Psalms 106:21

They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;

They forgat {H7911} God {H410} their saviour {H3467}, which had done {H6213} great things {H1419} in Egypt {H4714};

They forgot God, who had saved them, who had done great things in Egypt,

They forgot God their Savior, who did great things in Egypt,

They forgat God their Saviour, Who had done great things in Egypt,

Context

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, recounting Israel's long history of rebellion and ingratitude against God, despite His continuous faithfulness and mighty acts of deliverance. Verse 21 specifically refers to the generation of Israelites who were delivered from bondage in Egypt. The preceding verses detail their impatience and idolatry, particularly their worship of the golden calf at Mount Sinai, even after witnessing God's miraculous power.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Forgetfulness: The core message of this verse is Israel's profound spiritual amnesia. They "forgat God their saviour," implying not just an intellectual lapse, but a deliberate turning away or neglect of His character and past deeds. This forgetfulness led to grave disobedience.
  • God's Mighty Deliverance: The verse highlights the incredible acts God performed for them in Egypt, such as the ten plagues and the miraculous parting of the Red Sea. These "great things" should have been indelible in their memory, serving as a constant reminder of His power and love.
  • Ingratitude and Rebellion: Despite experiencing such monumental salvation, Israel quickly turned to idolatry and complained against God, demonstrating a shocking lack of gratitude. This pattern of forgetting God's goodness is a recurring theme throughout their history, as seen in other passages like Deuteronomy 8:11-14.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "forgat" is shakach (שכח), which means more than simply forgetting a fact. It often implies a deliberate ignoring, a turning away, or a neglect of something that should be remembered and honored. It suggests a failure to keep God in mind and to live in light of His past actions. The term "saviour" (Hebrew: yasha, ישע) emphasizes God's role as the one who brings deliverance, rescue, and salvation.

Practical Application

Psalms 106:21 serves as a timeless warning for all believers. Just as Israel forgot God's mighty acts, we too can fall into the trap of spiritual amnesia, forgetting God's past faithfulness in our lives. This verse encourages us to:

  • Remember God's Faithfulness: Actively recall and meditate on the ways God has delivered, provided for, and sustained us. This helps to cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust.
  • Beware of Ingratitude: Acknowledge God's blessings daily, no matter how small. Ingratitude can quickly lead to murmuring and disobedience, mirroring Israel's mistakes in the wilderness (e.g., Numbers 11:1).
  • Learn from History: The Bible's historical accounts are not just stories but lessons. Understanding Israel's failures can help us avoid similar pitfalls in our own walk with God.

By remembering God as our "saviour" and acknowledging the "great things" He has done, we strengthen our faith and deepen our commitment to Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 78:42

    They remembered not his hand, [nor] the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

  • Psalms 78:51

    And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of [their] strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

  • Jeremiah 2:32

    Can a maid forget her ornaments, [or] a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

  • Psalms 106:13

    ¶ They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:

  • Deuteronomy 10:21

    He [is] thy praise, and he [is] thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

  • Psalms 78:11

    And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.

  • Psalms 78:12

    Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, [in] the field of Zoan.

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