Psalm 81 9

Psalm 81:9 kjv

There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.

Psalm 81:9 nkjv

There shall be no foreign god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god.

Psalm 81:9 niv

You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not worship any god other than me.

Psalm 81:9 esv

There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god.

Psalm 81:9 nlt

You must never have a foreign god;
you must not bow down before a false god.

Psalm 81 verses

Psalm 81 9 Meaning

Psalm 81:9 is a divine commandment and a profound statement of God's absolute claim over His people, Israel. It unequivocally prohibits the introduction, presence, or worship of any foreign or alien deity among them. The verse stresses the exclusivity of worship due to the one true God, forbidding any deviation from monotheistic devotion or prostration before idols or other gods not known or ordained by Him. It emphasizes both the communal purity from foreign gods and the personal obligation not to bow down to them.

Psalm 81 9 Context

Psalm 81 is a unique blend of historical remembrance, divine lament, and prophetic exhortation, likely intended for a liturgical setting, such as the Feast of Tabernacles or Passover, recalling the Exodus and the giving of the Law. The psalm opens with a call to joyous worship (vv. 1-3) and then shifts to the voice of God Himself (v. 4 onwards), who recounts His deliverance of Israel from Egypt (vv. 6-7). Verse 9 ('al-yihyeh vakhā 'el zār vĕlo' tishtaḥaweh lĕ'el nekhar) appears as a direct, non-negotiable command from God following His declaration of liberation and His own identity as the deliverer from Egypt and the one who tests Israel (vv. 7-8). This command underscores the expectation of exclusive covenant loyalty in light of God's prior acts of grace and power. The surrounding verses (81:10-16) continue God's appeal, lamenting Israel's disobedience, expressing His desire for their obedience, and reiterating the blessings that would have followed if they had obeyed, contrasting them with their rebellion. The verse, therefore, highlights a core condition of the covenant: Yahweh’s exclusivity.

Historically and culturally, ancient Israel was situated amidst nations that practiced polytheism, idol worship, and various pagan cults (e.g., Canaanite Baal and Asherah worship, Egyptian deities). The command in Psalm 81:9 serves as a stark contrast and a direct polemic against these prevalent beliefs and practices, affirming Israel's unique monotheistic identity and calling them to remain separate and holy to the Lord who had redeemed them. It wasn't just about avoiding a foreign deity in a temple, but about purging any internal acceptance or embrace of such concepts within the community's heart and life.

Psalm 81 9 Word analysis

• There shall no: An emphatic negative imperative. In Hebrew, 'al-yihyeh (אַל־יִהְיֶה) is a strong prohibition meaning "let there not be" or "there shall not be." It denotes an absolute ban.
• strange god: Hebrew: 'el zar (אֵל זָר).
  • 'el (אֵל): Refers to a god or deity, often used for the true God, but here for any false god. It is a generic term for divine power.
  • zar (זָר): Means "strange," "foreign," "alien," or "unauthorized." It denotes something or someone not belonging to the family, tribe, or covenant. When applied to God, it means any deity outside the covenant relationship with Yahweh. This concept extends beyond simply physical idols to anything alien to God's nature and exclusive claim, representing the polytheistic systems of surrounding nations (Baal, Asherah, Moloch, etc.). It signifies deities not authorized by the one true God for worship.
• be in thee / among you: Hebrew: vakhā (בָּךְ). This means "in you," "within you," or "among you" (singular pronoun addressing the nation, or prophetically the leader). It implies not merely external exclusion from the land or temple, but also from the heart and the internal life of the individual and the community. The presence of a strange god is forbidden, indicating a prohibition on allowing them any space, acceptance, or legitimacy within their midst, either physically or ideologically.
• neither shalt thou worship: Hebrew: vĕlo' tishtaḥaweh (וְלֹא תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה).
  • vĕlo' (וְלֹא): "And not," a reinforcing negation.
  • tishtaḥaweh (תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה): From the verb shaḥah (שָׁחָה), meaning "to bow down," "prostrate oneself," or "do homage." This is the common Hebrew term for worship and reverence, implying an act of submission, adoration, and complete devotion. It involves the physical act of bowing as well as the internal reverence and service.
• any strange god: Hebrew: lĕ'el nekhar (לְאֵל נֵכָר). This is a strong repetition for emphasis, using a synonymous term for "strange/foreign."
  • nekhar (נֵכָר): Also means "foreign," "alien," or "other." Its use alongside zar strengthens the prohibition, stressing that no foreign god, under any guise, is to be worshiped. The repetition functions as an intensified declaration of the exclusive covenant demand of Yahweh.

Psalm 81 9 Bonus section

The Hebrew parallelism and repetition in Psalm 81:9 amplify the message's urgency and absolute nature. The two distinct phrases, "There shall no strange god be in thee" and "neither shalt thou worship any strange god," articulate both the internal purity (no foreign god present) and the external action (no foreign god worshipped). This two-fold prohibition covers both the allowance of a false deity's influence and the act of prostration. This is significant because a deity cannot be effectively worshipped unless it is first permitted to be or have a place "among you" or "within you" (in one's thoughts, home, or community). This divine imperative from the Almighty reveals His possessive and jealous nature, a jealousy rooted in His holy love for His people and His desire for their pure devotion, which brings true freedom and blessing. His ultimate blessing, as the subsequent verses imply, is conditional on this exclusive loyalty.

Psalm 81 9 Commentary

Psalm 81:9 serves as the core divine stipulation flowing directly from God's identity as the deliverer and provider in the preceding verses. It encapsulates the essence of the first two commandments given at Sinai, underscoring Israel's exclusive covenant with Yahweh. The repeated prohibition of "strange god" (using two different Hebrew terms) amplifies the gravity of the command and emphasizes that absolutely no alien deity or its worship is tolerated. The command be in thee/among you extends beyond outward actions to include the inner disposition and communal acceptance. It's a call to both individual and national purity, rejecting any syncretism with the surrounding pagan cultures. The historical context of this psalm (likely a feast of remembrance) powerfully links past deliverance with present covenant obligation. God's grace necessitates their exclusive devotion; they have been delivered by Yahweh, and only Yahweh is to be served. This verse not only prohibits external idol worship but also any internal compromise of heart where other priorities, desires, or systems of belief might subtly take God's place, highlighting the perpetual struggle against spiritual idolatry in all forms.

• Example for practical usage: For a modern believer, a "strange god" is not merely a carved image but can be anything that competes for ultimate allegiance, such as wealth, career, relationships, power, or personal comfort. This verse calls us to examine our hearts and ensure that Yahweh remains the undisputed and sole object of our worship and devotion. It means resisting societal pressures that promote values contrary to God's commands and ensuring our lives reflect exclusive service to Him alone.