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Commentary on Psalms 106 verses 6–12
Here begins a penitential confession of sin, which was in a special manner seasonable now that the church was in distress; for thus we must justify God in all that he brings upon us, acknowledging that therefore he has done right, because we have done wickedly; and the remembrance of former sins, notwithstanding which God did not cast off his people, is an encouragement to us to hope that, though we are justly corrected for our sins, yet we shall not be utterly abandoned.
I. God's afflicted people here own themselves guilty before God (Psa 106:6): "We have sinned with our fathers, that is, like our fathers, after the similitude of their transgression. We have added to the stock of hereditary guilt, and filled up the measure of our fathers' iniquity, to augment yet the fierce anger of the Lord," Num 32:14; Mat 23:32. And see how they lay a load upon themselves, as becomes penitents: "We have committed iniquity, that which is in its own nature sinful, and we have done wickedly; we have sinned with a high hand presumptuously." Or this is a confession, not only of their imitation of, but their interest in, their fathers' sins: We have sinned with our fathers, for we were in their loins and we bear their iniquity, Lam 5:7.
II. They bewail the sins of their fathers when they were first formed into a people, which, since children often smart for, they are concerned to sorrow for, even further than to the third and fourth generation. Even we now ought to take occasion from the history of Israel's rebellions to lament the depravity and perverseness of man's nature and its unaptness to be amended by the most probable means. Observe here,
1.The strange stupidity of Israel in the midst of the favours God bestowed upon them (Psa 106:7): They understood not thy wonders in Egypt. They saw them, but they did not rightly apprehend the meaning and design of them. Blessed are those that have not seen, and yet have understood. They thought the plagues of Egypt were intended for their deliverance, whereas they were intended also for their instruction and conviction, not only to force them out of their Egyptian slavery, but to cure them of their inclination to Egyptian idolatry, by evidencing the sovereign power and dominion of the God of Israel, above all gods, and his particular concern for them. We lose the benefit of providences for want of understanding them. And, as their understandings were dull, so their memories were treacherous; though one would think such astonishing events should never have been forgotten, yet they remembered them not, at least they remembered not the multitude of God's mercies in them. Therefore God is distrusted because his favours are not remembered.
2.Their perverseness arising from this stupidity: They provoked him at the sea, even at the Red Sea. The provocation was, despair of deliverance (because the danger was great) and wishing they had been left in Egypt still, Exo 14:11, Exo 14:12. Quarrelling with God's providence, and questioning his power, goodness, and faithfulness, are as great provocations to him as any whatsoever. The place aggravated the crime; it was at the sea, at the Red Sea, when they had newly come out of Egypt and the wonders God had wrought for them were fresh in their minds; yet they reproach him, as if all that power had no mercy in it, but he had brought them out of Egypt on purpose to kill them in the wilderness. They never lay at God's mercy so immediately as in their passage through the Red Sea, yet there they affront it, and provoke his wrath.
3.The great salvation God wrought for them notwithstanding their provocations, Psa 106:8-11. (1.) He forced a passage for them through the sea: He rebuked the Red Sea for standing in their way and retarding their march, and it was dried up immediately; as, in the creation, at God's rebuke the waters fled, Psa 104:7. Nay, he not only prepared them a way, but, by the pillar of cloud and fire, he led them into the sea, and, by the conduct of Moses, led them through it as readily as through the wilderness. He encouraged them to take those steps, and subdued their fears, when those were their most dangerous and threatening enemies. See Isa 63:12-14. (2.) He interposed between them and their pursuers, and prevented them from cutting them off, as they designed. The Israelites were all on foot, and the Egyptians had all of them chariots and horses, with which they were likely to overtake them quickly, but God saved them from the hand of him that hated them, namely, Pharaoh, who never loved them, but now hated them the more for the plagues he had suffered on their account. From the hand of his enemy, who was just ready to seize them, God redeemed them (Psa 106:10), interposing himself, as it were, in the pillar of fire, between the persecuted and the persecutors. (3.) To complete the mercy, and turn the deliverance into a victory, the Red Sea, which was a lane to them, was a grave to the Egyptians (Psa 106:11): The waters covered their enemies, so as to slay them, but not so as to conceal their shame; for, the next tide, they were thrown up dead upon the shore, Exo 14:30. There was not one of them left alive, to bring tidings of what had become of the rest. And why did God do this for them? Nay, why did he not cover them, as he did their enemies, for their unbelief and murmuring? He tells us (Psa 106:8): it was for his name's sake. Though they did not deserve this favour, he designed it; and their undeservings should not alter his designs, nor break his measures, nor make him withdraw his promise, or fail in the performance of it. He did this for his own glory, that he might make his mighty power to be known, not only in dividing the sea, but in doing it notwithstanding their provocations. Moses prays (Num 14:17, Num 14:19), Let the power of my Lord be great and pardon the iniquity of this people. The power of the God of grace in pardoning sin and sparing sinners is as much to be admired as the power of the God of nature in dividing the waters.
