Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 5:4

"They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone." — Daniel 5:4 (ASV)

They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, ... - Compare the note at Daniel 5:1. Idols were made among the pagans of all the materials here mentioned. The word "praised" here means that they spoke in praise of these gods: of their history, their attributes, and what they had done.

Nothing can readily be conceived more senseless and stupid than what they are said to have done at this feast, and yet it is a fair illustration of what occurs in all the festivals of idolatry. And is what occurs in more civilized Christian lands, in the scenes of carousal and festivity, more rational than this? It was not much worse to lavish praises on idol gods in a scene of revelry than it is to lavish praises on idol men now; not much less rational to “toast” gods than it is to “toast” men.