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Psalm 95 · a question people ask

"A great King above all gods" (95:3). Is the psalm saying there are other gods?

In the text

The psalm says it in those words and doesn't explain them. What it gives next is why the LORD is great: the deep places of the earth are in his hand, the heights of the mountains are his, "The sea is his, and he made it. His hands formed the dry land" (95:5). Psalms 96 and 97 have the same words, above all gods: "He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens" (Psalm 96:4-5), and "You are exalted far above all gods" (Psalm 97:9). Psalm 97 also says, "Worship him, all you gods!" (Psalm 97:7). Psalm 82's notes take up who "the gods" of that psalm are (Psalm 82:1, 82:6). These notes set the verses side by side and go no further.

The verses

“For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth. The heights of the mountains are also his. The sea is his, and he made it. His hands formed the dry land.”
Psalm 95:3-5 · World English Bible
“For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised! He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.”
Psalm 96:4-5 · World English Bible
“Let all them be shamed who serve engraved images, who boast in their idols. Worship him, all you gods!”
Psalm 97:7 · World English Bible
“For you, LORD, are most high above all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods.”
Psalm 97:9 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 95

Psalm 95: Today, hear his voice

The psalm's two Oh comes are two Hebrew verbs, and the second, bo, comes back in its last line as enter: "They won’t enter into my rest" (95:11). And "the sheep in his care" (95:7) are, in Hebrew, the sheep of his hand, the hand that holds the deep places of the earth (95:4).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions