Psalms 106:6

KJV

¶ We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.

KJV (with Strong's)

We have sinned {H2398} with our fathers {H1}, we have committed iniquity {H5753}, we have done wickedly {H7561}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Together with our ancestors, we have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly.

Berean Standard Bible

We have sinned like our fathers; we have done wrong and acted wickedly.

American Standard Version

We have sinned with our fathers, We have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 106:6 serves as a profound corporate confession, where the psalmist, representing the nation of Israel, acknowledges a deep-seated and escalating pattern of sin that spans generations. This verse lays bare the collective guilt of the people, declaring that they have not only repeated the transgressions of their ancestors but have also descended into even greater depths of iniquity and wickedness. It sets the somber, yet honest, tone for the psalm's historical recounting of Israel's persistent rebellion against God's covenant faithfulness, implicitly pointing to the enduring mercy of the Lord despite their profound and continuous failings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 106 is the fourth psalm in Book IV of the Psalter (Psalms 90-106) and stands as a powerful historical psalm, specifically a communal lament and confession. It begins with a call to praise for God's enduring goodness and mighty acts (verses 1-5), immediately followed by this pivotal verse of corporate confession (verse 6). This confession then transitions into a detailed historical recounting of Israel's unfaithfulness from the Exodus to the Babylonian exile (verses 7-46). The psalm concludes with a renewed plea for deliverance and a doxology (verses 47-48). Verse 6 acts as the crucial hinge, moving from the initial praise of God's character to the stark acknowledgment of human sinfulness, thereby establishing the profound theological tension that drives the entire narrative: God's steadfast love versus Israel's recurrent rebellion. Its structure mirrors other historical psalms like [Psalm 78](/psalms/78 "Psalm 78 - A Historical Account of Israel's Rebellion") and [Psalm 105](/psalms/105 "Psalm 105 - God's Faithfulness to Israel's Covenant"), but uniquely emphasizes the nation's culpability and the depth of their sin.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm reflects a period of national distress, most likely during or after the Babylonian exile, when the people were grappling with the devastating consequences of their historical disobedience. The psalmist identifies deeply with generations past, acknowledging that the current suffering and dispersion are a direct result of a long lineage of covenant breaking. The concept of corporate identity was central to ancient Israelite thought; the actions of individuals or previous generations could have profound implications for the entire community and its descendants. The covenant established at Sinai, particularly the stipulations of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses of the Covenant"), laid out the blessings for obedience and severe curses for disobedience. The psalm implicitly references these covenant curses, understanding the exile and dispersion as divine judgment for their cumulative sin. This verse, therefore, is not merely a personal confession but a profound national lament, acknowledging the people's pervasive failure to uphold their end of the sacred covenant with Yahweh.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 106:6 introduces several critical themes that permeate the entire psalm and, indeed, much of Israel's historical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Corporate and Generational Sin**, emphasizing that sin is not merely an individual act but a collective failing that can be inherited or perpetuated across generations. The psalmist does not excuse the current generation but takes profound responsibility for the patterns of disobedience seen in their forefathers, echoing the principle found in passages like [Numbers 14:33](/numbers/14-33 "Numbers 14:33 - Consequences of Disobedience"). Secondly, the verse demonstrates **Profound Confession and Repentance**, using a powerful threefold declaration of wrongdoing that signifies a deep and comprehensive acknowledgment of guilt before God. This act of sincere confession is a prerequisite for spiritual healing and restoration, as taught in [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness"). Finally, while focusing intensely on human sin, this verse implicitly sets the stage for the psalm's overarching theme: the stark contrast between **Human Failing and Divine Faithfulness**. Despite Israel's persistent and egregious rebellion, God remains steadfast in His character and mercy, a truth beautifully affirmed in [Psalm 107:1](/psalms/107-1 "Psalm 107:1 - God's Enduring Goodness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sinned (Hebrew, _châṭâʼ_):** (H2398) A primitive root, meaning "to miss the mark." This is the most common biblical term for sin, fundamentally denoting a failure to meet God's perfect standard, whether through ignorance, weakness, or deliberate choice. It implies a deviation from the intended path or target set by God's law and character, highlighting a shortfall in obedience or moral rectitude.
* **Committed Iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻâvâh_):** (H5753) A primitive root, meaning "to crook" or "to do amiss." This term carries the connotation of perversity, distortion, or moral crookedness. It suggests a deliberate twisting or bending of what is right, implying a deeper level of moral corruption than merely missing the mark. The verb form emphasizes the active process of perverting justice or truth, highlighting the moral culpability and the resultant spiritual burden.
* **Done Wickedly (Hebrew, _râshaʻ_):** (H7561) A primitive root, meaning "to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong." This word signifies being guilty, acting contrary to divine law, and incurring condemnation. It often refers to overt acts of unrighteousness, rebellion, and a conscious turning away from God's will. The verb form describes the active engagement in unrighteousness or impiety, indicating a fundamental opposition to God's ways and a readiness to defy His commands.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"We have sinned with our fathers":** This opening clause immediately establishes a corporate and generational confession. The psalmist includes himself and his contemporary generation ("we") in the long history of Israel's disobedience, identifying with the transgressions of their ancestors ("our fathers"). This is not an excuse for present sin but a profound acknowledgment of shared spiritual heritage and a recognition that the current generation is perpetuating, or at least suffering the consequences of, the same patterns of sin. It highlights the continuity of human rebellion against God's covenant and the deep-rooted nature of their spiritual failings.
* **"we have committed iniquity":** This phrase intensifies the confession, moving beyond merely "missing the mark" (sinned) to a more deliberate and perverse distortion of God's righteous standards. "Committed iniquity" points to a moral crookedness, a bending of justice, or a willful act of wrongdoing that carries a heavier weight of guilt and culpability. It signifies a more active and intentional engagement in wrongdoing, suggesting a deeper level of moral corruption and a conscious departure from God's straight path. The repetition of "we have" reinforces the corporate nature of this deeper transgression.
* **"we have done wickedly":** This final phrase represents the climax of the confession, indicating the most severe form of rebellion. "Done wickedly" implies overt acts of unrighteousness, a state of being actively rebellious against God, and incurring divine condemnation. It speaks to a fundamental opposition to God's will and a conscious choice to defy His commands, moving beyond mere failure or perversion to active defiance. The threefold declaration, using progressively stronger terms for sin, demonstrates a comprehensive and profound acknowledgment of Israel's deep-seated spiritual corruption and their persistent defiance of God.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 106:6 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey the depth and pervasive nature of Israel's confession. The most prominent is **Anaphora**, the striking repetition of the phrase "we have" at the beginning of each clause ("We have sinned," "we have committed iniquity," "we have done wickedly"). This repetition creates a powerful rhythmic effect, emphasizing the corporate nature of the confession and underscoring the collective responsibility of the nation across generations. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Gradation** (or climax), as the three verbs—"sinned," "committed iniquity," "done wickedly"—progress in intensity, moving from a general failure to meet God's standard to a deliberate perversion of righteousness, and finally to outright, active rebellion. This escalating sequence highlights the deepening spiral of Israel's disobedience and the comprehensive nature of their guilt. The entire verse functions as a profound act of **Corporate Confession**, where the psalmist speaks on behalf of the entire community, acknowledging their shared guilt and historical pattern of rebellion against the Lord.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 106:6 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of sin, not merely as individual transgression but as a corporate and generational reality. It underscores the concept that patterns of disobedience can become ingrained in a community's history, requiring a collective acknowledgment and repentance. This verse also implicitly highlights God's justice in holding His covenant people accountable for their actions, while simultaneously setting the stage for the psalm's ultimate message of His enduring mercy and steadfast love, which remains even in the face of profound human failure. The act of confession itself is a deeply theological act, acknowledging God's sovereignty, righteousness, and holiness, and humanity's fallen state and desperate need for His grace. It is a necessary step towards reconciliation and restoration.

