Psalm 115 is the 115th psalm of the Book of Psalms in the Hebrew Bible, beginning in English in the King James Version of the Christian Bible: "Not unto us, O , not unto us, but unto thy Name give glory". It is part of the Egyptian Hallel sequence in the fifth division of the Book of Psalms.
In the slightly different numbering system in the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate version of the Bible, this psalm forms the second part of Psalm 113, counted as verses 9–26 of Psalm 113, with verses 1–8 being Psalm 114 in Hebrew numbering.See, for example, in the Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition In Latin, that part is known as "non nobis".Parallel Latin/English Psalter / Psalmus 113 (115) medievalist.net
According to Alexander Kirkpatrick, Psalm 115 "was probably composed for use in the [Second] Temple services after the Return from Babylon", perhaps when the first flush of enthusiasm had died away and the little community in Jerusalem realised how weak it was in the eyes of its neighbours.Kirkpatrick, A. (1906), Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on Psalm 115, accessed 22 May 2022
The beginning has been used for building inscriptions, such as the Ca' Vendramin Calergi. Verse 16 ("The earth has been given to the children of men"), among other things, motivated John McConnell to create Earth Day.
Psalm 115 is used as a regular part of Jewish, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and various Protestant liturgies. It has often been set to music, such as a setting in German by Heinrich Schütz for three four-part choirs of voices and instruments, and Bach's early wedding cantata . During the Romantic period, Felix Mendelssohn set the psalm in German, Gustav Holst in English, and Albert Kellermann in Hebrew.
Uses In Judaism Psalm 115 is one of six psalms (113–118) of which Hallel is composed. On all days when Hallel is recited, this psalm is recited in its entirety, except on Rosh Chodesh and the last six days of Passover, when only verses 1–11 are recited.Scherman, Zlotowitz (2003). The Complete Artscroll Siddur, p. 635. Verse 18 is the final verse of Ashrei.The Complete Artscroll Siddur, p. 68 It is also recited by some Jews following Psalm 126 preceding Birkat Hamazon.The Complete Artscroll Siddur, p. 183
In Christianity The Latin hymn "Non nobis" is based on Psalm 115. Several clergymen chose the beginning for their motto as an expression of humility, including the Italian archbishop Giuseppe SiriSpiazzi, Raimondo: Il Cardinale Giuseppe Siri, Arcivescovo di Genova dal 1946 al 1987: la vita, l'insegnamento, l'eredità spirituale, le memorie (in Italian) Edizioni Studio Domenicano. 1990. p. 260. ISBN 978-8-87-094018-3 and the Filipino archbishop José S. Palma.Mayol, Ador Vincent S.: Book on Palma "a personal, Church narrative of faith" Cebu Daily News. 13 September 2015 The first verse in Latin, "Non Nobis Domine" became the motto of the Knights Templar.Associazione Cattolici d'Italia, Non nobis Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam, templarstoday.org, accessed 22 May 2022Non Nobis Domine knightstemplar-wales.org
Other uses The beginning has been used for inscriptions on buildings, notably the Venetian Ca' Vendramin Calergi which is even known by the Latin "Non Nobis Domine".Ca' Vendramin Calergi and the Wagner Museum: a symphony on the Grand Canal visitvenezia.eu Psalm 113 in the Vulgate numbering is said to have been used as a memorial and thanksgiving by Henry V after the Battle of Agincourt:
Verse 16, "The earth has been given to the children of men", is used by the philosopher John Locke in his argument that the whole human race holds the natural world in common ownership, at the start of his argument for the right of individuals to own personal property,Locke, J. (1690), The Project Gutenberg eBook of Second Treatise of Government, chapter V, digitized by Dave Gowan, accessed on 28 January 2025 and it was quoted by peace activist John McConnell as an inspiration to create Earth Day, as a call to preserve the Earth and to share resources.
Music In his collection Psalmen Davids of psalms, hymns and motets, Heinrich Schütz set Psalm 115 in German "Nicht uns, Herr", for three four-part choirs of voices and instruments, SWV 43. Schütz also set a metric poem for the Becker Psalter, "Nicht uns, nicht uns, Herr, lieber Gott", SWV 213.Veen, Johan van: Heinrich Schütz (1585–1672) / Complete Works – Volume 15 / Becker-Psalter, Op. 5 musicweb-international.com November 2017
Johann Sebastian Bach based his early wedding cantata , on verses 12 to 15 of Psalm 115 which speak of God's blessing especially for families.
