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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 81:9 There must be no strange god among you, nor shall you bow to a foreign god.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/81-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/19_Psa_081_009.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 81:9 - Sing for Joy to God, Our Strength" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="There must be no strange god among you, nor shall you bow to a foreign god." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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you shall not worship any god other than me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/81.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You must never have a foreign god; you must not bow down before a false god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/81.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/81.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />There must be no strange god among you, nor shall you bow to a foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/81.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/81.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />There shall be no foreign god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/81.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“There shall be no strange god among you; Nor shall you worship a foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/81.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Let there be no strange god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/81.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Let there be no strange god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/81.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Let there be no strange god among you; And you shall not worship a foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/81.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Let there be no strange god among you, Nor shall you worship any foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/81.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There must not be a strange god among you; you must not bow down to a foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/81.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There must not be a strange god among you; you must not bow down to a foreign god. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/81.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />There shall no strange god be in thee; Neither shalt thou worship any foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/81.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't worship foreign gods or bow down to gods you know nothing about. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/81.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/81.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Never keep any strange god among you. Never worship a foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/81.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You must never worship another god. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/81.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You must neither have a foreign god over you or worship a strange god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/81.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />There must be no strange god among you, nor shall you bow to a foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/81.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />There must be no other god among you. You must not worship a foreign god. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/81.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />There shall be no strange god in you, neither shall you worship any foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/81.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/81.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />There shall be no strange god in you, neither shall you worship any foreign god. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/81.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />There is not in you a strange god, "" And you do not bow yourself to a strange god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/81.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> There is not in thee a strange god, And thou bowest not thyself to a strange god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/81.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A strange god shall not be in thee; and thou shalt not worship to a strange god.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/81.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />there shall be no new god in thee: neither shalt thou adore a strange god. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/81.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 80:10>then there will be no new god among you, nor will you adore a foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/81.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />There shall be no foreign god among you; you shall not bow down to an alien god. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/81.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/81.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />There shall be no strange god in you; neither shall you worship any strange god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/81.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />You shall have no strange god neither shall you worship to serve another.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/81.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/81.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />there shall be no new god in thee; neither shalt thou worship a strange god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/81-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=10271" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/81.htm">Sing for Joy to God, Our Strength</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>Hear, O My people, and I will warn you: O Israel, if only you would listen to Me! <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">There must be no</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2114.htm" title="2114: zār (Adj-ms) -- A primitive root; to turn aside; hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically to commit adultery.">strange</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: ’êl (N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">god</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">among you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">nor shall you</a> <a href="/hebrew/7812.htm" title="7812: ṯiš·ta·ḥă·weh (V-Hitpael-Imperf-2ms) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to depress, i.e. Prostrate.">bow</a> <a href="/hebrew/5236.htm" title="5236: nê·ḵār (N-ms) -- That which is foreign, foreignness. From nakar; foreign, or a foreigner, or heathendom.">to a foreign</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: lə·’êl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">god.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a></span><br />You shall have no other gods before Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-7.htm">Deuteronomy 5:7</a></span><br />You shall have no other gods before Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-8.htm">Isaiah 42:8</a></span><br />I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4-6</a></span><br />So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-14.htm">Deuteronomy 6:14</a></span><br />Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-21.htm">1 John 5:21</a></span><br />Little children, keep yourselves from idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-13.htm">Exodus 23:13</a></span><br />Pay close attention to everything I have said to you. You must not invoke the names of other gods; they must not be heard on your lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21</a></span><br />Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-6.htm">Jeremiah 25:6</a></span><br />Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/13-4.htm">Hosea 13:4</a></span><br />Yet I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt; you know no God but Me, for there is no Savior besides Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-10.htm">Matthew 4:10</a></span><br />“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-17.htm">Deuteronomy 32:17</a></span><br />They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-35.htm">2 Kings 17:35</a></span><br />For the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites and commanded them, “Do not worship other gods or bow down to them; do not serve them or sacrifice to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-5.htm">Isaiah 45:5</a></span><br />I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me. I will equip you for battle, though you have not known Me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/14-15.htm">Acts 14:15</a></span><br />“Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">There shall no strange god be in you; neither shall you worship any strange god.</p><p class="hdg">there shall</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-5</a></b></br> Thou shalt have no other gods before me… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/8-5.htm">1 Corinthians 8:5,6</a></b></br> For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) … </p><p class="hdg">strange</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/6-14.htm">Deuteronomy 6:14</a></b></br> Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which <i>are</i> round about you;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-12.htm">Deuteronomy 32:12</a></b></br> <i>So</i> the LORD alone did lead him, and <i>there was</i> no strange god with him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/43-12.htm">Isaiah 43:12</a></b></br> I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when <i>there was</i> no strange <i>god</i> among you: therefore ye <i>are</i> my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I <i>am</i> God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/69-8.htm">Alien</a> <a href="/psalms/78-57.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/psalms/43-5.htm">Bowest</a> <a href="/psalms/44-20.htm">Foreign</a> <a href="/psalms/81-5.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/psalms/80-17.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/psalms/74-8.