* [Leviticus 26:39](/leviticus/26-39 "Leviticus 26:39 - Confessing the Iniquity of Fathers")
* [Nehemiah 9:2](/nehemiah/9-2 "Nehemiah 9:2 - Corporate Confession of Sin")
* [Jeremiah 3:25](/jeremiah/3-25 "Jeremiah 3:25 - Acknowledging Generational Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 106:6 calls us to a profound and honest self-examination, both individually and corporately. It challenges us to move beyond superficial acknowledgments of wrongdoing to a deep, comprehensive confession that recognizes the multifaceted nature of sin—from missing the mark to deliberate rebellion. For believers today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that we are part of a larger spiritual lineage, and just as Israel bore the weight of its historical disobedience, we too are called to acknowledge and repent of the corporate sins within our communities, nations, and even the Church. This includes confronting historical injustices, systemic inequities, and patterns of spiritual apathy or theological compromise that may have been passed down. True repentance involves not only confessing our own personal failings but also humbly identifying with the collective shortcomings of God's people throughout history, understanding that our present circumstances are often shaped by past choices and inherited spiritual climates. This act of identification, however, is not meant to condemn but to humble us, leading us to a deeper appreciation for God's boundless grace and an earnest desire to break cycles of sin through His transforming power, fostering a spirit of humility and a longing for corporate holiness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I, or my community, unknowingly perpetuate patterns of sin from past generations?**
* **How can I move beyond a superficial understanding of sin to a deeper, more comprehensive confession that acknowledges its various forms?**
* **What corporate sins, within my church or nation, am I called to acknowledge and pray for repentance over?**
* **How does understanding God's enduring faithfulness, despite Israel's repeated failures, encourage my own confession and pursuit of holiness?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the three different words for sin used in Psalms 106:6?**

Answer: The use of "sinned" (חָטָא, _châṭâʼ_), "committed iniquity" (עָוָה, _ʻâvâh_), and "done wickedly" (רָשַׁע, _râshaʻ_) is highly significant because it demonstrates a progression or intensification of sin. "Sinned" is the most general term, meaning to "miss the mark" or fall short of God's standard, often implying an unintentional or less severe transgression. "Committed iniquity" implies a more deliberate perversion or twisting of what is right, often carrying the connotation of guilt and the burden of wrongdoing due to intentional moral distortion. "Done wickedly" denotes overt acts of unrighteousness, rebellion, and a state of being actively opposed to God's will, incurring condemnation. This progression indicates that Israel's sin was not merely accidental or a simple failure, but a deep-seated, deliberate, and escalating pattern of rebellion against their covenant God, highlighting the comprehensive and pervasive nature of their spiritual corruption. This profound confession underscores the gravity of their actions and sets the stage for God's righteous judgment and ultimate mercy, as seen throughout [Psalm 106](/psalms/106 "Psalm 106 - Israel's Rebellions and God's Mercy").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 106:6, with its stark confession of corporate and generational sin, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Israel's repeated failure to uphold the covenant, culminating in their deep-seated wickedness, underscores humanity's desperate need for a perfect mediator and a new covenant. Jesus, the true Israelite, perfectly fulfilled the Law and bore the full weight of the sin that Israel and all humanity could not atone for. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), becoming sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Where Israel failed, Christ succeeded, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice to cleanse us from all iniquity and wickedness. Through His atoning work, the cycle of generational sin is broken for those who believe, and we are brought into a new covenant relationship with God, sealed by His blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in Christ's Blood")). Thus, the confession of Psalms 106:6, while profoundly indicting, ultimately points to the glorious truth that in Christ, there is complete forgiveness and redemption for all who turn to Him, offering hope and new life where human effort continually failed ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love in Christ")).

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

Nehemiah 9:16

But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,

Psalms 78:8

And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation [that] set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

Ezra 9:6

And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over [our] head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.

Ezra 9:7

Since the days of our fathers [have] we [been] in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, [and] our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as [it is] this day.

1 Kings 8:47

[Yet] if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;

Daniel 9:5

We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:

Daniel 9:8

O Lord, to us [belongeth] confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.