Psalms 106:34

KJV

¶ They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them:

KJV (with Strong's)

They did not destroy {H8045} the nations {H5971}, concerning whom the LORD {H3068} commanded {H559} them:

Complete Jewish Bible

They failed to destroy the peoples, as ADONAI had ordered them to do,

Berean Standard Bible

They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them,

American Standard Version

They did not destroy the peoples, As Jehovah commanded them,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 106:34 encapsulates a profound moment of Israel's historical failure, vividly illustrating their direct and consequential disobedience to the Lord's explicit command to utterly dispossess the pagan nations inhabiting the Promised Land. This pivotal verse, embedded within a psalm that meticulously chronicles Israel's cyclical rebellion and God's enduring covenant faithfulness, serves as a stark and enduring reminder of the devastating spiritual and national consequences that inevitably arise from spiritual compromise and partial obedience, thereby setting the stage for centuries of idolatry, moral decay, and subsequent suffering within the nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 106 functions as a historical psalm, a communal lament and confession of sin that meticulously recounts the extended narrative of Israel's unfaithfulness, spanning from their miraculous deliverance at the Exodus through their wilderness wanderings and entry into Canaan, culminating in the Babylonian exile. It serves as a poetic synthesis of historical accounts found in books such as Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Judges. Verse 34 specifically harks back to the critical period immediately following Israel's initial entry into Canaan, serving as a poignant lament over their foundational failure to fully obey God's directives concerning the indigenous populations. The preceding verses in [Psalm 106](/psalms/106 "Psalm 106 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Faithfulness") detail Israel's persistent grumbling in the wilderness and their egregious idolatry, while the subsequent verses, particularly [Psalms 106:35-39](/psalms/106-35-39 "Psalms 106:35-39 - The Consequences of Idolatry and Child Sacrifice"), elaborate on the bitter and tragic fruits of this initial act of disobedience: intermarriage, the adoption of pagan cultic practices, and the horrific sin of child sacrifice. This verse, therefore, acts as a crucial narrative hinge, pinpointing the root cause of much of Israel's subsequent spiritual decline and national apostasy.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Upon their miraculous exodus from Egyptian bondage and their arduous journey towards the Promised Land, God issued clear, emphatic, and repeated commands to Israel to utterly dispossess, drive out, and destroy the Canaanite nations. These divine mandates, found in passages such as [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7-1-6 "Deuteronomy 7:1-6 - God's Command to Drive Out the Nations") and [Exodus 23:31-33](/exodus/23-31-33 "Exodus 23:31-33 - Warning Against Covenants with Inhabitants"), were not arbitrary acts of cruelty but rather a divinely ordained prophylactic measure. The Canaanites were deeply entrenched in abhorrent idolatrous worship, including ritual prostitution, child sacrifice to deities like Molech, and various forms of spiritual and moral defilement that were an abomination to God's holiness. God's overarching intention was to establish a distinct, holy nation, set apart for His glory, whose identity would be solely rooted in their covenant relationship with Him. The continued presence of these morally corrupt nations posed an existential threat to Israel's spiritual purity, their unique identity as God's chosen people, and their faithfulness to the covenant. Their tragic failure to obey this absolute command, as vividly detailed in the early chapters of [the book of Judges](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Israel's Partial Conquest"), directly led to the very spiritual compromise and syncretism God sought to prevent, plunging Israel into cycles of apostasy and judgment.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several recurring and foundational themes found throughout the Old Testament narrative. Primarily, it highlights the theme of **disobedience to divine command**, emphasizing that Israel's failure was not a mere oversight or a minor transgression, but a direct and deliberate contravention of God's explicit and clearly communicated will. This leads directly to the profound theme of **the danger of partial obedience**; Israel did not completely disregard God's instructions to enter the land, but their incomplete obedience—their failure to "destroy the nations" fully—proved to be as destructive, if not more insidious, than outright rebellion, illustrating that God demands wholehearted submission, not just selective adherence. Furthermore, the verse introduces the pervasive theme of **compromise and its devastating consequences**. By allowing the Canaanite inhabitants to remain within the land, Israel opened the floodgates to intermarriage, the insidious assimilation of pagan religious practices, and widespread idolatry, which became a pervasive and debilitating problem throughout their history, clearly seen in the cyclical pattern of apostasy and judgment described in [Judges 2:11-15](/judges/2-11-15 "Judges 2:11-15 - Israel's Disobedience and Oppression"). This fundamental failure to "destroy the nations" ultimately compromised their unique covenant relationship with God and inexorably led to their spiritual and national decline.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Destroy (Hebrew, _shâmad'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁמַד (H8045, _shâmad'_) carries the potent connotation of complete annihilation, utter destruction, or cutting off. It implies a decisive, thorough, and often violent action, frequently used in the context of eliminating a people, a threat, or an idol. In the divine command to Israel, it unequivocally meant the complete removal of the Canaanite inhabitants from the land, whether through expulsion or extermination, specifically to prevent their corrupting influence. The psalmist's use of "did not destroy" (לֹא הִשְׁמִידוּ, _lo hishmîdû_) starkly highlights Israel's failure to execute this absolute and necessary instruction, underscoring the severity of their disobedience and its far-reaching negative implications for their spiritual purity and national identity.
* **Commanded (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** The Hebrew verb אָמַר (H559, _ʼâmar'_) is a primitive root meaning "to say," but it is used with great latitude, encompassing concepts like to appoint, bid, charge, declare, or, as in this context, to command. When used in relation to God, it signifies a divine utterance that carries absolute authority and expectation of obedience. The phrase "concerning whom the LORD commanded them" (אֲשֶׁר אָמַר יְהוָה לָהֶם, _ʼasher ʼâmar Yᵉhôvâh lahem_) emphasizes that Israel's failure was not due to ignorance or ambiguity, but a direct and deliberate defiance of a clear, explicit, and authoritative divine mandate from YHWH (H3068), the self-existent and eternal God. This highlights the high stakes of their disobedience, as it was a direct affront to the very will of their sovereign Lord.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They did not destroy the nations":** This opening clause directly and unequivocally states Israel's primary and foundational failure. The "they" refers collectively to the Israelites, specifically the generations that entered and began to settle in the Promised Land under Joshua and the subsequent judges. The "nations" (גּוֹיִם, _goyim_) refers to the various indigenous Canaanite peoples whom God had condemned due to their egregious idolatry, pervasive immorality, and deep moral depravity. The psalmist here laments Israel's active choice *not* to carry out God's precise command, indicating a deliberate act of omission, a conscious withholding of full obedience, rather than mere oversight or inability. This failure was a foundational sin that allowed the seeds of future apostasy, syncretism, and spiritual compromise to take deep root within the covenant community.
* **"concerning whom the LORD commanded them":** This second clause provides the crucial divine context and underscores the gravity of Israel's failure. It clarifies that their inaction was not a matter of ignorance, a lack of clear instruction, or a misunderstanding of divine will, but rather a direct and conscious defiance of a clear, explicit, and repeatedly issued divine mandate. The phrase "the LORD commanded them" (אֲשֶׁר אָמַר יְהוָה לָהֶם, _ʼasher ʼâmar Yᵉhôvâh lahem_) emphasizes the absolute authority and undeniable clarity of God's word. This specific command was given for Israel's protection, spiritual well-being, and the preservation of their unique identity as a holy nation, precisely to prevent them from being ensnared by the idolatrous and immoral practices of the land's inhabitants. Their disobedience was therefore not merely a tactical error but a profound rejection of God's wisdom, a betrayal of their covenant responsibilities, and a direct affront to His holiness.

#### Literary Devices
The psalmist employs **Historical Narrative** as the overarching literary device in Psalm 106, recounting Israel's past failures and God's enduring faithfulness to illustrate a consistent pattern of human rebellion and divine patience. Within this broader narrative, verse 34 functions as a concise, lamenting statement of a critical turning point and a foundational act of disobedience. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present within the verse's implications: God commanded the utter destruction of the nations for Israel's protection and spiritual purity, yet Israel's failure to obey this command ironically led to their own spiritual destruction and profound defilement by the very nations they spared. This highlights the tragic and often paradoxical consequences of human will opposing divine wisdom. The verse's direct, declarative, and almost accusatory statement also imbues it with a powerful **Didactic** quality, serving as a cautionary tale for future generations, including the psalmist's contemporary audience and believers today, about the perilous nature of partial obedience and the insidious dangers of spiritual compromise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 106:34 resonates deeply with several core theological truths that transcend its historical context. It profoundly underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His inherent right to command His people, emphasizing that His divine commands are always issued for their ultimate good, even when they appear harsh, difficult, or counter-intuitive from a human perspective. The persistent failure of Israel to fully obey, despite experiencing God's miraculous deliverance and enduring covenant faithfulness, reveals the pervasive human tendency towards rebellion, spiritual apathy, and compromise. This verse also highlights the vital importance of holiness and separation for God's covenant people; the command to destroy the nations was fundamentally about preserving Israel's distinct identity as a holy nation, consecrated to God and untainted by the pervasive idolatry and immorality of Canaan. Their tragic failure to maintain this divinely mandated separation inevitably led to spiritual syncretism, demonstrating that compromise with the world's values, practices, and philosophies inevitably leads to the corruption and dilution of genuine faith.

* [Deuteronomy 7:2-4](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2-4 - God's Command to Make No Covenant with the Nations")
* [Judges 2:1-3](/judges/2-1 "Judges 2:1-3 - The Angel of the Lord Rebukes Israel")
* [2 Corinthians 6:14-18](/2_corinthians/6-14 "2 Corinthians 6:14-18 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked with Unbelievers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 106:34 serves as a potent and timeless warning for believers today, transcending its ancient historical setting. Just as the Canaanite nations represented profound spiritual dangers and temptations to ancient Israel, there are analogous "nations" or ungodly influences in our contemporary lives that God commands us to decisively remove or avoid for the sake of our spiritual well-being and purity. These modern "nations" can manifest as persistent sinful habits, worldly philosophies that directly contradict biblical truth, cultural norms that subtly erode our devotion to Christ, or relationships that compromise our integrity. The insidious temptation to practice partial obedience—to follow God wholeheartedly in some areas of our lives while neglecting or willfully disobeying Him in others—is a subtle yet profoundly dangerous snare. This verse challenges us to undertake a rigorous self-examination, identifying areas where we might be compromising, allowing ungodly influences to remain unchallenged, or failing to fully obey God's clear and unambiguous commands. True spiritual health, flourishing, and fruitfulness come only from wholeheartedly following the Lord's instructions and diligently removing anything that hinders our intimate walk with Him, trusting implicitly in His divine wisdom for our protection, sanctification, and ultimate prosperity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "nations" or ungodly influences in my life is God explicitly commanding me to utterly remove or avoid for my spiritual health?**
* **Where might I be practicing partial obedience, and what are the potential spiritual consequences of this compromise on my relationship with God?**
* **How does my commitment to holiness and separation from worldly values genuinely reflect my love and unreserved obedience to God?**
* **What concrete, practical steps can I take today to more fully obey God's commands in areas where I have previously compromised or held back?**

### FAQ

**Why did God command Israel to "destroy the nations"? Was this not harsh?**

Answer: God's command to "destroy the nations" (specifically the Canaanites) was not an act of arbitrary cruelty or capricious violence but a divinely ordained judgment against peoples whose wickedness and moral depravity had reached its full measure, as foreshadowed in [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites"). Their religious practices were an abomination to God's holiness, including widespread child sacrifice, cultic prostitution, and severe moral corruption. Furthermore, the command served as a crucial protective measure for Israel. God, in His omniscience, knew that if the Canaanites remained, their pervasive idolatrous and immoral practices would inevitably corrupt His chosen people, leading them astray from the covenant and into spiritual ruin. The command was therefore a severe but necessary act of divine justice and a means to preserve the spiritual purity and distinct identity of the nation through whom the Messiah would eventually come. It highlighted God's absolute intolerance for sin and His unwavering commitment to establishing a holy people set apart for Himself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 106:34 poignantly highlights Israel's profound and recurring failure to fulfill God's command, a failure that starkly underscores humanity's pervasive inability to perfectly obey divine law and maintain spiritual purity. This inherent brokenness and spiritual compromise, stemming from their failure to "destroy the nations" and separate themselves, finds its ultimate resolution and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Unlike Israel, who repeatedly disobeyed and compromised, Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Law and all of God's commands, living a life of absolute and unwavering obedience, as He Himself declared, "[I always do what pleases Him](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father")". Moreover, where Israel failed to eradicate the spiritual enemies within the land and succumbed to their influence, Jesus, as the true and greater Joshua, utterly defeated the ultimate "nations" of sin, death, and the devil through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection (see [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). He did not merely drive out external enemies but decisively conquered the internal spiritual forces that enslave humanity. Through His perfect obedience and decisive victory, Christ provides the means for believers to truly be set apart from the world's corrupting influences, empowering them by His indwelling Spirit to live lives of holiness and obedience that Israel could not achieve on its own (as articulated in [Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3-4 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Christ")). He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), making a way for a new people who are truly consecrated to God and enabled to walk in His ways.

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

Judges 1:21

¶ And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.

Deuteronomy 7:16

And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that [will be] a snare unto thee.

Deuteronomy 7:2

And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

Joshua 23:12

Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, [even] these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:

Joshua 23:13

Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out [any of] these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

Matthew 17:19

Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

Matthew 17:20

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.