---
title: "Question 48: What are we specially taught by these words, “before me,” in the first commandment? | Westminster Shorter Catechism"
description: "Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 48: What are we specially taught by these words, “before me,” in the first commandment? These words, “before me,” in the first commandment teach us, that God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much di"
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-48-what-are-we-specially-taught-by-these-words-before/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=164"
---

# Question 48: What are we specially taught by these words, “before me,” in the first commandment? | Westminster Shorter Catechism

These words, “before me,” in the first commandment teach us, that God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God.

Scripture proofs: Ezek. 8:5-18; Ps. 44:20-21.

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=164)

## Related reading

- [What does “Reformed” mean?](https://ctkrp.org/learn/what-is-reformed/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-19-law-of-god/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 39: What is the duty which God requireth of man?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-39-what-is-the-duty-which-god-requireth-of-man/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 91: What is the duty which God requireth of man?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-91-what-is-the-duty-which-god-requireth-of-man/)
- [Question 47](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-47-what-is-forbidden-in-the-first-commandment/)
- [Question 49](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-49-which-is-the-second-commandment/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-48-what-are-we-specially-taught-by-these-words-before/