Psalm 106 12

Psalm 106:12 kjv

Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.

Psalm 106:12 nkjv

Then they believed His words; They sang His praise.

Psalm 106:12 niv

Then they believed his promises and sang his praise.

Psalm 106:12 esv

Then they believed his words; they sang his praise.

Psalm 106:12 nlt

Then his people believed his promises.
Then they sang his praise.

Psalm 106 verses

Psalm 106 12 Meaning

Psalm 106:12 describes the immediate, though temporary, reaction of the Israelites to God's miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea. After witnessing the mighty hand of God in parting the sea and destroying their enemies, they briefly placed their trust in His promises and His powerful deeds. Their belief manifested in outward expressions of worship and joyous acclamation, as seen in their singing of praises. This verse captures a moment of genuine, albeit short-lived, faith in the Lord.

Psalm 106 12 Context

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, recounting the tumultuous history of Israel from the Exodus through their entry into the Promised Land and beyond. It serves as a confession of Israel's national sins and a plea for divine mercy. The psalm vividly portrays Israel's repeated rebellion and God's consistent, yet patient, faithfulness.

Verse 12 is situated directly after the powerful description of God's dramatic deliverance at the Red Sea (Ps 106:8-11). It highlights the immediate, emotional, and external reaction of the Israelites to this immense miracle. However, this moment of belief and praise is tragically short-lived, as the very next verse (Ps 106:13) introduces their swift forgetting of God's works and their impatience. The verse therefore sets up the stark contrast between human fickle-mindedness and divine steadfastness, a recurring theme throughout the psalm and the broader history of Israel. It portrays a peak of responsiveness that quickly gives way to a valley of unfaithfulness.

Psalm 106 12 Word analysis

• Then: Hebrew 'az (אָז). This adverb signifies immediate sequence and consequence. It connects the people's belief directly to the preceding mighty acts of God. It highlights a precise moment in time, showing a swift response.

• believed: Hebrew 'aman (אָמַן). This root implies firmness, steadfastness, and trustworthiness. While it signifies their initial acceptance and trust in God's capability and word at that specific moment, the broader context of Psalm 106 shows this belief was superficial and not abiding. It was an intellectual acknowledgment and temporary conviction, rather than a deep, lasting faith that transforms action.

• they: Refers to the people of Israel, who had just witnessed God's mighty acts.

• his words: Hebrew dibbar (דְּבָרוֹ). Refers to God's declarations, promises, or commands, and implicitly, the demonstration of their truth through His actions. In this context, it refers to the confirmation of His power and redemptive purpose demonstrated through the Red Sea miracle. Their belief was in the truth of what God had shown and said He would do.

• they sang: Hebrew shir (שִׁיר). To utter words in song, often for praise or joy. This denotes an outward, communal expression of celebration and worship. It points to a visible, audible response of profound relief and gratitude.

• his praise: Hebrew təhila (תְּהִלָּה). This term means praise, glory, or a hymn of praise. It describes the substance of their song. It was a worshipful acknowledgment of God's great deeds, specifically His power in saving them and judging their enemies.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Then believed they his words": This phrase marks a turning point of immediate trust, born of fresh experience. It implies that seeing God's powerful intervention brought about a momentary conviction that His promises were true and His power limitless. This "belief" was contingent on immediate, undeniable evidence.
  • "they sang his praise": This phrase describes the natural outflow and demonstration of their temporary belief. Their conviction manifested as an outpouring of corporate worship, aligning with the "Song of Moses" (Exod 15) sung after the Red Sea crossing. This was a direct, heartfelt (at the time) expression of thanksgiving and adoration.

Psalm 106 12 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "believed" ('aman) is the root from which we derive "amen," signifying truth, firmness, and trustworthiness. In Psalm 106:12, its use highlights the fleeting nature of the Israelites' trust. While the word itself signifies steadfastness, their application of it here was temporary. This contrast is a key point in understanding Israel's wilderness journey and indeed, much of the Old Testament narrative: God remains faithful and aman (true), even when His people are not. This cyclical pattern of sin, punishment, repentance (often superficial), and deliverance defines much of Israel's story and emphasizes the enduring grace and patience of the Lord. The initial singing in Exodus 15 and Psalm 106:12 shows that when Israel did align with God, even briefly, it resulted in worship, echoing a deeper spiritual truth that joyful praise is a natural fruit of perceiving God's redemptive work.

Psalm 106 12 Commentary

Psalm 106:12 captures a fleeting but profound moment in Israel's history: the immediate aftermath of their miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea. In this instant, having just witnessed God's unparalleled power to save them and destroy their enemies, the people's response was one of genuine belief and enthusiastic praise. This was an awe-struck, heartfelt reaction to a divine intervention that changed their destiny. They trusted in the Lord's "words" (or promises/actions) because they had just seen them fulfilled in a spectacular way. Their singing was not merely a cultural custom but a deep, emotional expression of their gratitude and acknowledgment of God's glory.

However, the placement of this verse within Psalm 106, particularly followed by verse 13 ("But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel"), highlights its tragic irony. The "belief" and "praise" were shallow, not deeply rooted in their hearts. They responded to the sensation of the miracle rather than cultivating a lasting relationship of trust and obedience with their Deliverer. This serves as a timeless caution that initial emotional responses to divine power, though outwardly positive, do not guarantee enduring faith or faithfulness. It underscores the human tendency to quickly forget God's mighty deeds and counsels when trials arise, demonstrating that true faith must move beyond a moment of spectacle to a sustained commitment.