Not to us, but to Your name give glory
Psalms 115:1 The psalmist’s realization of God’s mercy and kindness was fulfilled in our Savior.
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.”
Psalms 115:1 NASB1995
Today’s verse comes from a series of what are called the Egyptian Hallal psalms (Psalms 113 - 118) that were sung by Jews during their Passover celebrations. That makes it very likely that these words were sung by Jesus and the disciples on the night of the Last Supper at which He was betrayed and arrested, and the night before His crucifixion. With that thought in mind, we should study the words as they were on the lips of Jesus and in His heart during these last peaceful hours of His earthly life.
The first words “Not to us, O Lord, not to us” serve as a reminder that when God does wonderful things, all praise rightfully goes to Him, not to His people. This is true even when His people are involved in the works through prayer, praise, and worship. It is to His holy name that all honor and glory is given.
Spurgeon said this of the psalm:
“The repetition of the words, ‘Not unto us,’ would seem to indicate a very serious desire to renounce any glory which they might at any time have proudly appropriated to themselves, and it also sets forth the vehemence of their wish that God would at any cost to them magnify his own name.”1
Once again thinking of Jesus on that last night, the words of the psalm must have moved Him deeply. British evangelist, preacher, and Bible teacher G. Campbell Morgan noted that:
“No soul — neither that of the composer of the song, nor that of anyone who employs it — ever entered so completely into all its deep spiritual significance, as did the soul of Jesus, as, before passing out to Olivet, to Gethsemane, to Calvary, He sang it with that little group of men.”2
Why should God’s people give His name glory? “Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.” Lovingkindness is the translation of the Ancient Hebrew word חֶסֶד (ḥeseḏ), which the KJV translation also uses for mercy, kindness, and goodness. It can also be understood as God’s grace and loyal love to His people.
The apostle John, perhaps reflecting on Jesus singing this psalm during their last Passover meal together, wrote of this idea in John 1:17 — “grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” John, along with all others who follow Jesus, saw the psalmist’s realization of God’s mercy and kindness fulfilled in our Savior.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
God, I pray that You give me and my fellow believers a focused ambition to glorify You alone. As John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” I pray, Lord, that you remove all pride from us and remind us that anything that is good in us comes from You. May all of our lives be dedicated to ensuring that more people give glory to You. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org.
Spurgeon, Charles Haddon "The Treasury of David: Volume 3" (Psalms 111-150) (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 1988)
Morgan, G. Campbell "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Revell, 1959)