Psalms 115:8
They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
Original Language Analysis
יִהְי֣וּ
H1961
יִהְי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 7
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עֹשֵׂיהֶ֑ם
They that make
H6213
עֹשֵׂיהֶ֑ם
They that make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 7
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כֹּ֭ל
H3605
כֹּ֭ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 7
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
Israel's history demonstrated this principle repeatedly. When Israel worshiped golden calves, they became spiritually deaf to prophetic warnings. When they trusted in political alliances rather than God, they became as unstable as those alliances. The exile to Babylon was divine pedagogy—let them see the impotence of idols firsthand. Surrounded by magnificent Babylonian temples and elaborate rituals, faithful Jews learned that external religious impressiveness means nothing if the deity is false.
Questions for Reflection
- What evidence is there in contemporary culture that people 'become like' their functional gods (wealth, power, pleasure)?
- How does understanding worship as transformative (rather than merely expressive) change your approach to corporate and private devotion?
- In what specific ways has beholding Christ through Scripture and Spirit transformed you into His likeness?
Analysis & Commentary
They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. This is the devastating conclusion: idol makers become like their idols. The Hebrew damah (דָּמָה, to be like, resemble) indicates not just similarity but transformation into likeness. Those who craft and trust in lifeless, senseless objects become spiritually lifeless and senseless themselves.
The progression is theological and psychological. What we worship shapes us. Trusting in blind idols produces spiritual blindness (2 Corinthians 4:4). Depending on deaf gods creates deaf hearts (Matthew 13:15). Humans are inherently worshiping beings; the question is never whether we worship but what. False worship doesn't leave us neutral—it deforms us into the image of our false gods.
This principle finds New Testament development in Romans 1:21-25, where idolatry leads to futile thinking and darkened hearts. Conversely, beholding the true God transforms believers 'from glory to glory' into Christ's image (2 Corinthians 3:18). Worship is inherently transformative; we become like what we behold.