Psalm 96 5

Psalm 96:5 kjv

For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

Psalm 96:5 nkjv

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.

Psalm 96:5 niv

For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.

Psalm 96:5 esv

For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.

Psalm 96:5 nlt

The gods of other nations are mere idols,
but the LORD made the heavens!

Psalm 96 verses

Psalm 96 5 Meaning

Psalm 96:5 declares a foundational truth about the one true God in stark contrast to false deities. It asserts that "all the gods of the peoples are idols," signifying their emptiness, powerlessness, and non-existence as divine beings. This is immediately contrasted with the majestic reality that "the Lord made the heavens," emphasizing His singular, uncreated power and absolute sovereignty as the Creator of the universe. The verse establishes creation as the ultimate proof of YHWH's exclusive divinity and superiority over all fabricated gods.

Psalm 96 5 Context

Psalm 96 is a hymn of praise calling all nations to worship the Lord, declaring His glory and power among the peoples. It emphasizes YHWH's rightful universal kingship and anticipates a time when His reign over the whole earth will be acknowledged. Historically, Israel was surrounded by nations that practiced polytheism, worshipping various localized or pan-regional gods (e.g., Baal, Asherah, Marduk). This verse stands as a strong polemic against these ancient pagan beliefs and practices. It directly challenges the efficacy and very existence of other gods, asserting the exclusive power and reality of Israel's God, YHWH. The chapter begins with a summons for a new song to the Lord, implicitly demanding an abandonment of old ways and false worship in favor of Him.

Psalm 96 5 Word analysis

• For all the gods:
  • "gods" (Hebrew: elohim - אֱלֹהִים): While this term can refer to the true God or even human judges, here the context "of the peoples" (nations/gentiles) and the contrasting term "idols" clarify that it refers to pagan deities.
  • This opening challenges the prevalent belief in a multitude of divine powers.
• of the peoples:
  • (Hebrew: ammim - עַמִּים): Refers to the nations, Gentiles, non-Israelite populations.
  • This specifies the scope of the false gods – those worshipped by all the Gentile world, not the one God of Israel.
• are idols:
  • (Hebrew: elilim - אֱלִילִים): This derogatory term literally means "worthless ones," "things of nought," "vain things," or "non-entities." It emphasizes the utter emptiness, powerlessness, and non-existence of these supposed deities.
  • This word choice strips pagan gods of any dignity or real power, reducing them to nothingness. It's a direct and powerful denouncement of polytheistic belief systems.
• but the Lord:
  • "Lord" (Hebrew: YHWH - יְהוָה): This is God's unique covenant name, representing His personal, self-existent nature, in stark contrast to the elilim.
  • The "but" (Hebrew: v'YHWH - ויהוה) introduces a sharp antithesis, setting the true God apart from all false ones.
• made:
  • (Hebrew: asah - עָשָׂה): To make, fashion, create, perform. It implies a deliberate, powerful act of creation from nothing or raw materials.
  • This word directly attributes agency and power to YHWH that the idols lack.
• the heavens:
  • (Hebrew: shamayim - שָּׁמַיִם): Refers to the visible sky, the firmament, and by extension, the entire universe and cosmos.
  • This points to God's immense power and creative scope, an act no human or false deity could ever replicate.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For all the gods of the peoples are idols": This phrase functions as a declarative polemic against polytheism. It asserts a universal theological truth: outside of the one true God, all other divine claims by the nations are baseless and signify powerless entities. This directly refutes the common understanding in the ancient world that each nation had its legitimate deity.
• "but the Lord made the heavens": This phrase provides the irrefutable evidence for YHWH's exclusive claim to divinity. Creation is presented as the ultimate distinguishing factor. Unlike pagan gods who might be patrons of a specific land or domain, YHWH is the transcendent creator of the entire cosmic order, an act that no idol could accomplish. The contrast highlights power, origin, and reality versus emptiness and fabrication.

Psalm 96 5 Bonus section

• The stark contrast between elilim (nothingness) and YHWH (the Creator of all things) is a recurring theme in the Prophets, particularly Isaiah, serving to dismantle reliance on foreign gods and false hopes.
• The "heavens" here signify the majesty and vastness of God's creative power, encompassing all that humanity observed and often deified (sun, moon, stars). The verse proclaims that the Creator of these objects is the true God, not the objects themselves.
• This verse has eschatological implications, pointing to a future day when the kingship of the Lord, based on His unique status as Creator, will be universally recognized and worshipped by all nations (as further implied in Psa 96:10).

Psalm 96 5 Commentary

Psalm 96:5 encapsulates the theological heart of biblical monotheism against the backdrop of a polytheistic world. It delivers a devastating critique of idol worship by declaring that pagan deities are mere "idols" – powerless, lifeless fabrications, often of human hands. The term elilim conveys contempt, underscoring their utter emptiness and insignificance. In stark contrast, YHWH is not just "a" god but the God, evidenced by His unique attribute as Creator of the "heavens." This act of creation, a foundational truth declared in Genesis 1, distinguishes Him utterly from any rival claim to deity.

The verse is a clarion call to acknowledge the one true source of all being. It emphasizes that creation is a tangible, universal witness to God's existence and supreme power, accessible to all peoples regardless of their cultural myths. Therefore, worship of anything other than the Creator is irrational and vain, deserving of scorn and abandonment. This truth challenges believers across all ages to continually discern and renounce anything or anyone that claims divine authority or ultimacy in their lives apart from the Living God, whether ancient stone images or modern self-dependencies.