4.The good impression this made upon them for the present (Psa 106:12): Then believed they his words, and acknowledged that God was with them of a truth, and had, in mercy to them, brought them out of Egypt, and not with any design to slay them in the wilderness; then they feared the Lord and his servant Moses, Exo 14:31. Then they sang his praise, in that song of Moses penned on this great occasion, Exo 15:1. See in what a gracious and merciful way God sometimes silences the unbelief of his people, and turns their fears into praises; and so it is written, Those that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and those that murmured shall learn doctrine, Isa 29:24.
But let us hear what they next confess: "we have sinned with our fathers: we have done amiss, and dealt wickedly" [Psalm 106:6]. What means "with our fathers"?..."Our fathers," he says, "regarded not Your wonders in Egypt" [Psalm 106:7]; and many other things also, he does relate of their sins. Or is, "we have sinned with our fathers," to be understood as meaning, we have sinned like our fathers, that is, by imitating their sins? If it be so, it should be supported by some example of this mode of expression: which did not occur to me when I sought on this occasion an instance of any one saying that he had sinned, or done anything, with another, whom he had imitated by a similar act after a long interval of time. What means then, "Our fathers understood not Your wonders;" save this, they did not know what You wished to convince them of by these miracles? What indeed, save life eternal, and a good, not temporal, but immutable, which is waited for only through endurance? For this reason they impatiently murmured, and provoked, and they asked to be blessed with present and fugitive blessings, "Neither were they mindful of the greatness of Your mercy." He reproves both their understanding and memory. Understanding there was need of, that they might meditate unto what eternal blessings God was calling them through these temporal ones; and of memory, that at least they might not forget the temporal wonders which had been wrought, and might faithfully believe, that by the same power which they had already experienced, God would free them from the persecutions of their enemies; whereas they forgot the aid which He had given them in Egypt, by means of such wonders, to crush their enemies. "And they provoked, as they went up to the sea, even to the Red Sea." We ought especially to notice how the Scripture does censure the not understanding that which ought to have been understood, and the not remembering that which ought to have been remembered; which men are unwilling to have ascribed to their own fault, for no other reason than that they may pray less, and be less humble unto God, in whose sight they should confess what they are, and might by praying for His aid, become what they are not. For it is better to accuse even the sins of ignorance and negligence, that they may be done away with, than to excuse them, so that they remain; and it is better to clear them off by calling upon God, than to clench them by provoking Him.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 106:7 serves as a profound confession and lament, capturing a pivotal moment in Israel's history where the generation delivered from Egypt failed to deeply comprehend God's miraculous interventions and tragically forgot His abundant mercies. Despite being eyewitnesses to unparalleled divine wonders, their hearts remained hardened, leading them to actively provoke God at the critical juncture of the Red Sea, thereby illuminating a recurring and lamentable pattern of human spiritual amnesia and rebellion against divine grace.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, forming a significant component of the fourth book of the Psalter. It functions primarily as a national confession of sin, meticulously recounting Israel's tumultuous and often rebellious relationship with Yahweh from the Exodus event through to the Babylonian exile. Unlike many psalms that focus on individual lament or praise, Psalm 106 provides a sweeping historical overview, repeatedly emphasizing Israel's persistent unfaithfulness and, in stark contrast, God's enduring patience and steadfast love. Verse 7 specifically initiates the detailed recounting of Israel's provocations, immediately following the introductory call to praise and the acknowledgment of God's righteousness in Psalms 106:1-6. This verse sets the somber tone and establishes a foundational pattern of forgetfulness and disobedience that permeates the nation's history, a theme deeply explored and reiterated in historical narratives found in books like Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Historical & Cultural Context: The historical setting for Psalms 106:7 is the immediate aftermath of the Exodus from Egypt, specifically the pivotal moment at the Red Sea. The "wonders