Exodus 20:4-5

You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Read all of Exodus 20

8 songs meet this passage

  • “You'll believe God is a woman”

    God is a woman · Ariana Grande

    strains against Exodus 20:4-5

    The song recasts the self as an object of worship ('God'), which stands against the call to worship no image or likeness in place of the Creator.

  • “I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies”

    Take Me to Church · Hozier

    strains against Exodus 20:3-5

    The deliberate choice to worship something known to be false ('lies') is a knowing embrace of idolatry, the very thing the first commandment warns against.

  • Ordinary · Alex Warren

    strains against Exodus 20:3-5

    Altars and prayer belong to worship of God; directing them at a romantic partner edges into treating the relationship as an idol.

  • “I'll be your idol”

    Your Idol · Saja Boys, Andrew Choi, Neckwav, Danny Chung, KEVIN WOO, samUIL Lee & KPop Demon Hunters Cast

    strains against Exodus 20:3-5

    The song's core line is a direct inversion of the first commandment, openly claiming the worship owed to God alone.

  • “I'm down on my knees, I wanna take you there”

    Like a Prayer · Madonna

    strains against Exodus 20:3-5

    Kneeling, the posture of worship, is here given to romantic/sexual longing instead of God, echoing the pattern of misplaced devotion.

  • Numb · LINKIN PARK

    resonates with Exodus 20:5

    The song recognizes a cycle of inherited disappointment passed between generations, echoing the biblical awareness that patterns of sin and hurt can be passed down.

  • “I guess the apple don't fall far from the tree”

    Apple · Charli xcx

    resonates with Exodus 20:5

    The song names the uncomfortable truth Scripture also acknowledges, that patterns and brokenness pass through generations, without excusing them.

  • “The kids of tomorrow don't need today”

    Red Flag · Billy Talent

    strains against Exodus 20:5

    Scripture acknowledges generational sin patterns but frames them as something God addresses through covenant faithfulness, not simply human defiance alone.

Elsewhere in Exodus 20