Psalm 106 33

Psalm 106:33 kjv

Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.

Psalm 106:33 nkjv

Because they rebelled against His Spirit, So that he spoke rashly with his lips.

Psalm 106:33 niv

for they rebelled against the Spirit of God, and rash words came from Moses' lips.

Psalm 106:33 esv

for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips.

Psalm 106:33 nlt

They made Moses angry,
and he spoke foolishly.

Psalm 106 verses

Psalm 106 33 Meaning

This verse succinctly explains why Moses was prohibited from entering the Promised Land. It attributes Moses' sin at Meribah—speaking rashly and striking the rock—directly to the Israelites' constant rebellion and provocation against the Lord. Their repeated complaints and contentious spirit vexed God's spirit to the extent that it caused Moses, their leader, to act out of frustration and dishonor God's holy name through his words.

Psalm 106 33 Context

Psalm 106 is a confessional psalm, part of a collection often called the "Great Hallel." It offers a historical overview of Israel's repeated cycles of rebellion, sin, and God's enduring faithfulness and mercy from the Exodus up to their current state of dispersion or exile. This verse (Ps 106:33) specifically falls within the section recounting Israel's wilderness wanderings. It serves as an explanatory link, clarifying why Moses was held accountable and prohibited from entering the Promised Land, even though he was God's chosen leader. The immediate context of verse 33 points back to the rebellion at Meribah, following the recounting of Israel's provocations with Baal Peor and subsequent judgment. It highlights the principle that even a righteous leader, if provoked and lapsing in obedience, faces the just consequences from a holy God, further emphasizing the depth and pervasiveness of Israel's faithlessness that affected even the most devout.

Psalm 106 33 Word analysis

• For: This conjunction introduces a reason or explanation, linking Moses' subsequent action to the people's earlier provocation mentioned in preceding verses.

• they: Refers to the children of Israel, who are repeatedly portrayed in this Psalm and throughout the historical books as obstinate and rebellious, frequently testing God and His appointed leaders.

• provoked: From the Hebrew root מָרָה (marah), meaning "to be rebellious, to disobey, to be bitter, to defy." This word signifies an ongoing, vexing, and disobedient spirit that consistently stirred up divine displeasure. It implies a persistent opposition that grated against the Spirit of God.

• His spirit: Refers to the Spirit of God. While God is unchanging, human sin can 'grieve' or 'provoke' Him in a relational sense, activating His righteous response to disobedience. This concept underscores the intimacy of God's relationship with His people and the profound effect their unfaithfulness had on the divine heart, not weakening God but compelling Him to act in judgment according to His holiness.

• so that: This phrase introduces a direct result or consequence. The intense provocation of the people led directly to Moses' specific action.

• He: Refers to Moses, the prominent leader and mediator of the Old Covenant, highlighting that even great spiritual figures are susceptible to human frailties and sin under extreme pressure.

• spoke rashly: From the Hebrew root בָּטָא (batah or bata), meaning "to speak unadvisedly, to utter, to babble." This refers specifically to Moses' verbal outburst in Num 20:10, when he exclaimed, "Hear now, you rebels; shall we bring water for you out of this rock?" Moses' sin was not just striking the rock when told to speak to it, but also taking credit or questioning God's method, rather than solely sanctifying God's name before the people. His words were impulsive and displayed frustration rather than unwavering faith and reverence.

• with His lips: Emphasizes the direct instrument of the sin. It was a sin of speech, where words—which have great power—were used impatiently and in a manner that diminished God's glory and power in the eyes of the complaining Israelites.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "For they provoked His spirit": This phrase succinctly captures the cumulative effect of Israel's persistent and defiant actions. Their relentless murmuring and challenging of divine authority did not merely annoy Moses, but profoundly affected "God's spirit," triggering a righteous divine response, here expressed through allowing Moses to stumble. It depicts human sin impinging upon divine holiness.
  • "so that He spoke rashly with His lips": This linkage presents a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The people's provocation directly led to Moses' personal failure in speech. It highlights the principle that prolonged exposure to wickedness or intense frustration can push even the most righteous individual to a breaking point, resulting in actions or words that dishonor God. Moses' words were rash because they did not glorify God as the sole provider, but rather injected human pride or impatience into the miracle.

Psalm 106 33 Bonus section

• The incident at Meribah (Num 20) reveals that God demands meticulous obedience, especially from those entrusted with representing Him, precisely because their actions and words powerfully shape the people's perception of God.
• This verse contributes to the Psalm's overarching theme of God's unswerving Hesed (steadfast love) being tested by His people's equally unswerving rebellion. Despite their sin, God repeatedly delivered them, yet their provocations could even sway the greatest of His prophets.
• Moses, often seen as the paragon of meekness (Num 12:3), still had a breaking point under the relentless pressure of a rebellious people. This offers a powerful lesson on the corrupting influence of ungodly company and the need for constant reliance on God's strength to overcome temptation, even in the face of extreme provocation.
• The Psalmists, reflecting on this event, emphasize that it was the people's actions that provoked God's Spirit, highlighting that their sin directly contributed to the severity of the consequences for their revered leader.

Psalm 106 33 Commentary

Psalm 106:33 pinpoints a critical moment in Israel's wilderness narrative—Moses' sin at the waters of Meribah—and interprets it within the broader framework of Israel's repeated faithlessness. The Psalm identifies the deep-seated provocation of the Israelites as the ultimate cause for Moses' momentary lapse. God had commanded Moses to speak to the rock, yet under the relentless pressure and exasperation caused by the people's incessant complaining, Moses struck the rock twice and declared, "Hear now, you rebels; shall we bring water for you out of this rock?" This "rash speech" implied a taking of credit, an impatience with God's clear instruction, and a failure to sanctify God's name fully before a murmuring congregation. For a leader of Moses' stature, whose calling was to perfectly represent God, this error carried severe consequences: being barred from entering the Promised Land. This verse profoundly illustrates that unrighteous human actions (Israel's provocation) can lead even the righteous to stumble (Moses' rashness), and that God's holiness demands accountability, even from His chosen servants, lest His name be dishonored.