How does Psalm 96:4 connect with the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? Passage Focus “For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.” “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Shared Core Truth • Both verses declare God’s absolute uniqueness—He alone is truly God. • Psalm 96:4 praises that uniqueness; Exodus 20:3 commands exclusive allegiance to it. • Together they form a single, seamless revelation: acknowledge God’s unrivaled greatness and refuse every rival. Key Vocabulary Links • “LORD” (YHWH) appears in both contexts, underscoring the covenant name. • “Gods” (’elohim): Psalm 96:4 contrasts the living LORD with false deities; Exodus 20:3 forbids giving those “gods” any place before Him. • “Great/feared” parallels the command’s implicit warning—placing anything before Him provokes judgment (cf. Exodus 20:5). Theological Bridge 1. Supremacy – Psalm 96:4: God is “great… above all gods.” – Exodus 20:3: Therefore, no other gods may stand in His presence. 2. Worship – Psalm calls all peoples to praise. – Exodus demands that worship be undivided (cf. Deuteronomy 6:4–5). 3. Fear & Reverence – Psalm: “He is to be feared.” – Commandment: fear is expressed through exclusive obedience (cf. Proverbs 1:7). Additional Scriptural Echoes • Isaiah 45:5—“I am the LORD, and there is no other.” • 1 Chronicles 16:25 parallels Psalm 96:4 almost verbatim, tying worship to covenant law. • 1 Corinthians 8:4–6 affirms the same exclusivity in a New-Covenant setting. Practical Implications for Today • Guard against modern “gods” (possessions, status, ideologies) that compete for the heart. • Let worship be wholehearted—praise (Psalm 96) and obedience (Exodus 20) belong together. • Evaluate priorities: whatever diminishes God’s “greatness” in daily life violates the First Commandment. Takeaway Psalm 96:4 celebrates who God is; Exodus 20:3 tells us what to do about it. Recognizing the LORD’s unmatched greatness leads naturally—and necessarily—to exclusive devotion. |
    |