Psalms 81:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

There shall no strange {H2114}{H8801)} god {H410} be in thee; neither shalt thou worship {H7812}{H8691)} any strange {H5236} god {H410}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There is not to be with you any foreign god; you are not to worship an alien god.

Berean Standard Bible

There must be no strange god among you, nor shall you bow to a foreign god.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 81:9 delivers a powerful, direct divine command to ancient Israel, prohibiting the presence and worship of any "strange god" within their midst. This verse functions as a core expression of Yahweh's exclusive claim on the devotion of His covenant people, echoing the foundational principles of monotheism and the absolute rejection of idolatry that defined their unique relationship with the one true God, who had redeemed them from bondage and continually sustained them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 81 is a psalm of exhortation and divine oracle, likely intended for a major Israelite festival such as Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) or Passover, given its references to the Exodus and the blowing of the trumpet (shofar). The psalm begins with a vibrant call to joyful worship and praise of God for His mighty deeds (verses 1-5). This celebratory introduction then transitions abruptly into a direct address from God Himself (from verse 6 onward), who recounts His deliverance of Israel from Egypt and His subsequent commands. Verse 9, therefore, is not an isolated legalistic prohibition but an integral part of God's loving yet firm appeal to His people, reminding them of their covenant obligations in light of His unwavering faithfulness and past redemptive acts. It sets the stage for God's lament over Israel's disobedience and His longing for their obedience in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel existed in a polytheistic Near Eastern world where the worship of multiple deities was the norm. Surrounding nations, such as the Canaanites, Egyptians, and Mesopotamians, revered various gods and goddesses associated with natural phenomena (e.g., Baal for storms, Asherah for fertility) or national identity. The temptation for Israel to assimilate these practices was constant and pervasive, as evidenced throughout their history (e.g., the golden calf in [Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf"), the worship of Baal and Asherah during the period of the Judges and Kings). God's command in Psalms 81:9, therefore, was a crucial boundary marker, safeguarding Israel's unique identity as a people set apart for Yahweh alone. It underscored the radical distinctiveness of Israel's monotheistic faith against the backdrop of pervasive idolatry and syncretism.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **exclusive worship of Yahweh**, emphasizing God's sole claim to Israel's devotion, a principle established in the [First Commandment](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment") and reiterated throughout the Torah. It highlights the **prohibition of idolatry**, not merely as an external act but as an internal disposition, ensuring that no rival deity or object of affection takes God's rightful place. Furthermore, it speaks to **covenant loyalty and faithfulness**, reminding Israel that their relationship with God was predicated on their undivided allegiance, a response to God's prior acts of deliverance, such as their [rescue from Egyptian bondage](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - Parting of the Red Sea"). The verse also subtly touches on the theme of **divine jealousy**, a holy jealousy that seeks to protect the purity and integrity of the relationship between God and His chosen people, as seen in [Exodus 34:14](/exodus/34-14 "Exodus 34:14 - God's Jealousy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Strange god (Hebrew, _'el zar'_):** The Hebrew phrase `אֵל זָר` (`'el zar`) combines `אֵל` (`'el`), a general term for "god" or "deity," with `זָר` (`zar`), meaning "strange," "foreign," or "alien." This combination emphatically denotes any deity not recognized as Yahweh, the God of Israel's covenant. It implies not merely a different god, but one that is fundamentally "other" and illegitimate in the context of Israel's unique relationship with their deliverer and sovereign. The term highlights the alien nature of such worship, incompatible with the covenant.
* **Worship (Hebrew, _tishtachaveh'_):** The verb `תִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶה` (`tishtachaveh`) comes from the root `שָׁחָה` (`shachah`), meaning "to bow down," "to prostrate oneself," or "to do homage." It signifies an act of profound reverence, submission, and adoration. This term encompasses not just ritualistic acts but the very posture of one's heart and life towards a deity. The prohibition, therefore, is against any form of homage, service, or ultimate allegiance directed towards these "strange" or foreign gods, emphasizing the totality of devotion expected by Yahweh.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"There shall no strange god be in thee":** This clause speaks to the internal and collective state of Israel. The phrase "in thee" (`בָךְ`, `bakh`) can refer to "within you" (singular, referring to the nation as a whole) or "among you." It implies that foreign deities should not be present, tolerated, or acknowledged *within* the community, nor should their influence permeate the hearts and minds of individuals. It's a call for spiritual purity and corporate integrity, ensuring that the nation's identity remains solely defined by its relationship with Yahweh. This suggests a prohibition against both overt idolatry and the more subtle adoption of foreign religious concepts or practices.
* **"neither shalt thou worship any strange god":** This second clause functions as a direct, explicit prohibition against the act of bowing down or rendering homage to any foreign deity. It reinforces the first clause by specifying the forbidden action. While the first clause might address the *presence* or *acknowledgment* of strange gods, this clause directly forbids the *act of worship* itself. The parallelism emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the command: no strange god should be *among* them, and no strange god should be *worshipped* by them. This is a clear, unambiguous command against syncretism and polytheism, demanding exclusive allegiance to Yahweh.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 81:9 effectively employs **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first. "There shall no strange god be in thee" sets the stage by prohibiting the *presence* or *acknowledgment* of foreign deities, while "neither shalt thou worship any strange god" specifies the forbidden *act* of homage, thereby reinforcing and clarifying the initial command. This structure provides a comprehensive prohibition against both the internal inclination towards and the external practice of idolatry. The verse also utilizes the **Imperative Mood** (implied through the prohibitive particle `לֹא` - "no" or "not"), conveying the divine authority and unyielding nature of the command. This is a direct, non-negotiable decree from God to His covenant people, underscoring the seriousness of their obligation. The language is direct and unadorned, characteristic of legal and covenantal pronouncements, emphasizing clarity and absolute demand.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a profound theological statement on the nature of God and His relationship with humanity, particularly His covenant people. It articulates the fundamental principle of monotheism – that there is only one true God, Yahweh, who alone is worthy of worship. This exclusivity stems from His unique character as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, and His holy jealousy, which does not tolerate rivals. The prohibition against "strange gods" is not merely a legalistic rule but a safeguard for Israel's spiritual well-being and their unique identity. To worship other gods was to deny God's redemptive power, betray the covenant, and ultimately lead to spiritual and national ruin. It is a call to undivided devotion, recognizing that true freedom and blessing come only from complete allegiance to the one who truly delivers and provides.

