There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse isn't just saying God is unique, but that His works are uniquely divine, implying that true faith is found not in abstract ideas about God, but in the powerful, tangible actions He performs. This contrasts with the lifeless deities of other nations, whose worshippers could find no proof of their gods' power in anything they did.
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is in deep distress, crying out to God for help and deliverance from enemies and oppressors. Having just affirmed God's willingness to answer prayer (v. 7), he now pivots to God's unparalleled power, contrasting the true God with the impotent idols of surrounding nations. This declaration of God's uniqueness and might serves as a foundation for further pleas for guidance and steadfastness in the verses that follow.
The world is full of powerful figures and influential ideas, but how do we discern the truly supreme? The psalmist cuts through the noise with a bold declaration.
David confronts the reality of a world where many entities are called 'gods' – whether they be idols, angels, or even powerful rulers.
False Gods Have No Power
He contrasts these with the Lord, emphasizing that unlike these other 'gods' who are mute, powerless, or even non-existent, the Lord is uniquely capable of hearing, saving, and upholding.
God's Unique Nature
This isn't just about comparing strength; it's about God's inherent nature. He is set apart, not just in power, but in His perfections – wisdom, faithfulness, holiness, and love. These are qualities that no other 'god' possesses.
What defines true power? It's not just about might, but about the evidence of that might. David points us to God's works as the ultimate proof.
The verse doesn't just stop at God's unique being; it extends to His actions. 'Neither are there any works like unto thy works,' David exclaims.
Creation and Providence
These 'works' encompass everything from the magnificent creation of the universe to the ongoing, intricate workings of providence that sustain it. They are undeniable displays of His power, wisdom, and skill.
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Redemption and Grace
Beyond creation, God's works also include His redemptive acts – saving His people, answering prayers, and extending grace. These aren't just random events; they are deliberate, powerful interventions that reveal His character and purposes. Worshippers of false gods have no such tangible or reliable evidence of divine power to point to.
Understand the original words
elohim · Hebrew Noun
Used in the ancient Near East to refer to angelic beings, idols, or false deities worshiped by other nations. The Psalmist denies their power or existence compared to the incomparable reality of the true God.
This passage from the Song of Moses is a direct parallel, declaring 'Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?' It reinforces the unique, incomparable nature of God's power and holiness.
Deuteronomy 3:24Moses' plea to God, 'O Lord God, you have begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do these deeds of yours or according to your mighty works?', echoes the psalmist's amazement at God's unique and powerful actions.
Isaiah 40:18-26This prophetic passage sharply contrasts the invisible, incomparable Creator with the man-made idols of the nations, emphasizing that no created thing can be compared to God's might and wisdom, mirroring the psalmist's assertion.
Jeremiah 10:6-7Jeremiah declares, 'There is none like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is great in might. Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For this is your due. For among all the wise of the nations and in all their kingdoms there is none like you.', powerfully underscoring the absolute uniqueness of God among all rulers and powers.
Acts 17:24-25Paul's speech in Athens highlights that the God who made the world 'does not dwell in handmade sanctuaries... nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.' This speaks to the incomparable, self-sufficient nature of the true God compared to the 'gods' of human invention.
clarkePsalms 86:8: "Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works."
Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord - None that trusted in an idol ever had help in time of need; none that prayed to any of them ever had an answer to his petitions. Thou savest; they cannot; thou upholdest; they must be upheld by their foolish worshippers. Thou art my Director, אדני Adonai; but they cannot direct nor teach; they have mouths, but they speak not.
pulpitPsalms 86:8: "Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works."
Verse 8. - Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord (see the Song of Moses, Exodus 15:11). The imaginary gods of the heathen - not, perhaps, known to the psalmist to be wholly imaginary - are probably meant (comp. Psalm 77:19; Psalm 89:6; Psalm 95:3). Neither are there any works like unto thy works. So in Deuteronomy 3:24, "What god is there in heaven or in earth that…
The verse isn't just saying God is unique, but that His works are uniquely divine, implying that true faith is found not in abstract ideas about God, but in the powerful, tangible actions He performs. This contrasts with the lifeless deities of other nations, whose worshippers could find no proof of their gods' power in anything they did.
The psalmist is in deep distress, crying out to God for help and deliverance from enemies and oppressors. Having just affirmed God's willingness to answer prayer (v. 7), he now pivots to God's unparalleled power, contrasting the true God with the impotent idols of surrounding nations. This declaration of God's uniqueness and might serves as a foundation for further pleas for guidance and steadfastness in the verses that follow.
The psalmist is in deep distress, crying out to God for help and deliverance from enemies and oppressors. Having just affirmed God's willingness to answer prayer (v. 7), he now pivots to God's unparalleled power, contrasting the true God with the impotent idols of surrounding nations. This declaration of God's uniqueness and might serves as a foundation for further pleas for guidance and steadfastness in the verses that follow.
"There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours." — The verse isn't just saying God is unique, but that His works are uniquely divine, implying that true faith is found not in abstract ideas about God, but in the powerful, tangible actions He perfor…
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Last reviewed October 2026