Psalms 106:43

Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked [him] with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.

Many {H7227} times {H6471} did he deliver {H5337} them; but they provoked {H4784} him with their counsel {H6098}, and were brought low {H4355} for their iniquity {H5771}.

Many times [God] rescued them, but they kept making plans to rebel. Thus they were brought low by their own wrongdoing.

Many times He rescued them, but they were bent on rebellion and sank down in their iniquity.

Many times did he deliver them; But they were rebellious in their counsel, And were brought low in their iniquity.

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 106:43 (KJV)

Psalms 106:43 encapsulates a poignant summary of Israel's tumultuous relationship with God throughout their history. This verse highlights a recurring pattern of divine intervention and human disobedience, ultimately leading to consequences for their actions.

Context

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, providing a detailed confession of Israel's chronic unfaithfulness and rebellion against God, despite His continuous goodness and miraculous interventions. It recounts events from the Exodus through their wilderness wanderings, the period of the Judges, and into the monarchy, acknowledging their repeated provocations. Verse 43 serves as a summary statement, reflecting the cyclical nature of their sin, God's patience, and the subsequent judgment. It stands as a testament to God's enduring covenant faithfulness even in the face of persistent human failure, a theme explored in other historical accounts like Nehemiah 9:17.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance: The phrase "Many times did he deliver them" underscores God's unwavering commitment to His people. Despite their failings, He consistently acted on their behalf, rescuing them from enemies, hunger, and despair. This speaks to God's character as a deliverer and protector.
  • Human Rebellion and Stubbornness: "But they provoked [him] with their counsel" reveals Israel's persistent tendency to disregard God's commands and instead follow their own flawed wisdom or the advice of others. The word "provoked" (Hebrew: marah) implies acting stubbornly, rebelliously, and bitterly against God's authority. Their "counsel" (Hebrew: 'etsah) refers to their plans and decisions that diverged from divine guidance.
  • Consequences of Sin: "And were brought low for their iniquity" highlights the inevitable outcome of disobedience. Their rebellion led to humiliation, weakness, and suffering, often at the hands of their enemies. This principle, that sin brings negative consequences, is a consistent teaching throughout Scripture, as seen in Galatians 6:7.
  • God's Patience and Mercy: Even though they provoked Him, God's repeated acts of deliverance demonstrate His incredible patience and mercy. This verse, like the entire psalm, is a prelude to the confession and plea for mercy found later in the psalm, emphasizing God's readiness to forgive when His people repent.

Linguistic Insights

The term "provoked" (ืžึธืจึธื” - marah) carries the sense of being rebellious, disobedient, or contentious. It's a strong word indicating a willful act against authority. Their "counsel" (ืขึตืฆึธื” - 'etsah) refers not just to advice, but to their deliberate plans or schemes that were contrary to God's revealed will. To be "brought low" (ืžึธืšึฐ - mak) signifies being humbled, weakened, or made poor, emphasizing the abject state into which their sin led them. Their "iniquity" (ืขึธื•ึนืŸ - 'awon) refers to their perversity, guilt, and the punishment due to their crooked or twisted behavior against God.

Practical Application

Psalms 106:43 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. We, too, can fall into the trap of relying on our own flawed "counsel" instead of seeking and obeying God's wisdom. This verse calls us to:

  1. Recognize Patterns: Reflect on whether we exhibit similar patterns of rebellion or disobedience in our own lives, despite God's repeated blessings and grace.
  2. Trust God's Guidance: Understand that God's counsel is always superior to human wisdom. We are called to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.
  3. Acknowledge Consequences: Be mindful that sin, even when God is merciful, often leads to negative consequences that bring us low.
  4. Embrace Repentance: Find encouragement in God's persistent mercy. Even when we fail, His character is to deliver. This should lead us to genuine repentance and a renewed commitment to follow Him.
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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 2:16

    Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.

  • Judges 2:18

    And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

  • Psalms 81:12

    So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: [and] they walked in their own counsels.

  • Psalms 1:1

    ยถ Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

  • 1 Samuel 12:9

    And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.

  • 1 Samuel 12:11

    And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.

  • Psalms 106:29

    Thus they provoked [him] to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.