Psalms 106:24

KJV

Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:

KJV (with Strong's)

Yea, they despised {H3988} the pleasant {H2532} land {H776}, they believed {H539} not his word {H1697}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Next, they rejected the beautiful land, they didn't trust his promise;

Berean Standard Bible

They despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His promise.

American Standard Version

Yea, they despised the pleasant land, They believed not his word,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 106:24 serves as a poignant indictment of Israel's profound unbelief and ingratitude, specifically referencing their refusal to enter the Promised Land. Despite God's miraculous deliverance and faithful provision, the generation delivered from Egypt despised the "pleasant land" that was their divine inheritance, choosing instead to believe the fearful report of ten spies over the explicit promise of the Almighty. This verse encapsulates a pivotal moment of rebellion that resulted in severe consequences, highlighting the destructive nature of distrusting God's word and despising His gifts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, part of Book IV of the Psalter (Psalms 90-106). It serves as a communal confession of sin, recounting Israel's long and tragic history of rebellion against Yahweh, from the Exodus through the wilderness wanderings, the period of the Judges, and into the monarchy, culminating in exile. This psalm stands in stark contrast to [Psalm 105](/psalms/105 "Psalm 105 - God's Faithfulness to His Covenant"), which celebrates God's faithfulness to His covenant. Psalm 106, however, focuses on the people's repeated unfaithfulness, framing their history as a cycle of sin, divine judgment, and merciful deliverance. Verse 24 is situated within the wilderness narrative, specifically recalling the events at Kadesh-Barnea as detailed in [Numbers 13-14](/numbers/13-14 "Numbers 13-14 - The Spies and Israel's Unbelief"), a foundational moment of national failure that set the trajectory for forty years of wandering.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalms 106:24 is the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. After the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea and receiving the Law at Sinai, they arrived at the border of Canaan, the land promised to their patriarchs. This land, described as "flowing with milk and honey" in [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - God's Promise of the Land"), was God's gracious inheritance. Culturally, the ancient Near East often viewed land as a divine gift, a symbol of blessing and covenant fidelity. The sending of twelve spies, one from each tribe, was a customary practice before military engagement. However, the people's response to the spies' report, prioritizing the formidable inhabitants over God's power and promise, revealed a deep-seated lack of trust. Their fear of the "giants" (Nephilim/Anakim) and fortified cities, despite witnessing God's overwhelming power against Egypt, demonstrated a profound spiritual amnesia and a failure to grasp the implications of their covenant relationship with Yahweh.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [Psalm 106](/psalms/106 "Psalm 106 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Mercy") and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **unbelief and distrust** in God's word and power. The people's failure to "believe his word" was not merely intellectual skepticism but a profound spiritual rejection of God's ability to fulfill His promises, despite overwhelming evidence of His faithfulness. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **despising God's gifts and blessings**. The "pleasant land" was a tangible expression of God's covenant love and provision, yet it was scorned due to fear. This act of despising reflects a deeper ingratitude and a failure to value what God had graciously provided. Finally, the verse foreshadows the **consequences of disobedience and unbelief**. The immediate result of this national sin, as detailed in [Numbers 14:26-35](/numbers/14-26-35 "Numbers 14:26-35 - The Judgment for Unbelief"), was the condemnation of an entire generation to die in the wilderness, never entering the land they had disdained. This serves as a stark warning about the severe repercussions of failing to trust and obey God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Despised (Hebrew, _mâʼaç'_):** Based on the provided H3988 data, this primitive root means "to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear." Its semantic range includes "abhor, cast away (off), contemn, despise, disdain, (become) loathe(some), refuse, reject, reprobate." In Psalms 106:24, it signifies Israel's active, willful, and contemptuous rejection of God's gracious gift, the land of Canaan. It implies a deep-seated disrespect and disdain for God's provision and promise, viewing it as vile or worthless rather than delightful.
* **Pleasant (Hebrew, _chemdâh'_):** As the feminine form of H2532, this word denotes "delight," "desire," "goodly," or "precious." When applied to the land (H776, _ʼerets_), it highlights the inherent desirability, beauty, and goodness of Canaan as God's chosen inheritance for His people. The psalm uses this term to emphasize the profound irony: God presented them with a land that was truly delightful and precious, yet they actively despised it, showcasing their ingratitude and flawed perception.
* **Believed (Hebrew, _ʼâman'_):** This primitive root (H539) fundamentally means "to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain." The negative construction "believed not" (Hebrew: `lo' he'eminu`) signifies a failure to put trust or faith in God's reliability and His spoken word (H1697, _dâbâr_). It indicates a fundamental breakdown of relational trust, which is the cornerstone of the covenant, leading to a rejection of God's truth and promises.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea, they despised the pleasant land,"**: This clause immediately establishes the core sin: a contemptuous rejection of God's gracious gift. The "pleasant land" refers to Canaan, the promised inheritance, described in terms of its beauty and desirability by God Himself. The people's act of despising it reveals a profound ingratitude and a failure to value what God had prepared for them, prioritizing their fears over His promises.
* **"they believed not his word:"**: This second clause identifies the root cause of their despising the land. Their rejection stemmed from a fundamental lack of faith in God's spoken promise. Despite all the miracles they had witnessed – the Exodus, the parting of the Red Sea, the manna from heaven – they chose to believe the fearful report of the spies over the omnipotent word of God. This highlights that their primary sin was not just disobedience, but the underlying distrust in God's faithfulness and power to fulfill what He had declared.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Parallelism** is evident, as the two clauses, "they despised the pleasant land" and "they believed not his word," are syntactically and semantically linked, with the second clause explaining the first. The despising of the land is a direct consequence of their unbelief in God's word. There is also a strong sense of **Irony**, as the people rejected a land described as "pleasant" or "delightful," a divine gift, because of their fear and lack of faith. This highlights the tragic contrast between God's benevolent provision and humanity's shortsightedness. The "pleasant land" itself functions as a **Symbol** of God's covenant blessings and faithfulness, and their rejection of it symbolizes their rejection of God's covenant promises. The psalm also uses **Retrospection** by looking back at a critical historical event, drawing a lesson from the past for the present generation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 106:24 is a foundational verse for understanding the critical role of faith in the biblical narrative and the severe consequences of unbelief. Theologically, it underscores that God's promises are contingent not on human merit, but on human trust. The "pleasant land" was a tangible expression of God's covenant faithfulness, and the people's rejection of it was, in essence, a rejection of God Himself. This event serves as a powerful Old Testament paradigm for the dangers of a hardened heart and a failure to appropriate God's grace through faith. It reveals that unbelief is not merely a passive state but an active rebellion against the character and word of God, leading to exclusion from His promised blessings. The New Testament frequently draws upon this historical example as a solemn warning for believers.

