Psalms 115:6

6 They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell.

Psalms 115:6 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
English Standard Version (ESV)
6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
New Living Translation (NLT)
6 They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell.
The Message Bible (MSG)
6 Tin ears that can't hear, molded noses that can't smell,
American Standard Version (ASV)
6 They have ears, but they hear not; Noses have they, but they smell not;
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
6 They have ears, but they cannot hear. They have noses, but they cannot smell.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6 They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
6 They have ears, but they can't hear. They have noses, but they can't smell.

Psalms 115:6 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 115:6

They have ears, but they hear not
The makers of them have taken care to place a pair of ears to their heads, but could not convey the faculty of hearing to them; so that though their priests may cry from morning to noon, as Baal's worshippers did, saying, O Baal, hear us; and even tonight, and one day and night after another, nothing is heard, ( 1 Kings 18:26 1 Kings 18:27 ) . Indeed the image of Jupiter at Crete was made without ears; because it was thought unbecoming that he, who was prince and lord of all, should give ear to any F25: but the God of heaven and earth is a God hearing prayer; his ear is not heavy, that it cannot hear; his ears are always open to the cries of his people.

Noses have they, but they smell not;
the incense that is set before them, nor the sacrifices offered to them, ( Deuteronomy 4:28 ) , but our God smelled a sweet savour in legal sacrifices, offered up in the faith of the Messiah; and especially he smells a sweet savour in the sacrifice of his Son, and in the prayers of his saints, which are sweet odours; and particularly as they come to him perfumed with the incense of Christ's mediation, ( Genesis 8:21 ) ( Ephesians 5:2 ) ( Revelation 5:8 ) ( Revelation 8:3 Revelation 8:4 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F25 Plutarch. de Isid. & Osir. prope finem.

Psalms 115:6 In-Context

4 But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.
6 They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.