Old Testament

Psalms 135:18

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

This verse highlights the futility of idol worship.

Author: David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and others
Written: Around 1000-500 BC
Genre: Poetry and worship
Original Audience: Worshipers of Israel

CBTClear Bible Translation

Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.

KJVKing James Version

They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

This verse highlights the futility of idol worship. It suggests that those who create idols, which are often made of wood or stone, become like the lifeless objects they craft. In a broader sense, it implies that people who place their trust in these idols will also become spiritually empty and lifeless. The verse serves as a warning against relying on anything other than God for guidance and support. It emphasizes the importance of faith in the living God, contrasting the vitality of true worship with the deadness of idolatry. By trusting in God, believers are called to reflect His character and life, rather than the lifelessness of their creations. This serves as a reminder to evaluate what we place our trust in and to seek a relationship with the true source of life and strength.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Psalms 135:18 to your life

Reflect on what you place your trust in daily. Are there areas in your life where you rely on material things or false beliefs instead of God? Shift your focus to building a deeper relationship with God, who offers true life and guidance.

Curated for this public verse page. Psalms Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Psalms 135:18 say about idol worship?

Psalms 135:18 emphasizes the futility of idol worship by stating that those who create and trust in idols become like the lifeless objects they make. This verse serves as a warning against relying on anything other than God, highlighting that true faith should be placed in the living God who offers guidance and support.

How can I apply Psalms 135:18 to my life?

To apply Psalms 135:18, reflect on what you trust in daily. Consider if you are relying on material possessions, relationships, or false beliefs instead of God. Shift your focus towards building a deeper relationship with God, who provides true life and direction, and evaluate your priorities to ensure they align with faith in Him.

Why is trust in God emphasized in Psalms 135:18?

Trust in God is emphasized in Psalms 135:18 because it contrasts the deadness of idols with the vitality of a relationship with the living God. The verse encourages believers to place their faith in God, who is alive and active, rather than in lifeless objects that cannot provide true guidance or support.

What are the consequences of idol worship according to Psalms 135:18?

The consequences of idol worship, as indicated in Psalms 135:18, include spiritual emptiness and a loss of true purpose. Those who trust in idols become like them—lifeless and devoid of spiritual vitality. This serves as a reminder to seek a genuine relationship with God, who offers real life and fulfillment.

Book Summary

The Book of Psalms

Psalm 1: Two Paths

This psalm describes two paths. The blessed person does not follow the counsel of the ungodly, does not stand in the way of sinners, and does not sit among the scornful. Instead, this person delights in the law of the LORD and thinks on it day and night.

That person is compared to a tree planted by streams of water that produces fruit in season and keeps its leaf from withering, and their way prospers. The ungodly are not like that; they are like chaff driven by the wind. The psalm ends by saying the ungodly do not stand in the judgment or remain among the righteous, because the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly perishes. Psalm 2: The Anointed King This psalm speaks about nations and rulers stirring up unrest and setting themselves against the LORD and against his Anointed. They speak as if they can break free from God's rule, as though his bonds can be thrown off. The LORD who sits in the heavens responds with scorn and speaks in his wrath. He declares his king set upon Zion, and the Anointed speaks of the decree: he is called the Son and is given the nations for an inheritance. The psalm warns kings and judges to be wise, to serve the LORD with fear, and to rejoice with trembling, ending with a call to honor the Son and a statement that blessed are all who trust in him. Psalm 3: A Psalm of David (Fleeing from Absalom) A Psalm of David, when he flees from Absalom his son. David speaks of many enemies rising up against him and many voices saying there is no help for him in God. He describes pressure on every side and the shame those words bring. David then speaks directly of the LORD as his shield, his glory, and the one who lifts up his head. He says he cries to the LORD and receives an answer from God's holy hill, and he lies down and sleeps because the LORD sustains him. He says he is not afraid though tens of thousands set themselves against him, and he calls on the LORD to arise, asking for deliverance and blessing for God's people.

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