Psalms 115:12
The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֮
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֮
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
זְכָרָ֪נוּ
hath been mindful
H2142
זְכָרָ֪נוּ
hath been mindful
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
יְ֝בָרֵ֗ךְ
he will bless
H1288
יְ֝בָרֵ֗ךְ
he will bless
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
3 of 11
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
יְ֝בָרֵ֗ךְ
he will bless
H1288
יְ֝בָרֵ֗ךְ
he will bless
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
4 of 11
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֥ית
the house
H1004
בֵּ֥ית
the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
6 of 11
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 11
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יְ֝בָרֵ֗ךְ
he will bless
H1288
יְ֝בָרֵ֗ךְ
he will bless
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
8 of 11
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Psalms 136:23Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:Ephesians 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:Isaiah 44:21Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.Galatians 3:29And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.Psalms 25:7Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.Psalms 67:7God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.Acts 3:26Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.Genesis 8:1And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;Galatians 3:14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.Acts 10:4And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
Historical Context
Post-exilic Israel needed assurance that God still remembered them. The exile had seemed like divine forgetfulness or abandonment. The returnees faced hardship, opposition, and modest circumstances. Psalm 115's liturgical structure served to rebuild communal confidence: God remembered us in the past (Exodus deliverance), God remembers us now, therefore God will bless us in the future. This past-present-future movement characterizes covenant faith. The Aaronic benediction (Numbers 6:24-26) similarly pronounced threefold blessing, a pattern echoing through Israel's worship.
Questions for Reflection
- How does rehearsing God's past faithfulness ('hath been mindful') strengthen confidence in His future blessing?
- What is the relationship between God 'remembering' us and actively blessing us?
- How does the corporate, liturgical nature of this assurance (blessing different groups within the community) inform Christian ecclesiology and worship?
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. This verse transitions from exhortation (trust!) to assurance (He blesses!). The Hebrew zakar (זָכַר, to remember, be mindful) doesn't imply God forgot but rather that He acts on behalf of those He remembers. God 'remembered' Noah (Genesis 8:1), Hannah (1 Samuel 1:19), and His covenant (Exodus 2:24)—always with saving action.
The threefold repetition he will bless (yebarekh, יְבָרֵךְ) emphasizes certainty and comprehensiveness. Future tense indicates confident expectation based on God's character and past faithfulness. The blessings extend to all groups previously exhorted: general Israel, the Aaronic priests, and (v. 13) those who fear the LORD.
The structure creates a liturgical rhythm, likely antiphonal in temple worship. One group declares God's mindfulness (v. 12a), another responds with triple assurance of blessing (v. 12b-c). Corporate worship rehearses divine faithfulness, building communal faith. This anticipates the New Covenant blessing where God remembers His people through Christ's mediation and blesses them with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).