Psalms 81:9
Psalms 81:9 in Multiple Translations
There must be no strange god among you, nor shall you bow to a foreign god.
There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
There shall no strange god be in thee; Neither shalt thou worship any foreign god.
There is to be no strange god among you; you are not to give worship to any other god.
There must not be a strange god among you; you must never bow down to foreign gods and worship them.
Let there bee no strange god in thee, neither worship thou any strange god.
There is not in thee a strange god, And thou bowest not thyself to a strange god.
There shall be no strange god in you, neither shall you worship any foreign god.
There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
You must not have any idols of other gods among you; you must never bow to worship any of them!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 81:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 81:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שְׁמַ֣ע
עַ֭מִּ/י
וְ/אָעִ֣ידָה
בָּ֑/ךְ
יִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗ל
אִם
תִּֽשְׁמַֽע
לִֽ/י
שְׁמַ֣ע
shâmaʻ
H8085
to hear
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
עַ֭מִּ/י
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-ms | Suff
וְ/אָעִ֣ידָה
ʻûwd
H5749
to uphold
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs
בָּ֑/ךְ
Prep | Suff
יִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
תִּֽשְׁמַֽע
shâmaʻ
H8085
to hear
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
לִֽ/י
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 81:9
שְׁמַ֣ע
shâmaʻ
H8085
"to hear"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
עַ֭מִּ/י
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-ms | Suff
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
וְ/אָעִ֣ידָה
ʻûwd
H5749
"to uphold"
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs
To testify means to repeat or affirm something, like a witness in court. In the Bible, it appears in Deuteronomy 4:26 and Isaiah 44:26. It involves speaking up or warning others.
Definition: 1) to return, repeat, go about, do again 1a) (Piel) to surround, go round and round 1b) (Pilel) to restore, relieve 1c) (Hithpalel) to be restored
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: admonish, charge, earnestly, lift up, protest, call (take) to record, relieve, rob, solemnly, stand upright, testify, give warning, (bear, call to, give, take to) witness. See also: Genesis 43:3; Nehemiah 13:15; Psalms 20:9.
בָּ֑/ךְ
""
Prep | Suff
יִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
תִּֽשְׁמַֽע
shâmaʻ
H8085
"to hear"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
לִֽ/י
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Psalms 81:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 81:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 81:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 81:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 81:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 81:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 81:9
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 81:9
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 81:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 81:9
- Sermons on Psalms 81:9
Context — Sing for Joy to God Our Strength
7You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
8Hear, O My people, and I will warn you: O Israel, if only you would listen to Me!
9There must be no strange god among you, nor shall you bow to a foreign god.
10I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it. 11But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 43:12 | I alone decreed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. So you are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 32:12 | The LORD alone led him, and no foreign god was with him. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 6:14 | Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you. |
| 4 | 1 Corinthians 8:5–6 | For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist. |
| 5 | Psalms 44:20 | If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, |
| 6 | Exodus 20:3–5 | You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, |
| 7 | Malachi 2:11 | Judah has broken faith; an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god. |
Psalms 81:9 Summary
[Psalms 81:9 is a reminder that we should only worship the one true God, and not give our hearts to any other false deity or idol. This means being careful about what we prioritize and give our time, money, and attention to, as encouraged in verses like Matthew 6:24 and 1 Timothy 6:10. By keeping our focus on God and His commands, we can avoid the temptation to worship anything else, and instead, experience the joy and freedom that comes from following Him, as seen in John 8:31-32 and Psalms 119:45.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have a strange god among us?
Having a strange god among us means to have any idol, false deity, or object of worship that is not the one true God of the Bible, as seen in Psalms 81:9, and warned against in Exodus 20:3-5 and Deuteronomy 13:6-10.
Why is it important not to bow to a foreign god?
Not bowing to a foreign god is crucial because it is an act of loyalty and worship to the one true God, as stated in Psalms 81:9, and emphasized in verses like Matthew 4:10 and Luke 4:8, where Jesus Himself resisted worshiping Satan.
How can we apply this verse to our daily lives?
