(The Lord speaking is red text)
Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
Still he took pity on their distress whenever he heard their cry.
Nevertheless He heard their cry; He took note of their distress.
Nevertheless he regarded their distress, When he heard their cry:
Nevertheless he regarded{H7200} their affliction{H6862}, when he heard{H8085} their cry{H7440}:
Psalm 106:44, "Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry," is part of a longer psalm that recounts the history of Israel, emphasizing the people's repeated unfaithfulness to God and His enduring faithfulness to them despite their disobedience. This verse encapsulates the theme of God's compassion and mercy, highlighting His attentiveness to the suffering of His people.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the memory of the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt, their cries for help, and God's response in sending Moses to lead them to freedom. It also reflects the broader narrative of the Exodus and the covenant relationship between God and Israel, which is a central theme throughout the Old Testament. The psalmist is reminding the people of God's consistent character—even when they are unfaithful, God hears their cries and responds with compassion.
In the immediate context of Psalm 106, the verse follows a description of the people's rebellion and the anger that their sins justly provoked from God. Despite their transgressions, when they were afflicted and cried out to Him, He did not abandon them. This speaks to the cyclical nature of the relationship between God and Israel, where judgment is often followed by mercy when the people turn back to God. The verse serves as a powerful testament to God's steadfast love (Hebrew: chesed) and His willingness to hear and respond to the prayers of those in distress, a message that resonates with believers across time, offering hope and assurance of God's compassion in the face of human frailty and sin.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)