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/94-6.htm">Alien</a> <a href="/psalms/81-14.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/psalms/42-11.htm">Bowest</a> <a href="/psalms/114-1.htm">Foreign</a> <a href="/psalms/105-12.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/psalms/83-18.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/psalms/86-9.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 81</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/81-1.htm">An exhortation to a solemn praising of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/81-4.htm">God challenges that duty by reason of his benefits</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/81-8.htm">God, exhorting to obedience, complains of their disobedience, which proves their own hurt.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/81.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/81.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>There must be no strange god among you</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the exclusivity of worship that God demands from His people. In the context of ancient Israel, the surrounding nations worshiped a variety of deities, often associated with natural elements or specific regions. The command to have no "strange god" among them is a call to purity in worship, reflecting the first of the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>). The term "strange god" refers to any deity that is not Yahweh, the God of Israel. This prohibition is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God is portrayed as a jealous God (<a href="/exodus/34-14.htm">Exodus 34:14</a>), desiring undivided loyalty from His people. The historical context includes the frequent temptation for Israel to adopt the gods of neighboring cultures, which often led to syncretism and idolatry, as seen in the accounts of the Judges and Kings.<p><b>nor shall you bow to a foreign god</b><br>Bowing is an act of worship and submission, and this phrase underscores the prohibition against idolatry. The act of bowing to a foreign god would signify allegiance and reverence, which is due only to Yahweh. This command is consistent with the Shema, a central declaration of Jewish faith found in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4-5</a>, which calls for love and devotion to God alone. The cultural context of the ancient Near East included the worship of gods like Baal, Asherah, and Molech, which often involved rituals and sacrifices that were abhorrent to the God of Israel. Theologically, this command points to the holiness and uniqueness of God, who is incomparable and sovereign over all creation. In the New Testament, this exclusivity is echoed in the teachings of Jesus, who affirmed the greatest commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind (<a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37</a>). This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life, and through whom believers are called to worship God in spirit and truth (<a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/asaph.htm">Asaph</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/81.htm">Psalm 81</a>, Asaph was a prominent Levite musician appointed by King David to lead worship in the tabernacle. His psalms often focus on God's covenant with Israel and the importance of faithfulness.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The primary audience of <a href="/bsb/psalms/81.htm">Psalm 81</a>, representing God's chosen people who were called to worship Him alone and avoid idolatry.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>Mentioned earlier in <a href="/bsb/psalms/81.htm">Psalm 81</a>, Egypt symbolizes the place of bondage from which God delivered the Israelites, reminding them of His power and faithfulness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The Promised Land where Israel was to live in obedience to God, avoiding the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/foreign_gods.htm">Foreign gods</a></b><br>The deities worshiped by the nations surrounding Israel, which God explicitly commanded His people to reject.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/e/exclusive_worship.htm">Exclusive Worship</a></b><br>God demands exclusive worship from His people. Just as Israel was commanded to have no other gods, Christians are called to worship God alone, avoiding modern forms of idolatry such as materialism or self-worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_to_god.htm">Faithfulness to God</a></b><br>The call to reject foreign gods is a call to faithfulness. Believers are to remain loyal to God, trusting in His provision and guidance rather than turning to worldly solutions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_relationship.htm">Covenant Relationship</a></b><br><a href="/psalms/81-9.htm">Psalm 81:9</a> highlights the covenant relationship between God and His people. Understanding this relationship helps believers appreciate the depth of God's commitment and the seriousness of idolatry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_vigilance.htm">Spiritual Vigilance</a></b><br>The warning against foreign gods serves as a reminder to be vigilant in our spiritual lives, constantly evaluating what might be taking God's place in our hearts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_influence.htm">Cultural Influence</a></b><br>Just as Israel was surrounded by nations with different beliefs, Christians today must navigate a world with diverse ideologies, remaining steadfast in their faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_81.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 81</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_faithful_believers_suffer.htm">Psalm 9:10 promises protection for those who seek God; why do many believers still suffer abandonment or persecution despite faithfulness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_orphans_and_widows_still_suffer.htm">In Psalm 146:9, why do fatherless children and widows still suffer if God truly intervenes on their behalf?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god_always_strive_with_man.htm">Will God always strive with man? (Genesis 6:3 vs. Psalm 103:9)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god's_mercy_universal.htm">Is God merciful to all? (Psalm 145:9 vs. Isaiah 13:9)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/81.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">Open . . .</span>--A condensed statement of God's gracious promise (<a href="/context/deuteronomy/7-12.htm" title="Why it shall come to pass, if you listen to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD your God shall keep to you the covenant and the mercy which he swore to your fathers:">Deuteronomy 7:12-13</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/8-7.htm" title="For the LORD your God brings you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;">Deuteronomy 8:7</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/8-9.htm" title="A land wherein you shall eat bread without scarceness, you shall not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you may dig brass.">Deuteronomy 8:9</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/11-13.htm" title="And it shall come to pass, if you shall listen diligently to my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,">Deuteronomy 11:13</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/11-16.htm" title="Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and you turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;">Deuteronomy 11:16</a>, &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, <span class= "ital">Land and Book, </span>p. 127.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/81.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god</span> (comp; <a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/5-7.htm">Deuteronomy 5:7</a>). Such worship had evidently begun, and required to be forbidden afresh. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/81-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">There must be no</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">strange</span><br /><span class="heb">זָ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(zār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2114.htm">Strong's 2114: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn aside, to be a, foreigner, strange, profane, to commit adultery</span><br /><br /><span class="word">god</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">among you,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְ֭ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">nor shall you</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bow</span><br /><span class="heb">תִ֝שְׁתַּחֲוֶ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯiš·ta·ḥă·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7812.htm">Strong's 7812: </a> </span><span class="str2">To depress, prostrate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to a foreign</span><br /><span class="heb">נֵכָֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(nê·ḵār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5236.htm">Strong's 5236: </a> </span><span class="str2">That which is foreign, foreignness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">god.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאֵ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/81-9.htm">Psalm 81:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/81-9.htm">Psalm 81:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/81-9.htm">Psalm 81:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/81-9.htm">Psalm 81:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/81-9.htm">Psalm 81:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/81-9.htm">Psalm 81:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/81-9.htm">Psalm 81:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/81-9.htm">Psalm 81:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/81-9.htm">Psalm 81:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/81-9.htm">Psalm 81:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/81-9.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 81:9 There shall be no strange god (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/81-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 81:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 81:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/81-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 81:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 81:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>