An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism · Martin Luther
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.
I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. [Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep my commandments.] _What is meant by this Commandment?_ _Answer_. We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in vain. _What is meant by this Commandment?_ _Ans._ We should so fear and love God as not to curse, swear, conjure, lie, or deceive, by His Name, but call upon Him in every time of need, and worship Him with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.
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