Mazmur 135:15

135:15 The nations’ idols are made of silver and gold,

they are man-made. ¹ 

Mazmur 135:17-18

135:17 and ears, but cannot hear.

Indeed, they cannot breathe. ² 

135:18 Those who make them will end up ³  like them,

as will everyone who trusts in them.

Mazmur 135:21

135:21 The Lord deserves praise in Zion ⁴  –

he who dwells in Jerusalem. ⁵ 

Praise the Lord!

[135:15]  ¹ tn Heb “the work of the hands of man.”

[135:17]  ² tn Heb “indeed, there is not breath in their mouth.” For the collocation אַף אֵין (’af ’en, “indeed, there is not”) see Isa 41:26. Another option is to take אַף as “nose” (see Ps 115:6), in which case one might translate, “a nose, [but] they have no breath in their mouths.”

[135:18]  ³ tn Heb “will be.” Another option is to take the prefixed verbal form as a prayer, “may those who make them end up like them.”

[135:18]  sn Because the idols are lifeless, they cannot help their worshipers in times of crisis. Consequently the worshipers end up as dead as the gods in which they trust.

[135:21]  ⁴ tn Heb “praised be the Lord from Zion.”

[135:21]  ⁵ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.