Bible Strands
Psalms 115:17
It is not the dead who praise the LORD, nor any who descend into silence.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the worshiping assembly, placing this declaration between a statement on God’s ownership of the heavens and earth and a vow of ongoing praise. The moment functions as a boundary marker separating divine sovereignty from human response.
The words — The Hebrew meṯîm (the dead) and dûmâh (silence) carry the verse’s literal sense. These terms denote the deceased and the quiet state of descent, establishing death as a realm devoid of vocal worship.
The thread — This motif runs through Psalms 6:5, Isaiah 38:18, and Psalms 88:10. Each passage explicitly ties Sheol or the grave to the inability to mention, thank, or praise Yahweh.
Why it lands — The text states that praise requires the living, conscious breath of those on earth. It asks the reader to actively bless the Lord now, recognizing that worship does not continue after descent into silence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.
Cross-references
- Psalms 6:5 For there is no mention of You in death; who can praise You from Sheol?
- Isaiah 38:18 For Sheol cannot thank You; Death cannot praise You. Those who descend to the Pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.
- Psalms 88:10 Do You work wonders for the dead? Do departed spirits rise up to praise You? Selah
- Psalms 30:9 “What gain is there in my bloodshed, in my descent to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your faithfulness?
- Psalms 31:17 O LORD, let me not be ashamed, for I have called on You. Let the wicked be put to shame; let them lie silent in Sheol.
- 1 Samuel 2:9 He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail.