All worshipers of images are put to shame--those who boast in idols. Worship Him, all you gods! All worshipers of images are put to shame—This phrase addresses the futility and disgrace associated with idolatry. In the ancient Near Eastern context, idol worship was prevalent among surrounding nations, including the Canaanites, Egyptians, and Babylonians. The Hebrew Scriptures consistently condemn the worship of graven images, as seen in the Ten Commandments ( Exodus 20:3-4). The shame mentioned here is both a present reality and a prophetic declaration of the ultimate downfall of idolaters. The prophets, such as Isaiah ( Isaiah 44:9-20), often mocked the absurdity of worshiping man-made objects, emphasizing that these idols have no power or life. those who boast in idols.
Boasting in idols implies a misplaced confidence and pride in objects that cannot save or deliver. This reflects a deeper spiritual blindness and rebellion against the true God. Historically, Israel struggled with idolatry, often adopting the gods of neighboring peoples, which led to their downfall and exile (2 Kings 17:7-18). The New Testament echoes this sentiment, warning against covetousness, which is equated with idolatry (Colossians 3:5). The boasting here contrasts with the biblical call to boast only in the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Worship Him, all you gods!
This command underscores the supremacy of the God of Israel over all other so-called gods. In the ancient world, polytheism was common, with each nation having its pantheon. The psalmist calls even these "gods" to acknowledge the sovereignty of the one true God. This can be seen as a poetic expression, emphasizing that all spiritual beings, whether real or imagined, are subject to God's authority. The Apostle Paul affirms this in the New Testament, declaring that every knee will bow to Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:10-11). This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate victory of God over all spiritual forces, as depicted in Revelation, where every power and authority is subjected to Christ (Revelation 19:11-16). Persons / Places / Events 1. Worshipers of ImagesRefers to individuals who engage in idolatry, placing their trust and reverence in man-made objects rather than the one true God. 2. IdolsPhysical representations or symbols that people worship instead of God. In the context of ancient Israel, these often included statues or images of deities from surrounding cultures. 3. GodsIn this context, "gods" refers to the false deities that people worship, which are commanded to worship the true God, highlighting His supremacy. Teaching Points The Futility of IdolatryIdolatry is ultimately shameful because it places trust in powerless objects rather than the living God. God's SupremacyThe command for all "gods" to worship the true God underscores His unmatched authority and power. Modern IdolatryIdolatry today may not involve physical idols but can include anything that takes precedence over God in our lives, such as money, power, or relationships. Call to Exclusive WorshipBelievers are called to worship God alone, recognizing His sovereignty and rejecting all forms of idolatry. Witness to the WorldBy rejecting idols and worshiping God alone, Christians bear witness to His truth and supremacy in a world filled with false gods. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern forms of idolatry that can distract us from worshiping God alone? 2. How does understanding the futility of idols help strengthen our faith in God? 3. In what ways can we ensure that God remains the central focus of our worship and daily lives? 4. How can the command for all "gods" to worship the true God encourage us in our evangelistic efforts? 5. Reflect on a time when you placed something above God in your life. How did you return to prioritizing Him, and what did you learn from that experience? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-5The Ten Commandments explicitly prohibit the worship of idols, emphasizing God's demand for exclusive worship. Isaiah 44:9-20This passage mocks the futility of idol worship, illustrating the absurdity of creating gods from wood and stone. 1 Corinthians 8:4-6Paul discusses the reality that there is only one God, and idols are nothing, reinforcing the message of Psalm 97:7. People PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics FALSE, Boast, Boasting, Bow, Confounded, Engraved, Gods, Graven, Idols, Image, Images, Nought, Pride, Servants, Serve, Shame, Shamed, Themselves, Worship, Worshipers, Worthless, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 97:7 8623 worship, of God Library August 13. "Clouds and Darkness are Round About Him" (Ps. Xcvii. 2).
"Clouds and darkness are round about Him" (Ps. xcvii. 2). The presence of clouds upon your sky, and trials in your path, is the very best evidence that you are following the pillar of cloud, and walking in the presence of God. They had to enter the cloud before they could behold the glory of the transfiguration, and a little later that same cloud became the chariot to receive the ascending Lord, and it is still waiting as the chariot that will bring His glorious appearing. Still it is true that white …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth June the Thirteenth Clouded but not Lost!
"Clouds and darkness are round about Him." --PSALM xcvii. When Lincoln had been assassinated, and word of the tragedy came to New York, "the people were in a state of mind which urges to violence." A man appeared on the balcony of one of the newspaper offices, waving a small flag, and a clear voice rang through the air: "Fellow-citizens! Clouds and darkness are round about Him! His pavilion is dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies! Justice and judgment are the habitation of His throne! Fellow-citizens, …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year Righteous Hatred
The duty here enjoined is a general one to all God's people. We are to hate all evi--not some evils. It was said, you know, long ago, of certain professors, that they did "Compound for sins they were inclined to By damning those they had no mind to." And there are some, I dare say, at this day, who think others extremely guilty for committing iniquities which they do not care to commit, but they themselves commit other sins with which they deal very gently. O Christian, never take hold of sin, except …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 We Too are Thine.
"The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice."--Psalm 97:1. "Herr, unser Gott, mit Ehrfurcht dienen." [68]G. Tersteegen. transl., Sarah Findlater, 1858 Lord our God, in reverence lowly, The hosts of heaven call Thee "holy." From cherubim and seraphim, From angel phalanx, far extending, In fuller tones is still ascending The "holy, holy," of their hymn. The fount of joy Thou art, Ever filling every heart, Ever! ever! We too are Thine, and with them sing, "Thou, Lord, and only Thou art King." Lord, …
Jane Borthwick—Hymns from the Land of Luther The Morning Light
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. O ne strong internal proof that the Bible is a divine revelation, may be drawn from the subject matter; and particularly that it is the book, and the only book, that teaches us to …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory.
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord! among the gods? Who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou in Thy mercy hast led Thy people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to the habitation of Thy holiness ... The holy place, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.' --Ex. xv. 11-17. In these words we have another step in advance in the revelation of Holiness. We have here for the first time Holiness predicated of God Himself. He …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Ascension of Messiah to Glory
Lift up your head, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. T he institutions of the Levitical law were a "shadow" or "sketch" of good things to come. They exhibited a faint and general outline …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Being Made Archbishop of Armagh, He Suffers Many Troubles. Peace Being Made, from Being Archbishop of Armagh He Becomes Bishop of Down.
[Sidenote: 1129] 19. (12). Meanwhile[365] it happened that Archbishop Cellach[366] fell sick: he it was who ordained Malachy deacon, presbyter and bishop: and knowing that he was dying he made a sort of testament[367] to the effect that Malachy ought to succeed him,[368] because none seemed worthier to be bishop of the first see. This he gave in charge to those who were present, this he commanded to the absent, this to the two kings of Munster[369] and to the magnates of the land he specially enjoined …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Messiah Despised, and Rejected of Men
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrow, and acquainted with grief. T he heathen moralists, ignorant of the character and perfections of God, the true dignity and immorality of the soul, and the root and extent of human depravity, had no better foundation, for what they call virtue, than pride; no higher aim in their regulations, than the interests of society, and the conduct of civil life. They expressed, indeed, occasionally, some sentiments of a superior kind; but these, however just …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 97:7 NIVPsalm 97:7 NLTPsalm 97:7 ESVPsalm 97:7 NASBPsalm 97:7 KJV
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