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Commentary on Psalms 106 verses 6–12
Here begins a penitential confession of sin, which was in a special manner seasonable now that the church was in distress; for thus we must justify God in all that he brings upon us, acknowledging that therefore he has done right, because we have done wickedly; and the remembrance of former sins, notwithstanding which God did not cast off his people, is an encouragement to us to hope that, though we are justly corrected for our sins, yet we shall not be utterly abandoned.
I. God's afflicted people here own themselves guilty before God (Psa 106:6): "We have sinned with our fathers, that is, like our fathers, after the similitude of their transgression. We have added to the stock of hereditary guilt, and filled up the measure of our fathers' iniquity, to augment yet the fierce anger of the Lord," Num 32:14; Mat 23:32. And see how they lay a load upon themselves, as becomes penitents: "We have committed iniquity, that which is in its own nature sinful, and we have done wickedly; we have sinned with a high hand presumptuously." Or this is a confession, not only of their imitation of, but their interest in, their fathers' sins: We have sinned with our fathers, for we were in their loins and we bear their iniquity, Lam 5:7.
II. They bewail the sins of their fathers when they were first formed into a people, which, since children often smart for, they are concerned to sorrow for, even further than to the third and fourth generation. Even we now ought to take occasion from the history of Israel's rebellions to lament the depravity and perverseness of man's nature and its unaptness to be amended by the most probable means. Observe here,
1.The strange stupidity of Israel in the midst of the favours God bestowed upon them (Psa 106:7): They understood not thy wonders in Egypt. They saw them, but they did not rightly apprehend the meaning and design of them. Blessed are those that have not seen, and yet have understood. They thought the plagues of Egypt were intended for their deliverance, whereas they were intended also for their instruction and conviction, not only to force them out of their Egyptian slavery, but to cure them of their inclination to Egyptian idolatry, by evidencing the sovereign power and dominion of the God of Israel, above all gods, and his particular concern for them. We lose the benefit of providences for want of understanding them. And, as their understandings were dull, so their memories were treacherous; though one would think such astonishing events should never have been forgotten, yet they remembered them not, at least they remembered not the multitude of God's mercies in them. Therefore God is distrusted because his favours are not remembered.
2.Their perverseness arising from this stupidity: They provoked him at the sea, even at the Red Sea. The provocation was, despair of deliverance (because the danger was great) and wishing they had been left in Egypt still, Exo 14:11, Exo 14:12. Quarrelling with God's providence, and questioning his power, goodness, and faithfulness, are as great provocations to him as any whatsoever. The place aggravated the crime; it was at the sea, at the Red Sea, when they had newly come out of Egypt and the wonders God had wrought for them were fresh in their minds; yet they reproach him, as if all that power had no mercy in it, but he had brought them out of Egypt on purpose to kill them in the wilderness. They never lay at God's mercy so immediately as in their passage through the Red Sea, yet there they affront it, and provoke his wrath.
3.The great salvation God wrought for them notwithstanding their provocations, Psa 106:8-11. (1.) He forced a passage for them through the sea: He rebuked the Red Sea for standing in their way and retarding their march, and it was dried up immediately; as, in the creation, at God's rebuke the waters fled, Psa 104:7. Nay, he not only prepared them a way, but, by the pillar of cloud and fire, he led them into the sea, and, by the conduct of Moses, led them through it as readily as through the wilderness. He encouraged them to take those steps, and subdued their fears, when those were their most dangerous and threatening enemies. See Isa 63:12-14. (2.) He interposed between them and their pursuers, and prevented them from cutting them off, as they designed. The Israelites were all on foot, and the Egyptians had all of them chariots and horses, with which they were likely to overtake them quickly, but God saved them from the hand of him that hated them, namely, Pharaoh, who never loved them, but now hated them the more for the plagues he had suffered on their account. From the hand of his enemy, who was just ready to seize them, God redeemed them (Psa 106:10), interposing himself, as it were, in the pillar of fire, between the persecuted and the persecutors. (3.) To complete the mercy, and turn the deliverance into a victory, the Red Sea, which was a lane to them, was a grave to the Egyptians (Psa 106:11): The waters covered their enemies, so as to slay them, but not so as to conceal their shame; for, the next tide, they were thrown up dead upon the shore, Exo 14:30. There was not one of them left alive, to bring tidings of what had become of the rest. And why did God do this for them? Nay, why did he not cover them, as he did their enemies, for their unbelief and murmuring? He tells us (Psa 106:8): it was for his name's sake. Though they did not deserve this favour, he designed it; and their undeservings should not alter his designs, nor break his measures, nor make him withdraw his promise, or fail in the performance of it. He did this for his own glory, that he might make his mighty power to be known, not only in dividing the sea, but in doing it notwithstanding their provocations. Moses prays (Num 14:17, Num 14:19), Let the power of my Lord be great and pardon the iniquity of this people. The power of the God of grace in pardoning sin and sparing sinners is as much to be admired as the power of the God of nature in dividing the waters.
4.The good impression this made upon them for the present (Psa 106:12): Then believed they his words, and acknowledged that God was with them of a truth, and had, in mercy to them, brought them out of Egypt, and not with any design to slay them in the wilderness; then they feared the Lord and his servant Moses, Exo 14:31. Then they sang his praise, in that song of Moses penned on this great occasion, Exo 15:1. See in what a gracious and merciful way God sometimes silences the unbelief of his people, and turns their fears into praises; and so it is written, Those that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and those that murmured shall learn doctrine, Isa 29:24.
"Then believed they in His words" [Psalm 106:12]. The expression seems barely Latin, for he says not "believed His word," or "on His words," but "in His words;" yet it is very frequent in Scripture. "And praised praise unto Him;" such an expression as when we say, "This servitude he served," "such a life he lived." He is here alluding to that well-known hymn, commencing, "I will sing unto the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously: the horse and the rider has He thrown into the sea."
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SUMMARY
Psalms 106:12 captures a profound, albeit tragically transient, moment in Israel's wilderness journey 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 community 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, highlighting the human propensity for spiritual amnesia.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 106:12 employs several significant literary devices that amplify its message. Juxtaposition is paramount, as this moment of profound belief and praise is immediately and tragically contrasted with the Israelites' rapid forgetfulness and rebellion in Psalms 106:13, creating a stark and poignant commentary on human fickleness and spiritual amnesia. This abrupt shift also introduces a powerful element of Irony, as such a profound and seemingly genuine display of faith proves to be fleeting. The use of the temporal adverb "Then" (אָז, 'az) functions as a crucial Temporal Marker, emphasizing the immediate and direct consequence of God's mighty acts, thereby highlighting the cause-and-effect relationship between divine action and human response. Furthermore, the act of "singing his praise" is a form of Synecdoche, where a part (singing) stands for the whole (full-bodied, joyful worship and adoration), conveying the overwhelming joy and exuberance of their communal worship. The psalm as a whole utilizes Narrative Recapitulation, recounting Israel's history to underscore the recurring pattern of God's enduring faithfulness despite His people's persistent unfaithfulness, with this verse serving as a brief, shining, yet ultimately transient, exception to that lamentable 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, trusting reliance on God's character and His promises 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, diligent obedience, 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 and a cautionary tale for all generations.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 106:12 offers a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the depth and endurance of our own faith. 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 redemptive history. Just as the Israelites were moved to belief and praise by God's mighty deliverance, we are called to cultivate a heart that actively 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 serves as a sober warning against spiritual amnesia and the danger of allowing profound spiritual highs to dissipate into forgetfulness. Our praise should be a natural, heartfelt overflow of our belief, not merely a ritual or a fleeting emotion. 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 or temptations arise. We are to learn from Israel's pattern, striving for an enduring faith that continually looks to God's unchanging character and His past faithfulness as the unwavering basis for present and future trust and worship.
Questions for Reflection
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 and desired response to God's mighty acts. However, its brevity, immediately followed by Psalms 106:13, serves as a powerful cautionary tale for all generations. It underscores the human propensity for spiritual amnesia and the profound challenge of sustained faithfulness, even in the face of overwhelming, undeniable evidence of God's power and love. The verse emphasizes that even profound spiritual experiences do not automatically guarantee enduring obedience or a steadfast relationship; true faith requires ongoing remembrance, intentional commitment, and a vigilant guarding of the heart. It sets the stage for the psalm's central message about God's enduring patience and covenant faithfulness despite His people's repeated and lamentable unfaithfulness.
What does "believed his words" truly mean in this context?
Answer: "Believed his words" (from the Hebrew root 'aman') signifies much more than mere 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 from the formidable Egyptian army, was utterly capable and faithful to fulfill all His declarations and intentions for them. 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 and true. This belief was not merely a mental acknowledgement but a deep-seated conviction that moved them to a spontaneous and heartfelt response of worship and praise, as seen in the subsequent clause. It echoes the belief described in Exodus 14:31, where seeing God's work led them to "fear the LORD and believe in the LORD and in his servant Moses."
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, and the steadfast praise due to Him. Israel's temporary belief after the Red Sea miracle vividly 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 eternal Logos made flesh, whose life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection constitute the definitive act of divine deliverance, far surpassing the Red Sea crossing in scope and eternal consequence. It is through His finished work on the cross that true and lasting belief is made possible, not through human effort or fleeting experience, but by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). The "praise" they sang, though genuine in that moment, was a shadow of the "new song" sung to the Lamb of God, who truly takes away the sin of the world and secures eternal salvation (John 1:29). Unlike Israel's temporary faith, the faith granted by the indwelling Holy Spirit in the New Covenant enables believers to fix their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, ensuring a sustained and eternal praise that will never waver, culminating in the worship of the redeemed in glory around His throne.