in Egypt" refer to the ten devastating plagues God unleashed upon Pharaoh and the entire land of Egypt, culminating in the horrific death of the firstborn (Exodus 12:29-30). These were not mere natural disasters but undeniable, supernatural displays of Yahweh's absolute power and sovereignty over all creation and the false gods of Egypt. The "Red Sea" (Hebrew: Yam Suph, often translated as "Reed Sea") was the site of Israel's miraculous deliverance, where God miraculously parted the waters for them to cross on dry ground, then closed them upon the pursuing Egyptian army, utterly destroying Pharaoh's forces (Exodus 14:21-31). Culturally, the memory of these foundational events was absolutely central to Israel's identity, their understanding of God, and their faith, commemorated annually through festivals like Passover. The psalmist's lament in this verse highlights the profound tragedy of a generation that, despite being direct witnesses to such unparalleled divine intervention and deliverance, quickly succumbed to fear and doubt, provoking the very God who had just demonstrated His omnipotence and unwavering commitment to them.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully encapsulates several profound and recurring themes central to the Old Testament narrative and biblical theology. First, it underscores Human Forgetfulness and Spiritual Amnesia, revealing a deep-seated human tendency to quickly disregard or diminish divine acts of mercy and power. The phrases "understood not" and "remembered not" speak to a spiritual blindness and a failure to internalize the profound lessons of God's faithfulness, a theme powerfully echoed in Deuteronomy 8:11-14. Second, it highlights Rebellion and Provocation, as the people's immediate response to the pursuing Egyptians was not trust or prayer, but complaint, fear, and defiance, directly challenging God's ability and willingness to save them (Exodus 14:10-12). This "provoking" signifies a deliberate, active act of challenging God's authority, character, and covenant promises. Third, implicitly, the verse points to God's Enduring Mercy Amidst Human Failure. Though the immediate focus is on Israel's sin, the broader context of Psalm 106 and the Exodus narrative itself reveals that despite Israel's profound rebellion, God still performed the miracle of the Red Sea, demonstrating His steadfast love (hesed) and unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even when they were utterly undeserving. This divine patience and faithfulness in the face of human sin is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, beautifully illustrated, for instance, in Nehemiah 9:16-17.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several potent literary devices to convey its powerful and lamentable message. Contrast is paramount, sharply juxtaposing God's magnificent "wonders" and "multitude of mercies" with Israel's profound failure to "understand" and "remember." This highlights the tragic disconnect between divine action and human response. The phrase "provoked [him] at the sea, [even] at the Red sea" utilizes Repetition (specifically, a form of Parallelism with slight variation, known as epanalepsis or emphatic repetition) to underscore the precise location and critical nature of their rebellion, emphasizing the immediate and undeniable context of God's recent deliverance. The entire verse functions as a Lament and Confession, expressing deep sorrow over past national failures and acknowledging collective sin. Furthermore, there's a striking element of Irony in that the very people who had just witnessed God's unparalleled power against the might of Egypt would so quickly doubt His ability to save them from Pharaoh's army, demonstrating a profound and tragic spiritual blindness.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 106:7 serves as a stark and enduring reminder of the human propensity for spiritual amnesia and rebellion, even in the face of overwhelming divine revelation. It underscores the profound biblical truth that merely witnessing God's works does not automatically equate to truly knowing God's heart or trusting His character. This verse highlights the inherent danger of a superficial faith that fails to internalize God's past faithfulness, inevitably leading to doubt, complaint, and disobedience in present trials. It speaks to the ongoing, universal need for humanity to diligently remember God's covenant mercies and to respond with profound gratitude and unwavering trust, rather than with provocation or defiance. The psalmist's recounting of this historical failure serves as a solemn warning against repeating the mistakes of the past, emphasizing the continuous call to a deep, abiding faith that is rooted in both the remembrance and the discerning understanding of God's unchanging character and His mighty acts.