind. This encourages believers to seek a relationship with a God who is active and present.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/modern_idolatry.htm">Modern Idolatry</a></b><br>While physical idols may not be as prevalent today, modern idolatry can take the form of money, power, or status. Believers are called to examine their lives for anything that takes precedence over God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_true_worship.htm">The Importance of True Worship</a></b><br>Worship should be directed to God alone, who is worthy of praise and capable of responding to His people. This calls for sincerity and devotion in our worship practices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>In a world filled with distractions and false promises, believers are reminded to trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to see and respond to our needs.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/135-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They have mouths</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּֽה־</span> <span class="translit">(peh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but cannot</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">speak,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְדַבֵּ֑רוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḏab·bê·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵינַ֥יִם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·na·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - cd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but cannot</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">see.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִרְאֽוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yir·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/135-16.htm">Psalm 135:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/135-16.htm">Psalm 135:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/135-16.htm">Psalm 135:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/135-16.htm">Psalm 135:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/135-16.htm">Psalm 135:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/135-16.htm">Psalm 135:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/135-16.htm">Psalm 135:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/135-16.htm">Psalm 135:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/135-16.htm">Psalm 135:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/135-16.htm">Psalm 135:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/135-16.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 135:16 They have mouths but they can't speak (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/135-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 135:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 135:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/135-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 135:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 135:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>