The gods are devils?

[Bubba_Switzler]

Psalm 96:5 states that: “For the gods of the gentiles are devils. but the LORD made the heavens.”

I’ve always thought in terms of God being real and pagan gods being figments of superstition.

Is there a belief that the pagan gods were, in fact, fallen angels serving gentiles in return for their worship?

 

[catholic1seeks]

I’m not an expert, but the best answer I have is:

Because monotheism was divinely revealed to our first parents, and later generations branched away from this truth (as we know from the Bible AND history), and we know fallen angels/demons/devils are not of truth (they lead us away from it), we could say they definitely helped past peoples in their religious beliefs.

That’s not to say that the pagans didn’t have any truth. As we know, God’s existence is evident from His creation. So, other truths – divine, revealed truths – could have been seen by reason.

 

[thistle]

Psalm 96:5 states that: “For the gods of the gentiles are devils. but the LORD made the heavens.”

I’ve always thought in terms of God being real and pagan gods being figments of superstition.

Is there a belief that the pagan gods were, in fact, fallen angels serving gentiles in return for their worship?

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 5. Devils. Hebrew elilim, “diminutive gods, (Haydock) nothings, (Calmet) vain things.” (Montanus) (1 Paralipomenon) — We have idols, as Protestants read here. These were in fact, either devils, or vain imaginations of men. St. Paul says, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, 1 Corinthians viii. 4. They cannot claim self-existence, and if the true God were not to support those creatures, the sun, &c., which have been the objects of adoration, they would presently cease to be. (Haydock) — This most plausible species of idolatry is therefore refuted, since the Lord made the heavens. (Calmet) — The Creator alone can be considered as God; the devils prompt the people to adore other things. (Worthington) — It would appear but a small praise for the Lord to be feared above all gods, (Haydock) if they were “nothing.” Hence the Septuagint have used the word devils, to signify, that these potent, but maleficent beings, which the pagans adored, were infinitely beneath God, and worse than nothing. (Berthier)