Psalm 95 (96); Idols are Demons

Most of you know that I’m working on a translation of the Greek Psalms.  They are important because the writers of the New Testament quoted the Psalms mostly from the Greek version.  Have you wondered where Paul got the idea that idols were demons in 1 Corinthians 10:19-21?  Well, read this Psalm.

Psalm 95 (96)

1 When the house was being built after the captivity, a song by David.

Sing to the Lord a new song, 

sing to the Lord, all the earth;

2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name, 

bring the good news of his salvation day to day;

3 announce to the nations his glory, 

his wonderful things among all the people.

4 For the Lord is great and is extremely praise worthy, 

he is fearful to all the gods;

5 because all the gods of the nations are demons, 

but the Lord made the heavens;

6 acknowledgement and beauty are before him, 

holiness and majesty are in his sanctuary.

7 Bring to the Lord, O families of the nations, 

bring to the Lord glory and honor;

8 bring to the Lord glory to his name, 

take up sacrifice and go into his courts;

9 worship the Lord in his holy court, 

let all the earth be shaken from his face.

10 Say to the nations, “The Lord became king, 

for indeed, he set up the building, which will not be shaken, 

he will judge people with uprightness.”

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, 

let the sea and all its fullness be shaken;

12 the plains will rejoice and all the things in them, 

then, all of the trees of the forest will rejoice

13 before the face of the Lord, because he is coming, 

because he is coming to judge the earth;

he will judge the world in righteousness

and the people in his truth. (My Translation)