Psalm 113: Verse 12 - the work of human hands

Verse 12 of Psalm 113 is the start of a description of the false gods of the pagans, and it makes a clear play between the work of (our) God, described above, who does what he wishes, and the work of men, who, it seems, are doomed, over and over again, as their work, to construct false idols:

Simulácra géntium argéntum, et aurum, ópera mánuum hóminum.

The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold, the works of the hands of men. 

Lectio

Simulacra (Image/idol) gentium (of the gentiles/nations/heathen) argentum (silver) et (and) aurum (gold)

simulacrum, i, n.  an image, likeness; used only in the sense of idol.

argentum, i, n  silver.

aurum, i, n., gold

opera (the work) manuum (of the hands) hominum (of man) – the works of the hands of men

Meditatio

We should consider the contrast between the Opus Dei, the true worship of God in the liturgy, and the 'work of human hands' (a phrase so unfortunately added to the newly invented Offertory prayers of the Novus Ordo Mass).  Even when the most precious metals are used, idols remain mere metal; yet hearts and minds lifted up to God in prayer become so much more.  

Second section of Psalm 113:

9  Non nobis, Dómine, non nobis: * sed nómini tuo da glóriam.	9 Not to us, O Lord, not to us; but to your name give glory.
10  Super misericórdia tua, et veritáte tua: * nequándo dicant gentes: Ubi est Deus eórum?	10 For your mercy, and for your truth's sake: lest the Gentiles should say: Where is their God?
11  Deus autem noster in cælo: * ómnia quæcúmque vóluit, fecit.	11 But our God is in heaven: he has done all things whatsoever he would.
12  Simulácra géntium argéntum, et aurum, * ópera mánuum hóminum.	12 The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold, the works of the hands of men.
13  Os habent, et non loquéntur: * óculos habent, et non vidébunt.	14 They have ears and hear not: they have noses and smell not.
14  Aures habent, et non áudient: * nares habent, et non odorábunt.	14 They have ears and hear not: they have noses and smell not.
15  Manus habent, et non palpábunt: pedes habent, et non ambulábunt: * non clamábunt in gútture suo.	15 They have hands and feel not: they have feet and walk not: neither shall they cry out through their throat.
16  Símiles illis fiant qui fáciunt ea: * et omnes qui confídunt in eis.	16 Let them that make them become like unto them: and all such as trust in them.

The next set of notes on Psalm 113 can be found here.