Joseph Haydn wrote a four-part setting of the first verse in Latin for choir a cappella as an offertory hymn, published by Carus in 2009.Non nobis Domine Carus-Verlag 2009 In 1835, Felix Mendelssohn set Psalm 115 in German, Nicht unserm Namen, Herr, Op. 31, for soprano solo, SATB choir and orchestra.Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Thematisch-systematisches Verzeichnis der musikalischen Werke (MWV) von Ralf Wehner Sächsische Akademie der Wissenschaften Gustav Holst wrote a setting in English, "Not Unto Us, O Lord", for mixed chorus and organ or piano in the 1890s.
Albert Kellermann included Psalm 115 in a collection of Sechs liturgische Psalmen (6 liturgical psalms) in 1913, setting them in Hebrew for choir, soloists and organ. When Siegfried Matthus wrote the libretto to his opera Judith, based on Friedrich Hebbel's Judith and premiered in 1985, he included verses from the Old Testament including Psalm 115.Neef, Sigrid: Judith. In: Deutsche Oper im 20. Jahrhundert – DDR 1949–1989. (in German) Lang, Berlin 1992, , pp. 350–359. Gerald Cohen set the psalm in Hebrew for SATB chorus and piano in 1987.Compositions for chorus, with or without instrumental accompaniment geraldcohenmusic.com
Text The following table shows the Hebrew text of the Psalm with vowels, alongside the Koine Greek text in the Septuagint and the English translation from the King James Version. Note that the meaning can slightly differ between these versions, as the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text come from different textual traditions.A 1917 translation directly from Hebrew to English by the Jewish Publication Society can be found here or here, and an 1844 translation directly from the Septuagint by L. C. L. Brenton can be found here. Both translations are in the public domain. In the Septuagint, this is the second part of Psalm 113, with its first part being Psalm 114 in the Masoretic numbering. #HebrewEnglishGreek 1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. 2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? 3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. 5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: 6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: 7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. 8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. 9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. 10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. 11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield. 12 The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. 13 He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. 14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. 15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. 16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. 17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. 18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.
Latin Vulgate Following is the Latin text of Psalm 115 (113b): Verse Latin 1 Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam super misericordia tua et veritate tua. 2 Quare dicent gentes: “Ubi est Deus eorum?”. 3 Deus autem noster in caelo; omnia, quaecumque voluit, fecit. 4 Simulacra gentium argentum et aurum, opera manuum hominum. 5 Os habent et non loquentur, oculos habent et non videbunt. 6 Aures habent et non audient, nares habent et non odorabunt. 7 Manus habent et non palpabunt, pedes habent et non ambulabunt; non clamabunt in gutture suo. 8 Similes illis erunt, qui faciunt ea, et omnes, qui confidunt in eis. 9 Domus Israel speravit in Domino: adiutorium eorum et scutum eorum est. 10 Domus Aaron speravit in Domino: adiutorium eorum et scutum eorum est. 11 Qui timent Dominum, speraverunt in Domino: adiutorium eorum et scutum eorum est. 12 Dominus memor fuit nostri et benedicet nobis: benedicet domui Israel, benedicet domui Aaron, 13 benedicet omnibus, qui timent Dominum, pusillis cum maioribus. 14 Adiciat Dominus super vos, super vos et super filios vestros. 15 Benedicti vos a Domino, qui fecit caelum et terram. 16 Caeli, caeli sunt Domino, terram autem dedit filiis hominum. 17 Non mortui laudabunt te, Domine, neque omnes, qui descendunt in silentium, 18 sed nos, qui vivimus, benedicimus Domino ex hoc nunc et usque in saeculum.
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Psalms Chapter 115 text in Hebrew and English, mechon-mamre.org Text of Psalm 115 according to the 1928 Psalter United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Not to us, LORD, not to us / but to your name give glory text and footnotes, usccb.org Psalm 115:1 introduction and text, biblestudytools.com Psalm 115 – The LORD Our Help and Shield enduringword.com Psalm 115 / Refrain: The Lord has been mindful of us and he will bless us. Church of England Psalm 115 at biblegateway.com Charles Spurgeon: Psalm 115 detailed commentary, archive.spurgeon.org