* [Numbers 14:11](/numbers/14-11 "Numbers 14:11 - God's Anger at Israel's Unbelief")
* [Hebrews 3:19](/hebrews/3-19 "Hebrews 3:19 - The Consequence of Unbelief")
* [Hebrews 4:11](/hebrews/4-11 "Hebrews 4:11 - Striving to Enter God's Rest")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 106:24 serves as a timeless and sobering warning for all who claim to follow God. It challenges us to honestly examine the state of our faith, particularly when faced with obstacles or perceived "giants" in our lives. Do we allow fear, doubt, or the intimidating nature of circumstances to overshadow the clear, powerful promises of God? This verse calls us to cultivate a robust, active faith that trusts God's word more than our senses or the reports of the world. It reminds us that God's blessings, like the "pleasant land," are often received through courageous faith, not through human strength or perfect understanding. To despise God's gifts, whether spiritual or material, because of unbelief is to forfeit the fullness of His purposes for our lives. We are called to value His promises, embrace His provisions, and walk in confident obedience, knowing that His word is utterly reliable, even when the path ahead seems daunting.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "pleasant lands" or divine promises might I be despising or neglecting in my life due to fear or unbelief?**
* **In what areas of my life am I struggling to believe God's word, and what are the underlying reasons for this distrust?**
* **How does my response to challenges reveal the true object of my trust – God's power or my own limitations/circumstances?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper, more resilient faith in God's promises?**

### FAQ

**What does "despised the pleasant land" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: "Despised the pleasant land" means that the Israelites actively rejected and scorned the land of Canaan, which God had promised them and described as a land of delight and abundance. This rejection was not merely a passive dislike but a willful act of contempt, stemming from their fear of the land's inhabitants (the "giants") and their profound unbelief in God's ability to deliver on His promise. They saw the obstacles as greater than God's power, effectively devaluing and turning away from the very gift God intended as their inheritance and blessing. This act of despising the land was a direct manifestation of their deeper sin: despising God's word and His faithfulness. The full account is found in [Numbers 13-14](/numbers/13-14 "Numbers 13-14 - The Spies and Israel's Unbelief"), where ten of the twelve spies brought back a fearful report that led the people to weep, complain, and even desire to return to Egypt, rejecting the land God had prepared for them.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 106:24, with its stark portrayal of Israel's unbelief and their forfeiture of the physical promised land, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. The "pleasant land" of Canaan, though a tangible blessing, was ultimately a shadow of a greater, spiritual inheritance. In Christ, believers are offered not merely a physical land, but an eternal "rest" and a spiritual inheritance in the heavenly places (as described in [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1-11 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - The Promise of Rest")). Just as Israel's unbelief prevented them from entering Canaan, so too does unbelief prevent people from entering into God's eternal rest and experiencing the fullness of salvation found in Jesus. Christ is the ultimate "pleasant land," the true embodiment of God's promises and the source of all blessing. He is the faithful One whom Israel failed to trust. Through His perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice, He has secured for His people an inheritance that cannot perish, spoil, or fade ([1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3-5 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - A Living Hope and Incorruptible Inheritance")). Those who believe in Him, unlike the generation in the wilderness, are not condemned to wander in a spiritual wilderness but are brought into the very presence of God, inheriting eternal life and all spiritual blessings in Him ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed in Christ")). Thus, the warning of Psalms 106:24 serves to highlight the supreme importance of faith in Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises, through whom we receive access to the true and everlasting "pleasant land."

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

Deuteronomy 1:32

Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,

Numbers 14:31

But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.

Hebrews 3:18

And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

Hebrews 3:19

So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Ezekiel 20:6

In the day [that] I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which [is] the glory of all lands:

Hebrews 4:6

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

Matthew 22:5

But they made light of [it], and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: