Psalm 106 32

Psalm 106:32 kjv

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

Psalm 106:32 nkjv

They angered Him also at the waters of strife, So that it went ill with Moses on account of them;

Psalm 106:32 niv

By the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD, and trouble came to Moses because of them;

Psalm 106:32 esv

They angered him at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account,

Psalm 106:32 nlt

At Meribah, too, they angered the LORD,
causing Moses serious trouble.

Psalm 106 verses

Psalm 106 32 Meaning

Psalm 106:32 records a specific instance of Israel's rebellion and its severe consequence. It states that the Israelites angered the Lord at the "waters of strife" (Meribah), and as a direct result of their actions and provocation, Moses, God's chosen leader, suffered a significant setback or "went ill." This refers to God's judgment upon Moses, preventing him from entering the Promised Land due to an act of disobedience that occurred because he was exasperated by the people's contentious spirit.

Psalm 106 32 Context

Psalm 106 is a confessional psalm, part of a larger section (Psalms 90-106) focused on God's kingdom. It serves as a historical recount of Israel's repeated sinfulness and rebellion against the Lord throughout their history, contrasting it with God's enduring steadfast love and faithfulness. The psalm highlights various instances from the Exodus, the wilderness wandering, and the period of judges and kings, emphasizing Israel's propensity to forget God's wonders and testing Him.

Verse 32 specifically falls within the section describing the wilderness wandering (Ps 106:13-33). It pinpoints a pivotal event at Meribah (meaning "strife" or "contention"), as recorded in Num 20:2-13. This incident occurred near the end of the forty-year journey, shortly before Israel was to enter the Promised Land. The immediate context of Psalm 106:32 is the continuation of Israel's pattern of testing God's patience and their inability to learn from previous divine provisions. Their persistent grumbling for water and challenging of Moses' and Aaron's leadership reached such a pitch that it caused Moses, in his exasperation, to act impulsively, leading to severe divine judgment against him.

Psalm 106 32 Word analysis

• They angered Him (Hebrew: וַיַּקְצִיפוּ / wayyaqtsîphû): From the root קָצַף (qatsaph), meaning "to be angry," "to vex," "to provoke." It implies causing God's strong displeasure or wrath. The direct object "Him" refers to the Lord (Yahweh). This verb is used frequently to describe Israel's actions that incurred divine displeasure. It highlights their defiance against God's authority and goodness.
• also (Hebrew: גַּם / gam): This conjunction indicates that this event at Meribah was not an isolated incident but another in a series of similar rebellions. It emphasizes the continuous, repetitive nature of Israel's sinfulness, underscoring a pattern of unfaithfulness described throughout the psalm.
• at the waters of strife (Hebrew: מֵי מְרִיבָה / mey Merîḇah): Literally "waters of contention." This is the specific location and event (Meribah Kadesh, Num 20) where the Israelites intensely quarreled and contended against God and His appointed leaders. The name itself memorializes their rebellion and God's holiness manifested in judgment.
• So that (Hebrew: וַיֵּרַע / wayyeraʻ): From the root רָעַע (raʻaʻ), "to be evil," "to be bad." This functions as a resultative conjunction, indicating the direct consequence of the people's actions. It establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
• it went ill with Moses (Hebrew: לְמֹשֶׁה / lĕ-Mosheh): Literally "it became bad for Moses," or "it displeased Moses." In context, this phrase implies that Moses personally suffered a severe consequence or misfortune. This misfortune refers to God's prohibition on Moses entering the Promised Land. This phrase encapsulates a significant personal tragedy for God's faithful servant.
• on account of them (Hebrew: בִּגְלָלָם / biglālām): "because of them," "through their fault," "on their account." This is a crucial phrase emphasizing Israel's indirect culpability for Moses' punishment. While Moses himself sinned (by striking the rock and not sanctifying God), the ultimate provocation that led to his frustration and subsequent sin came directly from the Israelites' constant grumbling and rebellion. Their persistent complaining weighed heavily on Moses, contributing to his momentary lapse in faith and obedience.

Psalm 106 32 Bonus section

• The Weight of Leadership: The incident at Meribah vividly illustrates the immense burden of spiritual leadership. Moses, despite his close relationship with God, was not immune to the exhaustion and exasperation brought on by continually leading a rebellious people. This situation underscores the need for divine strength and constant reliance on God for those in leadership roles.
• Sanctifying God: God's primary concern at Meribah was that Moses and Aaron "did not trust in Me enough to honor Me as holy" (Num 20:12). This was not merely about striking a rock; it was about failing to present God's holiness, patience, and faithfulness accurately to the people. When a leader acts out of human frustration rather than divine instruction, God's character is diminished in the eyes of observers.
• God's Impartial Justice: The severe judgment on Moses—preventing him from entering the Promised Land—demonstrates God's unwavering impartiality in upholding His holiness and commands. Even beloved figures are subject to divine discipline, serving as a powerful lesson for all believers.
• Corporate Sin's Reach: This verse profoundly highlights how the persistent rebellion of a community can directly contribute to the downfall or suffering of individuals, even those striving to serve God faithfully. It underscores the collective responsibility within a covenant community.

Psalm 106 32 Commentary

Psalm 106:32 encapsulates a profound lesson in divine justice, human responsibility, and the weighty nature of spiritual leadership. The "waters of strife" incident at Meribah serves as a potent illustration of how communal sin can tragically affect even the most revered individuals. Israel's relentless grumbling and challenging of God's provision pushed Moses, a man known for his meekness and direct communion with God, to the brink. His frustration caused him to act impulsively, striking the rock rather than speaking to it as God commanded, thereby failing to "sanctify" God in the eyes of the people by representing Him purely and faithfully (Num 20:12).

The phrase "it went ill with Moses on account of them" powerfully shifts some of the blame for Moses' fate to the Israelites. While Moses was held personally accountable for his own act of disobedience, the psalmist asserts that the severe consequence he faced was undeniably catalyzed by the people's stubborn and contentious spirit. This highlights the insidious nature of group sin, which can exert immense pressure on leaders and lead to their downfall. God's standard of holiness is unyielding; even His most favored servant could not misrepresent Him without consequence, especially at such a critical moment. This narrative emphasizes God's unwavering expectation that His representatives portray His glory and holiness accurately, especially in front of a doubting and rebellious people. It also reminds us that sin's impact often ripples beyond the immediate perpetrator, affecting those around them and even impacting future generations.