The Lord Is Exalted over the False Gods (vv. 7-9). In the ancient Near East, when one nation conquered another, people interpreted the victory to mean that the gods of the conquering nation were greater than those of the defeated nation. But the Jews were taught that Jehovah was the God of all the earth and that the idols were nothing (see 95:3; 96:5). God allowed Babylon to defeat the Jews because the Jews had greatly sinned against the Lord, not because Babylon’s gods were stronger than Jehovah. The defeat of Babylon by the Medes and Persians was the work of the Lord and not of their false gods, for the prophets predicted this event would occur (Isa. 45–47; Jer. 50–51; Dan. 2:36-38; 7:1-5). Israel’s release from captivity was proof that Jehovah was in control (Jer. 25:1-14; 29:1-14). God’s victories over the idolatrous nations put the idols and their worshippers to shame (v. 7; see Isa. 45:15-17). No wonder the people of Israel rejoiced, for God’s victories were evidence that He alone is “Most High over all the earth” (v. 9 nasb; 83:18). People may not bow down before ugly, man-made idols today, but there are certainly plenty of false gods for them to worship–money, power, possessions, sex, pleasures, recognition–for whatever people serve and sacrifice for, that is what they worship (Matt. 4:10).