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Psalms 106:32

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They angered [him] also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:

They angered {H7107} him also at the waters {H4325} of strife {H4808}{H4809}, so that it went ill {H3415} with Moses {H4872} for their sakes:

They angered him at the M'rivah Spring, and Moshe suffered on their account;

At the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD, and trouble came to Moses because of them.

They angered him also at the waters of Meribah, So that it went ill with Moses for their sakes;

Commentary

Psalms 106:32 serves as a poignant reminder of Israel's repeated rebellion against God during their wilderness wanderings, specifically highlighting the incident at the "waters of strife" and its severe consequences for Moses.

Context

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, recounting the long history of God's faithfulness to Israel despite their persistent unfaithfulness and rebellion. It serves as a national confession of sin and a plea for deliverance. Verse 32 specifically refers to the event documented in Numbers 20:1-13, where the Israelites again complained bitterly about the lack of water. God commanded Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water, but in a moment of frustration and anger, Moses struck the rock twice instead. This act, born out of impatience and perhaps a desire to assert his own authority rather than fully trust God's method, dishonored God's holiness before the people.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse powerfully illustrates that sin, even when provoked by others, carries significant consequences. Moses, though a faithful leader, faced severe repercussions for his actions at Meribah.
  • God's Holiness and Justice: God holds even His most trusted servants to a high standard, demonstrating that His holiness must be revered and His commands obeyed precisely. Moses' failure to "sanctify" God in the eyes of the people (Numbers 20:12) resulted in his exclusion from the Promised Land, as detailed in Deuteronomy 32:51-52.
  • The Ripple Effect of Sin: The Israelites' complaining and "strife" (Meribah) directly led to Moses' exasperation and subsequent sin, showing how one person's actions can impact others, even leaders.
  • Human Frailty: Even great spiritual leaders like Moses are susceptible to impatience and anger under pressure, emphasizing the need for constant reliance on God's strength and wisdom.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "waters of strife" in Hebrew is Mei Meribah (מֵי מְרִיבָה), where Meribah literally means "strife," "contention," or "quarrel." This name perfectly encapsulates the contentious spirit of the Israelites and the conflict that unfolded there, leading to Moses' fateful action. The word "angered" (Hebrew: qatsaph, קָצַף) signifies intense displeasure or indignation, reflecting God's reaction to the Israelites' constant testing and Moses' subsequent failure to fully glorify Him.

Practical Application

This verse offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Patience and Trust: We are called to exercise patience and trust in God's ways, even when faced with frustrating circumstances or difficult people. Our reactions, especially under duress, should always aim to glorify God.
  • Accountability for Leaders: Those in positions of spiritual leadership bear a greater responsibility to uphold God's standards and exemplify obedience, as their actions have a profound impact on those they lead.
  • Control Your Temper: The incident with Moses highlights the destructive power of uncontrolled anger and impatience, urging us to seek the Holy Spirit's help in managing our emotions and responding righteously.
  • The Seriousness of Sin: Even seemingly small acts of disobedience can have significant consequences, reminding us of the importance of living a life of humble obedience and continually seeking God's will.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Numbers 20:2 (5 votes)

    And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.

  • Numbers 20:13 (5 votes)

    This [is] the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.

  • Deuteronomy 4:21 (4 votes)

    Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance:

  • Deuteronomy 1:37 (4 votes)

    Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither.

  • Psalms 81:7 (4 votes)

    Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

  • Numbers 20:23 (4 votes)

    And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,

  • Numbers 20:24 (4 votes)

    Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.