* [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")
* [Deuteronomy 6:4-5](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - The Shema")
* [Isaiah 44:6](/isaiah/44-6 "Isaiah 44:6 - God as the First and Last")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While modern society may not typically engage in the overt worship of carved idols, the timeless principle of Psalms 81:9 remains profoundly relevant. A "strange god" in contemporary life is anything that subtly or overtly displaces the one true God from His rightful, supreme position in our hearts, minds, and lives. This can manifest as an inordinate pursuit of wealth, status, power, pleasure, or even self-actualization, where these become the ultimate objects of our devotion, time, and energy. When our identity, security, or fulfillment are primarily derived from anything other than God, we are, in essence, bowing down to a "strange god." This verse calls us to a radical self-examination, challenging us to identify and dismantle any idols—visible or invisible—that compete for our ultimate allegiance. It is a summons to cultivate a heart of undivided devotion, acknowledging that only God is worthy of our complete worship, trust, and obedience, and that true life is found in Him alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "strange gods" might subtly compete for my ultimate allegiance in today's world?**
* **How does my daily schedule, spending habits, and thought life reflect who or what I truly worship?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to seek security, identity, or fulfillment apart from God?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my devotion remains undivided and truly centered on the Lord?**

### FAQ

**What does "strange god" mean in a modern context?**

Answer: In a modern context, "strange god" refers to anything that takes the place of God as the ultimate object of our worship, devotion, trust, or pursuit. While ancient Israel faced literal idols made of wood and stone, today's "strange gods" are often more subtle. They can include materialism (the pursuit of wealth or possessions as ultimate security, as warned in [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - You cannot serve God and money")), self-worship (placing one's own desires, ego, or achievements above God's will), the insatiable pursuit of power, status, or fame, or even an excessive devotion to technology, entertainment, or relationships that displaces God from His rightful supremacy. Anything that consumes our primary time, energy, and affection, and from which we seek our ultimate meaning and satisfaction, can become a "strange god."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 81:9 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament prohibition against "strange gods" was a foreshadowing of the perfect, undivided worship that would be rendered to God through His Son. In Christ, the call to exclusive devotion is not merely a legal command but an invitation into a new covenant relationship where the Spirit enables true worship. Jesus Himself declared that the greatest commandment is to [love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength](/mark/12-30 "Mark 12:30 - The Greatest Commandment"), which is the positive expression of having no strange gods. He is the [image of the invisible God](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ as the Image of God"), and through Him, we are granted access to the Father. The New Testament teaches that true worship is now [in spirit and truth](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth"), enabled by the Holy Spirit who indwells believers, empowering them to resist the idols of the world and to fix their gaze on Christ. He is the one who truly delivers us from the bondage of sin and the dominion of false gods, making us His own, a people zealous for good works, [redeemed from every lawless deed](/titus/2-14 "Titus 2:14 - Christ Redeems Us"). Therefore, to have no strange god in us means to have Christ enthroned in our hearts, for [in Him all the fullness of God dwells bodily](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of God in Christ"), and to worship Him is to worship the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 43:12

I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when [there was] no strange [god] among you: therefore ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I [am] God.

Deuteronomy 32:12

[So] the LORD alone did lead him, and [there was] no strange god with him.

1 Corinthians 8:5

For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

1 Corinthians 8:6

But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we by him.

Deuteronomy 6:14

Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which [are] round about you;

Psalms 44:20

If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;

Exodus 20:3

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.