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 106:7 offers a timeless and piercing mirror for self-examination, challenging us to deeply consider our own spiritual memory and our responsiveness to God's boundless grace. Just as the Israelites forgot God's wonders, we too can become desensitized to His daily mercies, His past interventions, and the profound significance of His ongoing presence in our lives. This verse calls us to cultivate a deliberate, intentional practice of remembrance, actively recalling specific instances of God's faithfulness, His provision, and His deliverance to strengthen our trust in His unchanging character during current trials and uncertainties. It issues a stern warning against the spiritual blindness that prevents us from truly understanding the deeper meaning of God's actions, urging us to pray for divine discernment to perceive His sovereign hand at work around us, even in the mundane. Ultimately, the provocation at the Red Sea stemmed from a fundamental lack of trust; in moments of fear, anxiety, or uncertainty, we are profoundly called to lean on God's unchanging character and His unfailing promises, rather than succumbing to doubt, complaint, or active rebellion. This verse encourages us to learn from history, fostering within us a spirit of profound gratitude, unwavering trust, and active obedience in response to God's unfailing love and limitless power.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did the "fathers" not understand or remember God's wonders and mercies?
Answer: The text suggests a profound spiritual rather than purely intellectual failure. They witnessed the awe-inspiring events of the plagues and the Exodus but failed to grasp their profound theological significance—that these acts unequivocally revealed God's absolute power, sovereign control, and unwavering covenant faithfulness. Their "not understanding" (Hebrew: sâkal) implies a lack of discerning comprehension and spiritual wisdom, while "not remembering" (Hebrew: zâkar) indicates a failure to internalize God's goodness and allow it to shape their faith and behavior in a lasting way. This spiritual amnesia led directly to practical unfaithfulness, as seen in their immediate complaints at the Red Sea despite just being miraculously delivered from Egypt (Exodus 14:11). It highlights a recurring human tendency to quickly forget divine acts when faced with new challenges, often due to fear, impatience, or a hardened heart.
What does it mean to "provoke" God at the Red Sea?
Answer: To "provoke" God (Hebrew: mârâh) signifies an act of rebellion, defiance, or open opposition to His authority and character. At the Red Sea, after witnessing the devastating plagues and the miraculous beginning of their exodus, the Israelites saw Pharaoh's army approaching and immediately despaired, complaining bitterly to Moses and questioning God's ability and willingness to save them (Exodus 14:10-12). This was not a simple mistake or a moment of weakness but a direct challenge to God's power and faithfulness, demonstrating a profound lack of trust despite His recent, overwhelming displays of mercy. Their provocation was an active act of willful disobedience rooted in fear and unbelief, occurring even as God was about to perform one of the greatest miracles in their history.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 106:7, with its lament over Israel's spiritual amnesia and deep-seated rebellion, finds its ultimate answer and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "wonders" and "multitude of mercies" that Israel repeatedly failed to understand and remember were but shadows and foretastes pointing to the ultimate wonder and boundless mercy embodied fully in Christ. While Israel provoked God at the Red Sea, demonstrating their inherent inability to maintain faith even after miraculous deliverance, Jesus perfectly fulfilled the covenant, living a life of unwavering obedience, perfect trust, and complete submission to the Father's will, never once provoking Him. He is the true Israel, the faithful Son, who perfectly understood and remembered the Father's purposes and character. The recurring cycle of human failure and divine patience, so poignantly evident throughout this psalm and Israel's history, is decisively broken and overcome in Christ, who, through His sacrificial death, became the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. His glorious resurrection then inaugurated a new and living way, a new covenant not based on fragile human remembrance or flawed performance, but on His perfect work and the new covenant established eternally in His precious blood (Hebrews 8:6-13). Through saving faith in Him, believers are granted a new heart and the indwelling Holy Spirit, enabling them to truly understand God's wonders and remember His mercies, no longer defined by the tragic cycle of forgetfulness and rebellion, but by God's transformative grace and the promise of new life in Christ (Ezekiel 36:26-27).