How does Psalm 118:28 connect with the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? Setting the Passages Side by Side • Exodus 20:3 — “You shall have no other gods before Me.” • Psalm 118:28 — “You are my God, and I will give You thanks; You are my God, and I will exalt You.” Shared Themes of Exclusive Allegiance • Singular focus—both texts speak of one God alone, excluding every rival. • Covenant loyalty—Exodus 20:3 commands it; Psalm 118:28 expresses it in worship. • Worship as proof—thanksgiving and exaltation in the Psalm show the heart response the First Commandment requires (cf. Psalm 95:6–7). Personal Relationship Affirmed • Repeated phrase “my God” moves beyond abstract theology to intimate ownership (cf. Deuteronomy 6:4–5; Galatians 2:20). • The First Commandment’s “no other gods” is answered by the psalmist’s twice-spoken confession—God is not merely “the” God but “my” God. Praise as Obedience • Thanksgiving (“I will give You thanks”) aligns with the call to acknowledge God alone (cf. 1 Chronicles 16:8–10). • Exaltation (“I will exalt You”) embodies loving God “with all your heart” (Mark 12:29–30). • Both praise verbs translate allegiance into action, fulfilling the First Commandment in daily life (Romans 12:1). Implications for Daily Living • Guard the heart from competitors—success, relationships, possessions—anything that could become “another god.” • Cultivate gratitude and verbal praise; they keep devotion focused on the Lord. • Regularly confess, “You are my God,” allowing exclusive loyalty to shape decisions, priorities, and worship gatherings. |
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