Psalms 106:12

KJV

Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then believed {H539} they his words {H1697}; they sang {H7891} his praise {H8416}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then they believed his words, and they sang his praise.

Berean Standard Bible

Then they believed His promises and sang His praise.

American Standard Version

Then believed they his words; They sang his praise.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 106:12 captures a pivotal, albeit transient, moment in Israel's history when, immediately following God's awe-inspiring deliverance at the Red Sea, the people responded with genuine faith and exuberant worship. This verse serves as a poignant snapshot of a people deeply moved by divine intervention, believing God's promises and erupting in communal praise, yet it simultaneously sets the stage for the psalm's overarching lament concerning their subsequent and repeated unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 106 is a historical psalm, part of the fourth book of the Psalter (Psalms 90-106). It serves as a communal confession of Israel's long history of rebellion against God, despite His persistent faithfulness. Verse 12 directly follows a vivid recounting of God's mighty acts of salvation, specifically the miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh's army (verses 7-11). The "Then" (אָז, *'az*) emphatically signals an immediate, direct consequence of these overwhelming demonstrations of divine power. This moment of belief and praise, however, stands in stark and tragic contrast to the very next verse, [Psalms 106:13](/psalms/106-13 "Psalms 106:13 - Israel's Forgetfulness"), which reveals how quickly their faith wavered and they "soon forgat his works." This juxtaposition is central to the psalm's message, highlighting the human propensity for spiritual amnesia and the challenge of sustained faithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Psalms 106:12 refer to the Exodus narrative, particularly the crossing of the Red Sea as detailed in [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Red Sea Crossing"). For the Israelites, this was the defining moment of their national birth and liberation from Egyptian slavery, a profound demonstration of Yahweh's unique power and covenant faithfulness. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a god's power was often measured by their ability to deliver their people from enemies. The complete annihilation of the Egyptian army was an unparalleled display of divine might, demanding an immediate and overwhelming response. Communal singing and praise were customary forms of expressing joy, gratitude, and reverence for a deliverer, as exemplified by the [Song of Moses and Miriam](/exodus/15 "Exodus 15 - The Song of the Sea") immediately following the Red Sea crossing.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several critical themes within Psalm 106 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Deliverance and Human Response**, demonstrating how God's saving acts are intended to elicit faith and worship from His people. Secondly, it illustrates **Faith Born of Experience**, where the Israelites' belief was solidified by their direct encounter with God's power and faithfulness, echoing [Exodus 14:31](/exodus/14-31 "Exodus 14:31 - Israel Believes the Lord"). Thirdly, **Praise as an Expression of Belief** is central, presenting singing as the natural, spontaneous overflow of a heart that truly trusts and reveres God. Finally, and most crucially, the verse implicitly introduces the theme of **The Fleeting Nature of Faith** or **Human Fickleness**. While a moment of genuine belief and praise, the psalm's subsequent verses immediately underscore the brevity of this faithfulness, setting up the recurring pattern of Israel's rebellion and God's enduring patience throughout their history, a theme woven throughout the entire [book of Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms - Songs and Prayers of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Believed (Hebrew, _'aman'_):** This verb signifies more than mere intellectual assent; it denotes firm trust, reliance, and faithfulness. It implies a deep conviction that God's words are true and His power is absolute. From this root comes the word "Amen," meaning "so be it" or "it is true," reflecting a profound affirmation of truth and reliability. In this context, their belief was a profound recognition of God's sovereignty and a commitment to His promises, directly stemming from the tangible evidence of His power at the Red Sea.
* **Praise (Hebrew, _tehillah'_):** While the KJV translates "sang his praise," the Hebrew phrase is "they sang His _tehillah_." _Tehillah_ refers to a hymn or song of praise, often specifically directed towards God. It is a public, joyful, and often spontaneous expression of adoration and thanksgiving. This word is closely related to "Hallelujah" (Praise Yah), emphasizing a communal and exuberant act of worship that acknowledges God's greatness and His mighty deeds. The act of singing signifies joy, relief, and deep reverence for their Deliverer.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then believed they his words":** This clause describes the immediate, profound impact of God's miraculous intervention at the Red Sea upon the Israelites. Their belief was not a pre-existing intellectual conviction but a direct, awe-struck response to the tangible demonstration of God's power and faithfulness in saving them from Pharaoh's army. It signifies a moment of genuine trust in God's promises and His ability to act on their behalf, echoing the declaration in [Exodus 14:31](/exodus/14-31 "Exodus 14:31 - Israel Believes the Lord after the Red Sea"). This belief was born out of a fresh, overwhelming experience of divine salvation.
* **"they sang his praise":** This clause describes the natural and spontaneous overflow of their newfound belief and profound gratitude. Singing praise was a communal act of worship, a triumphant and joyful expression of thanksgiving and adoration for God's victory. This act likely refers to the [Song of Moses and Miriam](/exodus/15-1 "Exodus 15:1 - The Song of Moses and Miriam") in Exodus 15, a powerful hymn celebrating God's triumph over their enemies. It signifies not just intellectual assent but a heartfelt, public, and exuberant acknowledgment of God as their Deliverer and Protector.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Juxtaposition** is paramount, as this moment of profound belief and praise is immediately contrasted with the Israelites' rapid forgetfulness and rebellion in [Psalms 106:13](/psalms/106-13 "Psalms 106:13 - Israel's Forgetfulness"), creating a stark and tragic commentary on human fickleness. This contrast also introduces a powerful element of **Irony**, as such a profound display of faith proves to be fleeting. The use of "Then" (אָז, *'az*) functions as a **Temporal Marker**, emphasizing the immediate and direct consequence of God's mighty acts, highlighting the cause-and-effect relationship between divine action and human response. Furthermore, the act of "singing praise" is a form of **Hyperbole**, conveying the overwhelming joy and exuberance of their worship, a full-bodied, communal expression of their awe. The psalm as a whole utilizes **Narrative Recapitulation**, recounting Israel's history to underscore the recurring pattern of God's faithfulness despite His people's persistent unfaithfulness, with this verse serving as a brief, shining exception to that pattern.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 106:12 serves as a theological anchor, illustrating the ideal human response to divine revelation and deliverance: genuine belief leading to heartfelt praise. It underscores that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but a profound trust that compels a response of worship and obedience. This verse, however, also sets up the psalm's central theological tension: the enduring faithfulness of God juxtaposed against the recurring unfaithfulness of His covenant people. It reminds us that even profound spiritual experiences do not guarantee sustained faith without intentional remembrance and continued reliance on God. The fleeting nature of Israel's belief here highlights the persistent challenge for humanity to maintain a steadfast relationship with a faithful God, a theme echoed throughout biblical history.

* [Psalms 78:11](/psalms/78-11 "Psalms 78:11 - They Forgot His Works") - Another historical psalm lamenting Israel's tendency to forget God's works and promises.
* [Hebrews 3:12](/hebrews/3-12 "Hebrews 3:12-19 - Warning Against Unbelief") - A New Testament warning against the dangers of unbelief and a "hardened heart," drawing parallels to Israel's wilderness generation.
* [James 2:19](/james/2-19 "James 2:19 - Faith Without Works is Dead") - States that even demons "believe—and shudder," emphasizing that true saving faith involves more than mere intellectual acknowledgement; it must lead to action and transformation.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 106:12 offers a powerful mirror for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our faith should be a dynamic, responsive trust in God, especially in light of His demonstrated power and faithfulness in our lives and in history. Just as the Israelites were moved to belief and praise by God's mighty deliverance, we are called to cultivate a heart that remembers God's past interventions, both personal and global, and allows that remembrance to deepen our trust in Him. The immediate contrast with [Psalms 106:13](/psalms/106-13 "Psalms 106:13 - Israel's Quick Forgetfulness") serves as a sober warning against spiritual amnesia. Our praise should be a natural, heartfelt overflow of our belief, not merely a ritual. Sustained faith requires active remembrance, intentional gratitude, and a vigilant guarding against the tendency to quickly forget God's goodness and promises when new trials arise. We are to learn from Israel's pattern, striving for an enduring faith that continually looks to God's character and His past faithfulness as the basis for present and future trust.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What recent "Red Sea moments" in your life or in history have prompted you to believe God's words more deeply?**
* **How does your praise reflect the depth of your belief in God's character and His works?**
* **What practices can you cultivate to guard against the "forgetfulness" that plagued the Israelites, ensuring your faith remains steadfast?**
* **In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to maintain consistent belief and praise, especially after a significant spiritual high?**

### FAQ

**Why is this verse so important if their faith was short-lived?**

Answer: This verse is crucial precisely because of its immediate context and the stark contrast it presents. It highlights a genuine, albeit temporary, moment of faith and worship from Israel, demonstrating the ideal response to God's mighty acts. However, its brevity, immediately followed by [Psalms 106:13](/psalms/106-13 "Psalms 106:13 - Israel's Forgetfulness"), serves as a powerful cautionary tale. It underscores the human propensity for spiritual amnesia and the challenge of sustained faithfulness, even in the face of overwhelming evidence of God's power. The verse emphasizes that even profound spiritual experiences do not automatically guarantee enduring obedience; true faith requires ongoing remembrance and commitment. It sets the stage for the psalm's central message about God's enduring patience despite His people's repeated unfaithfulness.

**What does "believed his words" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: "Believed his words" (from the Hebrew root _'aman'_) signifies more than intellectual assent; it implies a deep, trusting reliance on God's character and His promises. In this context, it means the Israelites fully trusted that God, who had just miraculously delivered them, was capable and faithful to fulfill all His declarations. Their belief was born out of the tangible, undeniable evidence of God's power at the Red Sea, leading to a profound conviction that His spoken word was utterly reliable. This belief was not merely a mental acknowledgement but a deep-seated conviction that moved them to a response of worship and praise, as seen in the subsequent clause. It echoes the belief described in [Exodus 14:31](/exodus/14-31 "Exodus 14:31 - Israel Believes the Lord"), where seeing God's work led them to fear and believe Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 106:12, while depicting a fleeting moment of Israelite faith and praise, ultimately points to the enduring and perfect faith found in Christ. Israel's temporary belief after the Red Sea miracle foreshadows humanity's inherent inability to maintain steadfast faith through their own strength, thus highlighting the profound need for a greater, more lasting deliverance. Jesus Christ is the ultimate "word" of God, the [Logos made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), whose life, death, and resurrection constitute the definitive act of divine deliverance, far surpassing the Red Sea crossing. It is through His finished work on the cross that true and lasting belief is made possible, not through human effort but by grace through faith ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")). The "praise" they sang, though genuine, was a shadow of the "new song" sung to the [Lamb of God](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The New Song to the Lamb"), who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Unlike Israel's temporary faith, the faith granted by the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant enables believers to fix their eyes on [Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, Author and Perfecter of Faith"), ensuring a sustained and eternal praise that will never waver, culminating in the worship of the redeemed in glory.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 14:31

And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

Exodus 15:21

And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Luke 8:13

They on the rock [are they], which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

John 8:30

As he spake these words, many believed on him.

John 8:31

¶ Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed;