135:15 The nations’ idols are made of silver and gold,
they are man-made. 1
135:16 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see,
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.
135:19 O family 4 of Israel, praise the Lord!
O family of Aaron, praise the Lord!
135:20 O family of Levi, praise the Lord!
You loyal followers 5 of the Lord, praise the Lord!
1 tn Heb “the work of the hands of man.”
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.”
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.”
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.
4 tn Heb “house” (here and in the next two lines).
5 tn Heb “fearers.”