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

PSALMS 81:9KJV
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Psalms 81:9 (KJV)

What does Psalms 81:9 mean?

Psalms 81:9 commands the people not to have or worship any foreign god. The verse is a clear instruction that only the God of Israel is to be honored and served, with no room for other deities.

In this psalm, God is speaking to the people of Israel, reminding them of the covenant relationship and the exclusive worship He requires. The context is a call to remember God’s deliverance and to remain faithful, especially by rejecting the worship of any "strange" or foreign gods that neighboring nations followed.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 81:9

  • The word "strange" (זוּר, zur) often means "foreign" or "outside," highlighting that these gods are not part of Israel’s faith or identity.
  • The word "god" (אֵל, el) is a general term for a deity, but here it refers to any being worshipped in place of the God of Israel.
  • The word "worship" (שָׁחָה, shachah) means to bow down or show reverence, stressing that not even acts of honor or devotion should be given to these foreign gods.
  • Another word for "strange" (נֵכָר, nekar) is used, which also means "foreign" or "alien," reinforcing the idea that these gods are completely outside the relationship God has with Israel.

Why Psalms 81:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the command is not just about belief but also about actions—no worship or honor is to be given to other gods in any form.
  • It highlights the unique relationship between God and Israel, setting them apart from surrounding cultures that practiced polytheism.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme of the psalm, which is a call to remember God’s faithfulness and to respond with exclusive loyalty and obedience.

Where else these words appear

“strange” Hebrew H5236 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
  • 1 Samuel 7:3 And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
  • Psalms 144:11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:

“strange” Hebrew H2114 · used in 76 verses

  • Exodus 29:33 And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy.
  • Psalms 54:3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
  • Isaiah 29:5 Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.