Psalm 106 39

Psalm 106:39 kjv

Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.

Psalm 106:39 nkjv

Thus they were defiled by their own works, And played the harlot by their own deeds.

Psalm 106:39 niv

They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds they prostituted themselves.

Psalm 106:39 esv

Thus they became unclean by their acts, and played the whore in their deeds.

Psalm 106:39 nlt

They defiled themselves by their evil deeds,
and their love of idols was adultery in the LORD's sight.

Psalm 106 verses

Psalm 106 39 Meaning

Psalm 106:39 conveys the severe consequences of ancient Israel's disobedience and spiritual unfaithfulness. It states that the Israelites became ritually and morally corrupted ("defiled") through their actions, specifically by engaging in their own self-devised practices and beliefs, which constituted a form of spiritual infidelity ("went a whoring") against God. This verse underscores the self-inflicted nature of their defilement and highlights their choice to abandon God's covenant for their own preferred, unholy ways, culminating in a profound betrayal of their relationship with the Lord.

Psalm 106 39 Context

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, recounting the repeated cycles of Israel's rebellion and God's enduring faithfulness, from their miraculous deliverance from Egypt to their exile. Verse 39 specifically falls within a section detailing Israel's idolatry after entering the Promised Land. The preceding verses (34-38) describe how Israel failed to drive out the Canaanites as commanded, instead intermarrying with them and adopting their abominable practices, including the horrific act of sacrificing their children to pagan gods and demons. Verse 39 serves as a summary statement and consequence of these specific acts, asserting that by engaging in such practices, they became spiritually and morally defiled, thereby committing spiritual harlotry against the God of their covenant. This unfaithfulness stemmed from their self-willed adoption of non-Yahwistic religious ways.

Psalm 106 39 Word analysis

• Word by word analysis:

  • Thus: An adverb signaling the result or consequence of the preceding actions mentioned in verses 37-38, linking their acts of child sacrifice to the ensuing state.
  • were they defiled: From the Hebrew ṭāmēʾ (טָמֵא), meaning to be unclean, polluted, or rendered ritually or morally impure. In this context, it speaks to deep spiritual contamination, not merely ceremonial uncleanness, incurred by contact with the profane and evil practices of idolatry.
  • with their own works: Hebrew bəmaʿăśêhem (בְּמַעֲשֵׂיהֶם). This phrase emphasizes human agency and responsibility. Their "works" refer to the totality of their idolatrous actions, sacrifices, and rituals they adopted from the surrounding nations. It directly contrasts with God's commanded actions or works.
  • and went a whoring: From the Hebrew root zānāh (זָנָה), meaning to commit fornication, to play the harlot. In the Bible, especially in prophetic literature, this verb is a powerful and frequently used metaphor for spiritual apostasy and idolatry. It signifies unfaithfulness to God, seen as Israel's covenant "husband," breaking the sacred bond through seeking other gods.
  • with their own inventions: From the Hebrew bətaʿălûlêhem (בְּתַעֲלֻלֵיהֶם), a less common and evocative word that implies contrivances, deeds, or even perverse "childish doings" or caprices. It speaks to humanly devised religious practices and schemes, lacking divine sanction and often leading to folly and wickedness. It highlights the self-generated, rebellious, and ultimately destructive nature of their chosen paths.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "were they defiled with their own works": This phrase underlines the direct causal link between Israel's deliberate actions (their "works") and their state of spiritual and ritual impurity. It implies that the pollution was not merely external but deeply ingrained through their choices, particularly in engaging with pagan rituals, including human sacrifice (Psa 106:37-38). It's a statement of self-defilement, meaning they actively chose to become unclean by engaging in practices God strictly forbade.
  • "and went a whoring with their own inventions": This extends the concept of defilement to include an active, ongoing betrayal of their covenant with God. "Whoring" vividly depicts their spiritual promiscuity, seeking satisfaction from false gods and illicit practices instead of remaining exclusively devoted to Yahweh. The "inventions" clarify that these were not innocent errors but deliberately chosen, human-devised religious systems that competed with, and ultimately rejected, God's revelation. This phrase underscores the deep-seated self-will and apostasy inherent in their spiritual adultery.

Psalm 106 39 Bonus section

The specific choice of the Hebrew word taʿălûl for "inventions" (sometimes rendered "dealings" or "perversities") is notable. It can carry a connotation of playful or childish actions that are ultimately mischievous or perverse, indicating the profound folly and moral immaturity behind their self-devised religious practices. This word, appearing only twice in the Old Testament (here and in Isa 3:4 for the rule of "children" or "capricious people"), suggests a self-absorbed, wayward will rather than sincere worship. Furthermore, the double emphasis on "their own" highlights that Israel’s problem was internal—a decision to lean on their own understanding and desires rather than relying solely on God's commands and promises. This underscores a central biblical theme: true faith involves obedience and exclusive devotion to God, not syncretism or self-made spirituality.

Psalm 106 39 Commentary

Psalm 106:39 serves as a concise yet profound summary of Israel's repeated failure to uphold their covenant with God. The defilement ("ṭāmēʾ") signifies not just ceremonial impurity but a profound moral and spiritual pollution, stemming from their immersion in the detestable practices of the Canaanites. The use of "their own works" and "their own inventions" emphasizes human accountability; their fall was not due to God's neglect but their active choice to abandon divine commands. The metaphor of "went a whoring" ("zānāh") powerfully conveys spiritual infidelity, portraying Israel as a spouse betraying her sacred vows through allegiance to rival deities. This was not a passive slide but a deliberate embracing of self-contrived and illicit religious expressions, contrasting sharply with the true worship required by God's Law. This verse highlights the deep connection between idolatry, defilement, and covenant unfaithfulness, illustrating how self-willed actions against God's Word inevitably lead to spiritual ruin and separation. It stands as a timeless warning against devising personal spiritual paths contrary to God's revealed will.