Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
Psalms 115:1-18.-Yahweh, vindicate the glory of thy name, at stake in thy people's misery (Psalms 115:1); let not the pagan taunt us, Where is their God? for our God is in heaven, and doth what He wills; but the idols are vanity as are their makers and their worshippers (Psalms 115:2-8); Israel should trust in Yahweh as their shield, who blesses them that fear Him (Psalms 115:9-15); as heaven is the Lord's, so the earth He hath given to men; He will not suffer His people to be cast into the silent grave by their foes, but will be the subject of their earthly praises (Psalms 115:16-18). The time was after the captivity, when God had shown Himself "mindful" of His people (Psalms 115:12), a pledge that He would still bless them. "The house of Aaron" (Psalms 115:10), the priests, were then the main leaders of the people.
Not unto us, O Lord ... but unto thy name give glory. Israel implies, though not directly, yet virtually, We ask for thy succour, not for any merit in us, which we are sensible does not exist, but for the glory of thy name, which is at stake in our preservation. So Daniel pleads, Daniel 9:18 (cf. Psalms 79:9-10; and God's reply, Isaiah 43:22-25; Isaiah 48:11, "For mine own sake ... will I do it: for how should my name be polluted?" Ezek. 26:32). As His 'mercy and truth' called forth His glorious manifestation of Himself in past acts (which manifestation constitutes His name); so these attributes are now appealed to as the ground for new acts in vindication of His name or manifestation as merciful and true. He has mercy on His people, and is ever true to His promises to name or manifestation as merciful and true. He has mercy on His people, and is ever true to His promises to them.