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Psalms 106:20

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 106:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thus they changed their glory For the likeness of an ox that eateth grass.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thus they changed their glory For the likeness of an ox that eateth grass.
Psalms 106:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 106

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, And covered the company of Abiram.
18And a fire was kindled in their company; The flame burned up the wicked.
19They made a calf in Horeb, And worshipped a molten image.
20Thus they changed their glory For the likeness of an ox that eateth grass.
21They forgat God their Saviour, Who had done great things in Egypt,
22Wondrous works in the land of Ham, [And] terrible things by the Red Sea.
23Therefore he said that he would destroy them, Had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy [them].
← Psalms 106:19Psalms 106:21 →
← Full Chapter 106 Psalms Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thus they changed their glory - Their true glory - the proper object of worship - God. Compare the notes at Romans 1:23. They “exchanged” that as an object of worship for the image of an ox. Into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass - Into the likeness of an ox. That is, They worshipped God under that image. The circumstance of its “eating grass” is added to show the absurdity of the act. Instead of worshipping God - an independent Being, who does not need to be supported, but who himself sustains all things, and provides for all - they worshipped an animal that had need of constant sustenance, and would itself soon die if deprived of its proper nourishment. Compare the notes at Isaiah…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Their glory - God, who was indeed their glory. Into - Into the golden image of an ox or calf, which is so far from feeding his people, as the true God did the Israelites, that he must be fed by them. Psalms 106:23”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Thus: Psa 89:17; Jer 2:11; Rom 1:22, Rom 1:23 their glory: That is, their God, who ought to have been the peculiar object of their glory. into: Exo 20:4, Exo 20:5; Isa 40:18-25 Psalms 106:21”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 106 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification