Psalms 106:44

KJV

Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:

KJV (with Strong's)

Nevertheless he regarded {H7200} their affliction {H6862}, when he heard {H8085} their cry {H7440}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Still he took pity on their distress whenever he heard their cry.

Berean Standard Bible

Nevertheless He heard their cry; He took note of their distress.

American Standard Version

Nevertheless he regarded their distress, When he heard their cry:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 106:44 serves as a profound declaration of God's unwavering compassion and faithfulness, even in the face of His people Israel's persistent rebellion and disobedience. It encapsulates the divine pattern of merciful intervention: despite Israel's repeated sin leading to affliction, God, in His inherent goodness and covenant loyalty, actively regarded their suffering and responded with deliverance when they cried out to Him in their distress. This verse underscores the triumph of divine mercy over deserved judgment, highlighting God's attentive and responsive nature towards His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 106 is a confessional historical psalm, part of Book IV of the Psalter (Psalms 90-106). It provides a sweeping, penitential review of Israel's history from the Exodus to the Babylonian exile, meticulously detailing their repeated acts of rebellion, idolatry, and unfaithfulness against God's steadfast covenant love. The preceding verses (Psalms 106:7-43) meticulously recount specific instances of Israel's sin, from the Red Sea to the wilderness, Baal-peor, and the period of the Judges, each leading to divine judgment and oppression by enemies. Verse 44, "Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry," marks a crucial turning point, acting as a powerful "but God" statement. It shifts the focus from Israel's culpability to God's enduring mercy, demonstrating that His compassion consistently broke the cycle of sin and judgment, even when His people did not deserve it. This verse is structurally and thematically parallel to the cyclical narrative of sin, oppression, cry, and deliverance found throughout [the Book of Judges](/judges/2 "Judges 2 - The Cycle of Apostasy and Deliverance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm spans significant periods of Israelite history, including the wilderness wanderings, the conquest of Canaan, and the era of the Judges. During these times, Israel often struggled to maintain their covenant fidelity, succumbing to the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations. The "affliction" mentioned refers to the various forms of oppression, famine, disease, and military defeat that Israel experienced as consequences of their disobedience, often at the hands of foreign powers (e.g., Philistines, Moabites, Midianites). Culturally, the "cry" (Hebrew: *za'aq*) was a recognized form of desperate appeal, often made to a king or a deity in times of severe distress, injustice, or national calamity. For Israel, this "cry" was directed to Yahweh, their covenant God, acknowledging their desperate need for His intervention. It was a plea rooted in the covenant relationship, appealing to God's character as a deliverer, as seen in their original deliverance from [Egyptian bondage](/exodus/2-23 "Exodus 2:23 - The Israelites' Cry in Egypt").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core theological themes. Firstly, **God's Unfailing Mercy and Compassion** stands paramount. Despite Israel's chronic unfaithfulness and the just consequences of their sin, God's inherent nature of compassion consistently triumphed over His righteous wrath. The "nevertheless" underscores that His "regarding" of their affliction was not earned by their merit but flowed from His boundless grace and covenant commitment. Secondly, the theme of **Divine Responsiveness to Prayer** is central. The phrase "when he heard their cry" emphasizes that God is not a distant or indifferent deity but is intimately attentive to the desperate pleas of His people. Even at their lowest points, a sincere, humble cry for help activates His merciful intervention, demonstrating His willingness to [answer those who call upon Him](/jeremiah/33-3 "Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to Me and I Will Answer"). Thirdly, the verse highlights **God's Covenant Faithfulness**. Despite Israel's repeated breaches of the covenant, God remained faithful to His promises to Abraham and His descendants, continually acting as their deliverer and restorer, even when they were undeserving. This steadfastness is a hallmark of His character, as seen in His promise to [never leave or forsake His people](/deuteronomy/31-6 "Deuteronomy 31:6 - God Will Not Fail You").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Regarded (Hebrew, _ra'ah'_):** While literally meaning "to see" or "to look upon," in this context, *ra'ah* carries a profound theological weight. It signifies more than mere observation; it implies active attention, deep concern, and compassionate consideration with a view towards intervention. God didn't just passively witness their suffering; He took it to heart, feeling their pain and moving towards action. This is similar to how God "saw" the affliction of Israel in Egypt and "knew" their suffering, leading to their deliverance (e.g., [Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "Exodus 3:7 - God Hears the Cry of His People")).
* **Affliction (Hebrew, _tsarah'_):** This term denotes distress, trouble, anguish, or tribulation. Its root suggests a "narrow" or "constricted" place, vividly portraying the desperate and oppressive circumstances Israel found themselves in as a consequence of their sin and God's disciplinary judgments. It encompasses physical suffering, national oppression, and emotional anguish, representing the full weight of their desperate situation.
* **Cry (Hebrew, _za'aq'_):** This is a strong, urgent verb signifying a desperate, often loud, plea for help. It is typically used in situations of great distress, injustice, or imminent danger, when all other avenues of help have failed. It is not a casual request but a heartfelt, often agonizing, appeal to a higher power for intervention and rescue. The hearing of this *za'aq* by God is consistently presented in Scripture as a trigger for divine action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Nevertheless he regarded their affliction,"**: This opening clause introduces a powerful contrast. The "nevertheless" (Hebrew: *wa-gam*) functions as a strong adversative, highlighting God's action despite Israel's consistent unfaithfulness detailed in the preceding verses. It underscores that God's compassion is not contingent on Israel's merit but flows from His own character and covenant faithfulness. He didn't just see their distress; He "regarded" it, meaning He actively took their suffering into account with deep empathy and a view to merciful intervention, demonstrating His profound concern for His wayward people.
* **"when he heard their cry:"**: This second clause identifies the immediate catalyst for God's merciful response. It emphasizes God's attentiveness and responsiveness to the desperate pleas of His people. The "cry" signifies a turning point for Israel—a moment of humble desperation and appeal to their covenant Lord. God's hearing is not merely an auditory perception but an act of sympathetic reception that leads to action. This highlights the efficacy of sincere prayer, even from those who have strayed far from Him, assuring that God is ever ready to respond to a genuine call for help.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is paramount, established by the opening "Nevertheless," which starkly juxtaposes Israel's chronic rebellion (the subject of the preceding psalm) with God's enduring faithfulness and mercy. This highlights the radical nature of God's grace. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the depiction of God "regarding" (seeing with concern) and "hearing" (listening with empathy) their cry. While God is Spirit, these human-like actions convey His active engagement, personal involvement, and emotional responsiveness to His people's plight. Furthermore, the verse encapsulates a **Cyclical Narrative** or **Pattern of Divine Intervention** that is repeated throughout the psalm and the broader biblical narrative (especially in the Book of Judges). It summarizes the recurring sequence: Israel sins, suffers affliction, cries out, and God delivers, showcasing God's consistent character as a redeemer despite His people's cyclical failures.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 106:44 profoundly illustrates the enduring tension between divine justice and divine mercy, ultimately demonstrating the triumph of God's steadfast love (Hebrew: *hesed*) over His people's persistent sin. It reveals a God who, though righteous in judgment, is fundamentally characterized by compassion and a deep commitment to His covenant promises. This verse affirms that God's response to human suffering is not one of indifference but of active, empathetic engagement, particularly when His people, in their brokenness, turn to Him in desperate prayer. It underscores the biblical truth that while sin brings consequences, genuine repentance and a humble cry for help will always find a listening ear and a merciful heart in God, who delights in showing compassion.

* [Exodus 2:23](/exodus/2-23 "Exodus 2:23-25 - God Hears Israel's Groaning")
* [Judges 2:16](/judges/2-16 "Judges 2:16-18 - God Raises Up Judges")
* [Psalm 107:13](/psalms/107-13 "Psalm 107:13 - They Cried to the Lord in Their Trouble")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 106:44 offers immense encouragement and profound spiritual nourishment for believers today. It assures us that our Heavenly Father is not a distant or indifferent deity, but one who is intimately aware of our struggles, even those brought on by our own failings. In moments of personal "affliction"—whether due to our choices, the consequences of sin, or the trials of life—this verse reminds us that God's mercy is always accessible. Our sincere "cry" to Him, born of humility and desperation, will never go unheard. It cultivates a deep sense of hope, reinforcing that even when we stumble or stray, God's compassionate heart is ready to "regard" our distress and extend His hand of deliverance and restoration. This truth should inspire us to cultivate a life of honest, persistent prayer, knowing that our God is ever ready to respond with grace and intervention, inviting us back into His loving embrace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of God's justice and mercy, especially in the context of our own failures?**
* **In what specific ways have you personally experienced God "regarding your affliction" when you "cried out" to Him in a time of distress or consequence?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature and efficacy of prayer, particularly when we are at our lowest point or facing the repercussions of our actions?**

### FAQ
**Does "nevertheless" imply God's reluctance or a grudging mercy in Psalms 106:44?**

Answer: No, the "nevertheless" (Hebrew: *wa-gam*) in Psalms 106:44 does not imply reluctance or a grudging mercy on God's part. Instead, it powerfully emphasizes the radical nature of God's grace and His unwavering covenant faithfulness *despite* Israel's persistent unfaithfulness. It highlights that God's compassion is inherent to His character and flows from His steadfast love (*hesed*), rather than being earned by human merit. The psalmist uses this conjunction to underscore the astonishing reality that even after repeated rebellion and deserved judgment, God's nature compelled Him to respond mercifully when His people turned to Him in their distress. It magnifies His grace, demonstrating that His compassion triumphs over His just wrath.

**Is God's response in this verse conditional on Israel's "cry"? Does it mean God only acts when we ask?**

Answer: While Israel's "cry" is presented as the immediate trigger for God's intervention in Psalms 106:44, it's crucial to understand this within the broader context of God's covenant relationship and His inherent character. The "cry" is not a manipulative tool but a genuine expression of desperation, humility, and a turning back to God. It signifies a moment when Israel acknowledged their need for divine help, activating God's pre-existing covenant mercy, not earning it. God's love and compassion are always present, but our turning to Him in prayer often opens the door for His active intervention in our lives. This aligns with passages like [Jeremiah 29:12-13](/jeremiah/29-12 "Jeremiah 29:12-13 - Seek Me and Find Me"), where God promises to be found when sought with all the heart. It demonstrates God's desire for relationship and for His people to acknowledge their dependence on Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 106:44 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalm recounts God's compassionate response to Israel's cyclical sin and affliction, Christ embodies God's perfect "regard" for humanity's deepest "affliction"—the bondage of sin and death. He is the divine Son who truly "regarded our affliction" not merely by observing it, but by entering into it, taking on human flesh and experiencing suffering firsthand (e.g., [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Can Sympathize")). His life, suffering, and death on the cross represent the ultimate act of God "hearing our cry" for deliverance from the consequences of our rebellion. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, offering a definitive and final solution to the human predicament that Israel's history only partially illustrated (e.g., [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Now, through faith in Him, when we "cry out" to God in repentance, our cry is heard not because of our merit, but because of Christ's perfect obedience and intercession on our behalf (e.g., [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Own Love")). He is the compassionate High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses and delivers us from the ultimate affliction, bringing us into eternal reconciliation with God (e.g., [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - He Always Lives to Intercede")).

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 3:9

And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, [even] Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.

Judges 4:3

And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.

1 Samuel 7:8

And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 7:12

Then Samuel took a stone, and set [it] between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

Judges 6:6

And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.

Judges 6:10

And I said unto you, I [am] the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.

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.