they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths.
The Psalmist calls on all God's servants, whether those who stand in the temple itself or in its courts, to praise His name, not as a vague sentiment, but as praise of God in His actual infinite essence: His being, holiness, goodness, and truth. We praise what He truly is.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 135:1-21
They have ears, and very large ones, too, if we remember certain of the Hindu idols. But they hear not. Useless are their ears; in fact, they are mere counterfeits and deceits. Ears which men make are always deaf: the secret of hearing is wrapped up with the mystery of life, and both are in the unsearchable mind of the Lord.
The heathen carved gods with eyes, ears, mouths, nostrils, yet could neither see, hear, speak, nor breathe. The foolishness is that reasonable creatures should expect anything from such mock-deities, and the worshippers become as senseless as the idols they trust. We who worship the true God in Spirit must be spiritual and wise.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 135:15-21