The Meaning of Psalms 97:7 Explained

Psalms 97:7

KJV: Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

YLT: Ashamed are all servants of a graven image, Those boasting themselves in idols, Bow yourselves to him, all ye gods.

Darby: Ashamed be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols. Worship him, all ye gods.

ASV: Let all them be put to shame that serve graven images, That boast themselves of idols: Worship him, all ye gods.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Confounded  be all they that serve  graven images,  that boast  themselves of idols:  worship  him, all [ye] gods. 

What does Psalms 97:7 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 97:1-12 - "be Glad In The Lord"
The keynote here is the reign of God. To the wicked, it spells misery; to the believer, it is the inauguration of harmony and joy. It is as though herald-angels step from isle to isle, from mountain peak to mountain peak, with the glad tidings of great joy. It is not always easy to trace its advent. Clouds and darkness are around him. The eye of sense cannot penetrate the black enclosing pall, but faith is ever certain that righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne.
Sometimes God comes in fire, Psalms 97:3, as at Sinai, or on the day of Pentecost, which took place on the anniversary of the giving of the Law. Days come like that on which Jerusalem fell, or when the Turks took Constantinople, or when Napoleon was shattered at Waterloo-then hills melt like wax. But through all dark and terrible dispensations the Kingdom is secretly growing, the Lord is being exalted, and light is being sown for His people, Psalms 97:11. So, believer, your tears and fightings, as they pass, are absorbing heaven's love and power, which they will hold in reserve though buried for long in the dark. Days are at hand of unspeakable gladness. Be of good cheer. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 97

1  The majesty of God's kingdom
7  The church rejoices at God's judgments upon idolaters
10  An exhortation to godliness and gladness

What do the individual words in Psalms 97:7 mean?

Let be put to shame all who serve carved images who boast of idols Worship Him [you] gods
יֵבֹ֤שׁוּ ׀ כָּל־ עֹ֬בְדֵי פֶ֗סֶל הַמִּֽתְהַלְלִ֥ים בָּאֱלִילִ֑ים הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ־ ל֝וֹ אֱלֹהִֽים

יֵבֹ֤שׁוּ ׀  Let  be  put  to  shame 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: בֹּושׁ 
Sense: to put to shame, be ashamed, be disconcerted, be disappointed.
עֹ֬בְדֵי  who  serve 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: עָבַד  
Sense: to work, serve.
פֶ֗סֶל  carved  images 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: פֶּסֶל  
Sense: idol, image.
הַמִּֽתְהַלְלִ֥ים  who  boast 
Parse: Article, Verb, Hitpael, Participle, masculine plural
Root: הָלַל 
Sense: to shine.
בָּאֱלִילִ֑ים  of  idols 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלִיל  
Sense: of nought, good for nothing, worthless.
הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ־  Worship 
Parse: Verb, Hitpael, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: שָׁחָה  
Sense: to bow down.
אֱלֹהִֽים  [you]  gods 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).