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Psalm 115:3
But our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases.
1Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for your loving kindness, and for your truth’s sake.
2Why should the nations say, “Where is their God, now?”
3But our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases.
4Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
5They have mouths, but they don’t speak. They have eyes, but they don’t see.
Notice
God’s freedom to do whatever he pleases can bring relief and resistance, especially when his purposes differ from the outcome you want.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What comforts or troubles you about the words “He does whatever he pleases.”?
Write on thisHow does the contrast with handmade idols shape your understanding of God’s freedom to act?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 135:6Whatever the LORD pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.Both psalms declare that God does whatever pleases him, with Psalm 135 extending the description across heaven, earth, and sea.
Job 23:13But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? What his soul desires, even that he does.Both texts speak of God doing what he desires, with Job stressing that no one can oppose him.
Daniel 4:35All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and …Both passages affirm God’s freedom to act according to his will, while Daniel names heaven and earth as realms of his rule.
Isaiah 46:10I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. I say: My counsel will stand, and I will do all that I please.Both texts affirm that God accomplishes what pleases him; Isaiah also speaks of his counsel standing through time.
Matthew 6:9Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.Both locate God in heaven, with the psalm declaring his freedom to act and Jesus teaching prayer to the Father.
Ephesians 1:11We were also assigned an inheritance in him, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who does all things after the counsel of his will,Both describe God acting according to his own will, with Ephesians connecting that purpose to an inheritance in Christ.
Psalm 103:19The LORD has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all.Both psalms connect God’s place in the heavens with his authority, expressed through his actions or his rule over all.
Romans 9:19You will say then to me, “Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?”God’s will is central to both texts: the psalm declares his freedom, while Romans records an objection about resisting his will.
Daniel 3:17If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.Both express confidence in God’s power to act; Daniel’s speakers name deliverance from the furnace and the king’s hand.
Romans 4:21and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was also able to perform.Both affirm God’s ability to act, though Romans focuses on his ability to carry out what he has promised.
Jonah 1:14Therefore they cried to the LORD, and said, “We beg you, LORD, we beg you, don’t let us die for this man’s life, and don’t lay on us innocent blood; for you, …Both acknowledge that the Lord does what pleases him, with Jonah’s sailors making that confession within a plea for mercy.
Psalm 2:4He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision.Both portray God in the heavens, beyond human challenge; Psalm 2 describes his laughter, while Psalm 115 declares his freedom to act.
Where this verse fits
Doubt. fear for the future. praise and worship.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The nations’ taunt does not change where God is or what he can do. His freedom to act belongs to the God praised here for loving kindness and truth.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).