Psalms 81:9

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִהְיֶ֣ה H1961
יִהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 2 of 9
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְ֭ךָ H0
בְ֭ךָ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 3 of 9
לְאֵ֣ל god H410
לְאֵ֣ל god
Strong's: H410
Word #: 4 of 9
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
זָ֑ר There shall no strange H2114
זָ֑ר There shall no strange
Strong's: H2114
Word #: 5 of 9
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
וְלֹ֥א H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִ֝שְׁתַּחֲוֶ֗ה be in thee neither shalt thou worship H7812
תִ֝שְׁתַּחֲוֶ֗ה be in thee neither shalt thou worship
Strong's: H7812
Word #: 7 of 9
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
לְאֵ֣ל god H410
לְאֵ֣ל god
Strong's: H410
Word #: 8 of 9
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
נֵכָֽר׃ any strange H5236
נֵכָֽר׃ any strange
Strong's: H5236
Word #: 9 of 9
foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom

Analysis & Commentary

There shall no strange god be in thee (לֹא־יִהְיֶה בְךָ אֵל זָר)—El zar (foreign, strange god) echoes the First Commandment (Exodus 20:3) and the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4). The preposition in thee emphasizes internal allegiance, not just external idols. Neither shalt thou worship any strange god—the prohibition extends from heart (possessing) to practice (bowing down).

This verse stands at the psalm's theological center: God delivered Israel from Egypt specifically to be their exclusive God (Exodus 20:2-3). Idolatry wasn't merely breaking a rule but covenant adultery, rejecting the Husband who redeemed His bride. The New Testament intensifies this: covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5), and 'you cannot serve God and money' (Matthew 6:24).

Historical Context

Despite this clear command, Israel's history is a catalog of idolatry: the golden calf (Exodus 32), Baal worship (Judges-Kings), and syncretism that ultimately caused exile. The very generation delivered from Egypt fell into idolatry within weeks (Exodus 32). The prophets consistently diagnosed Israel's political and moral failures as rooted in broken allegiance to Yahweh.

Questions for Reflection