Psalm 115: The Main Character

I remember learning in school about the importance of identifying the main character in literature.  This is the person who the story is really about.  He or she is the central figure of the action, the one that defines everything else.  When it comes to our experience, many of us expect to be the star of our own story, or at least to see humanity in that role.  In reality, however, the main character of Creation is God.  Psalm 115 helps us see this truth.

The psalm begins with a desire that God would have the glory and praise due His name.  "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness" (vs. 1).  The psalmist is concerned for God's reputation, not his own.  He continues with an acknowledgement of God's ultimate power: "Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.  Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands" (vs. 3-4).

Can there be a greater contrast between God and the false idols described in verses 5 through 7?  They are mute, blind, deaf, senseless, unfeeling, unthinking.  Yet some people fall down and worship such inanimate objects.  Not so with Israel!  Their God is the real God, the author of Creation.  The psalmist sings of God, "The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth he has given to human beings" (vs. 16).  It is pretty clear who is really in charge.

The Christian virtue of humility is anchored in having a right view of ourselves as well as a right view of God.  Psalms like this help us remember Who the main character is!