We can apply Psalms 81:9 by examining our hearts and lives for any idols or false deities that may be taking the place of the one true God, as encouraged in 1 John 5:21 and 1 Corinthians 10:14.
What is the consequence of disobeying this command?
The consequence of disobeying this command can be seen in the surrounding verses, such as Psalms 81:11, where it is stated that God's people would not listen to Him, and in verses like Deuteronomy 28:15-68, which outline the consequences of disobedience to God's commands.
Reflection Questions
- What are some modern-day 'strange gods' that we may unknowingly be worshiping, and how can we identify them in our lives?
- In what ways can we prioritize our worship and loyalty to the one true God, as commanded in Psalms 81:9?
- How can we balance the command to not bow to a foreign god with the command to love our neighbors and show kindness to those who may worship differently than us, as seen in verses like Matthew 22:39 and Luke 10:25-37?
- What role does gratitude and remembrance of God's past faithfulness, as mentioned in Psalms 81:7 and 10, play in our obedience to this command?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 81:9
There shall no strange god be in thee,.... Or in the midst of thee, owned and worshipped as God; or in thine heart, for whatever engrosses the affection, or a man puts his trust and confidence in,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 81:9
There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god. There shall no strange god be in thee - i:e., 'let no strange god be in thee,' or among you.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 81:9
Thou shalt renounce all false gods and worship, and worship me only.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 81:9
Psalms 81:9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.Ver. 9. There shall no strange god] This is the first and chief commandment, wherein all the rest are contained, saith Luther.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 81:9
(9) Open . . .—A condensed statement of God’s gracious promise (Deuteronomy 7:12-13; Deuteronomy 8:7; Deuteronomy 8:9; Deuteronomy 11:13; Deuteronomy 11:16, &c). It is said to have been a custom in Persia, that when the king wishes to do a visitor especial honour he desires him to open his mouth wide, and the king then-crams it full of sweetmeats, and sometimes even with jewels. And to this day it is a mark of politeness in Orientals to tear off the daintiest bits of meat for a guest, and either lay them before him, or put them in his mouth. (See Thomson, Land and Book, p. 127.)
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 81:9
9. no strange god] Cp. Psalms 44:20; Deuteronomy 32:16. any strange god] Any alien god. Cp. Deuteronomy 32:12. Absolute frdelity to Jehovah was the fundamental principle of the Sinaitic covenant, embodied in the first ‘word’ of the Decalogue.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 81:9
There shall no strange god be in thee - Worshipped by thee; or recognized and regarded as a god. This was a condition of his favor and friendship. Compare Deuteronomy 32:12; Isaiah 43:12.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 81:9
9. No strange god—Thus the psalmist strikes the fundamental doctrine of their dispensation. It has the Sinaitic ring of Exo 20:1-7. This had been, before the exile, their point of departure from the religion of Moses.
Sermons on Psalms 81:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Revival Conference 2007 - Part 11 by Denny Kenaston | This sermon emphasizes the importance of not worshiping any other gods but the Lord, who brought His people out of Egypt and promises to fill their hearts with spiritual nourishmen |
|
The Dawn of a Golden Age by G. Campbell Morgan | G. Campbell Morgan discusses the dire conditions on earth at the return of Christ, emphasizing the oppressive rule of the antichrist and the suffering of the Jewish people during t |
|
Alone by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches about the journey of walking with God alone, emphasizing the moments of solitude and trust in Him, even when faced with narrow and winding paths. Through |
|
(Gospel in the Book of Esther) 2. Esther at the Court for Her People by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living moment by moment in God's love and receiving life from above. He shares a personal story of a woman who experienced |
|
Mormonism 05 by Gordon Fraser | In this sermon, the speaker recounts a conversation with a student who had been given a challenge to answer a question. The student describes a vision he had where he saw a book ma |
|
A Plea for the Christians by Athenagoras | Athenagoras addresses the Emperors Marcus Aurelius Anoninus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus, highlighting the injustice faced by Christians in the empire for their beliefs. He defends |
|
Praise, Honor, and Glory Be to the Lord by George Fox | George Fox preaches about the power of the Lord spreading over the world in praise, acknowledging God as the Lord of heaven and earth, peace, joy, glory, mercy, strength, life, and |