"Veneration, Not Worship" Series PART 6: Explanation of Psalm 105:39; 'The Pollution of Works'

 

Explanation of Psalm 105:39

(105:39) and was polluted with their works; and they went a whoring with their own devices.

This verse describes Israel’s moral and spiritual corruption through idolatry and sinful practices, particularly those adopted from the Canaanites and neighboring pagan nations.

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1. Meaning of "Polluted with Their Works"

The Hebrew word for "polluted" (טָמֵא, tamei) signifies ritual defilement, impurity, or corruption. This pollution refers to two major categories of sin:

1. Idolatry – Worshiping false gods and making graven images (Exodus 20:3-5).

2. Immorality – Engaging in sexually immoral and unethical practices associated with pagan rituals.

The "works" (מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם, ma'aseihem) refer to the pagan religious rites that Israel adopted, including:

• Sacrificing to false gods (Baal, Molech, Asherah, etc.)

• Child sacrifice (Psalm 105:37-38, Leviticus 18:21)

• Temple prostitution (linked to fertility cults, e.g., Ashtoreth/Ishtar worship)

• Magic, divination, and necromancy (Deuteronomy 18:9-12)

By engaging in these forbidden practices, Israel defiled itself and violated its covenant relationship with God.

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2. "They Went a Whoring with Their Own Devices"

A. "Whoring" as Spiritual Infidelity

The phrase "went a whoring" (זָנָה, zanah) is a common biblical metaphor for idolatry, portraying Israel as an unfaithful spouse who turns away from God to pursue other gods (e.g., Hosea 1-3, Ezekiel 16).

This spiritual adultery often included:

• Literal prostitution in pagan worship (e.g., temple prostitutes of Baal and Ashtoreth).

• Trusting in political alliances instead of God (e.g., relying on Egypt or Assyria for protection rather than seeking God’s help).

• Following their own sinful desires instead of God's commandments.

B. "Their Own Devices" – The Deceptive Appeal of False Religion

The term "devices" (מוֹעֵצוֹת, mo'atzot) refers to their own schemes, plans, or religious inventions—in other words, they created their own corrupted religious practices rather than obeying God's laws.

• They rationalized their sinful behavior, thinking it would bring prosperity.

• They adopted syncretism, blending Yahweh worship with Canaanite fertility rituals.

• They relied on false prophets and human wisdom instead of God's revealed truth.

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3. Archaeological and Historical Evidence of Israel's Apostasy

A. Idolatrous Worship in Israel and Judah

Excavations in ancient Israel have uncovered:

• Pagan altars and idols at Dan, Bethel, and Samaria, confirming Israel’s worship of Baal and Asherah (1 Kings 12:28-33).

• High places (bamot) with incense altars, where sacrifices to foreign gods occurred (2 Kings 23:5).

• Temple inscriptions and figurines of Asherah (a Canaanite fertility goddess) found in Kuntillet Ajrud suggest that even Yahweh was syncretized with Asherah in some Israelite worship.

B. Sexual Immorality in Pagan Religion

• The Ras Shamra (Ugaritic) texts describe Baal and Ashtoreth worship, which included ritual prostitution as part of fertility rites.

• Archaeologists have found Canaanite fertility figurines, which were likely used in ritualized sexual acts to invoke agricultural blessings.

• The Bible confirms that temple prostitution was a major aspect of Canaanite religion (Deuteronomy 23:17, Hosea 4:14).

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4. Theological and Moral Implications

1. Sin Corrupts the People and the Land – Just as Canaan was defiled by its wickedness (Leviticus 18:24-25), Israel’s sin led to its own defilement and eventual exile (2 Kings 17:7-23, Jeremiah 3:1-9).

2. Idolatry Leads to Moral Decay – Spiritual unfaithfulness to God often manifests in ethical corruption, injustice, and immorality (Hosea 4:1-2).

3. God’s Judgment is Inevitable – Israel’s continued idolatry led to divine judgment, first through the Assyrian destruction of the Northern Kingdom (722 BC) and then through the Babylonian exile of Judah (586 BC).

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Summary 

Psalm 105:39 portrays Israel’s descent into moral and spiritual corruption through idolatry and pagan practices. The use of "polluted" and "whoring" emphasizes the deep betrayal of their covenant with God. Archaeological evidence confirms Israel's involvement in idolatrous worship, including child sacrifice, temple prostitution, and Baal worship. This verse serves as a warning against spiritual compromise and highlights the inevitable consequences of forsaking God’s commandments.