Psalm 97    

“idols.” The Hebrew text has the word 'eliyl (#0457 אֱלִיל), more literally “Worthless Ones” or “worthless things,” a sarcastic name for “idols” (see commentary on Hab. 2:18, “Worthless Ones”).

“bow down.” The word translated “bowed down,” shachah (#07812 שָׁחָה), is the same Hebrew word as “worship.” The common biblical way of bowing down before people or God was to fall to one’s knees and bow the upper body and face to the earth. “Bow down to him” is bowing down to Yahweh God.

[For more on bowing down, see commentary on 1 Chronicles 29:20.]