In these verses the psalmist describes the pagan idols as completely powerless and ineffective, in contrast with the all-powerful Yahweh, the God of Israel. For translation suggestions regarding idols see 31.6; 96.5; 106.38; 115.4. The nations refers, of course, to foreign nations, and must sometimes be rendered “the nations that do not worship you.” The work of men’s hands is sometimes translated as “they are things that people make.” Verses 15-17a repeat the thought and the language of 115.4-6a. Verse 17b has no parallel in 115.4-8; the meaning of nor is there any breath in their mouths is that the gods of the other nations are lifeless, inert, dead (see Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “They even have no life!”). The Hebrew has “mouth”; there is no need to change the text, as New English Bible does, to “nostril” (see Hebrew Old Testament Text Project).

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .