Psalms 106:40

Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.

Therefore was the wrath {H639} of the LORD {H3068} kindled {H2734} against his people {H5971}, insomuch that he abhorred {H8581} his own inheritance {H5159}.

For this ADONAI's fury blazed up against his people, and he detested his heritage.

So the anger of the LORD burned against His people, and He abhorred His own inheritance.

Therefore was the wrath of Jehovah kindled against his people, And he abhorred his inheritance.

Commentary

Psalm 106:40 reveals a sobering moment in the history of Israel, highlighting the severe consequences of their persistent disobedience and rebellion against God. This verse powerfully conveys the depth of divine displeasure when God's chosen people turned away from Him, emphasizing His holiness and justice.

Context

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, recounting Israel's tumultuous journey from the Exodus through the period of the Judges, detailing their repeated cycles of sin, God's judgment, and His subsequent deliverance in response to their cries. The "Therefore" in verse 40 directly connects to the litany of transgressions enumerated in the preceding verses. These include their idolatry with the golden calf at Horeb, their grumbling and testing God in the wilderness, their involvement in pagan practices like the worship of Baal-peor, and even the horrific practice of sacrificing their children to Canaanite idols. These acts of rebellion and spiritual adultery provoked God's righteous anger.

Key Themes

  • Divine Wrath and Justice: The verse underscores that God's wrath is not arbitrary but a just response to sin and covenant unfaithfulness. His holy character demands a reaction to defilement and rebellion, even from His own people.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: It starkly illustrates the direct and severe consequences of turning away from God. Israel's actions led to a broken relationship and divine judgment, including drought, famine, and defeat by enemies.
  • God's Abhorrence of Sin: The phrase "abhorred his own inheritance" reveals the intensity of God's disgust with their sinful behavior. While God's love for His people is eternal, their actions were so repulsive that they provoked His deep loathing for their sin.
  • The Nature of the Covenant: This verse serves as a reminder that the covenant between God and Israel, while based on God's grace, also contained conditions related to obedience and faithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "abhorred his own inheritance" uses strong language. The Hebrew word translated "abhorred" is qaats (ืงึธืฆึทืฅ), which means to cut off, to loathe, detest, or be disgusted with. It signifies a profound aversion, not merely a mild displeasure. This emphasizes that God's reaction was one of deep revulsion at their persistent idolatry and moral corruption. The term "inheritance" (Hebrew: nachalah, ื ึทื—ึฒืœึธื”) refers to Israel as God's special possession, His chosen heritage. That God would "abhor" His own inheritance highlights the extreme nature of their sin and the immense grief and anger it caused Him.

Related Scriptures

This verse reflects a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament concerning God's response to Israel's unfaithfulness. Similar expressions of divine displeasure can be found in Deuteronomy 31:17, where God warns of turning away from His people, and in Jeremiah 12:7, where God laments having forsaken His heritage due to their wickedness. Despite this strong language of judgment, the Psalm often concludes with a plea for God's mercy, demonstrating His ultimate desire for restoration and salvation for His people.

Practical Application

Psalm 106:40 serves as a timeless warning for all believers. It reminds us that:

  1. Sin is Serious: God is holy, and sin, even from those He loves, provokes His righteous anger. We must never take His grace for granted or presume upon His patience.
  2. Accountability is Real: Our actions have consequences, and a relationship with God does not exempt us from the need for obedience and faithfulness.
  3. God's Character is Consistent: His holiness and justice are unchanging. Understanding His response to sin in the past helps us grasp the seriousness of our own choices today.
Ultimately, this verse, within the broader context of Psalm 106, also points to God's enduring faithfulness, even when His people are unfaithful. While His wrath is kindled, His ultimate desire is for repentance and restoration, demonstrating His unfailing mercies.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 2:14

    And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

  • Deuteronomy 9:29

    Yet they [are] thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm.

  • Judges 3:8

    ยถ Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years.

  • Judges 2:20

    And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;

  • Deuteronomy 32:19

    ยถ And when the LORD saw [it], he abhorred [them], because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.

  • Zechariah 11:8

    Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.

  • Nehemiah 9:27

    Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest [them] from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.