Psalm 106 43

Psalm 106:43 kjv

Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.

Psalm 106:43 nkjv

Many times He delivered them; But they rebelled in their counsel, And were brought low for their iniquity.

Psalm 106:43 niv

Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin.

Psalm 106:43 esv

Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity.

Psalm 106:43 nlt

Again and again he rescued them,
but they chose to rebel against him,
and they were finally destroyed by their sin.

Psalm 106 verses

Psalm 106 43 Meaning

Psalm 106:43 conveys the repeated cycle of God's gracious deliverance of Israel despite their persistent rebellion against His counsel. Their defiance, rooted in their own schemes, invariably led to their humiliation and subjugation, demonstrating that actions based on sin ultimately result in suffering and diminished status. The verse highlights the stark contrast between divine faithfulness and human faithlessness, showing God's enduring patience amidst His people's unceasing waywardness, yet affirming that their iniquity brings natural and divine consequences.

Psalm 106 43 Context

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, a prayer of confession and remembrance of God's faithfulness and Israel's continuous rebellion. It recounts the nation's spiritual history from the Exodus through the wilderness wanderings, the conquest, and into the period of the Judges, highlighting various instances of their sin and God's consistent deliverance. Verse 43 serves as a recurring thematic statement, summarizing the cycle that was particularly prevalent during the period of the Judges (as described in the Book of Judges): Israel would commit evil, fall under oppression (being "brought low"), cry out to God, and God would raise up a deliverer. This verse encapsulates the exasperating yet revealing pattern of divine patience met with human unfaithfulness, providing a somber prelude to the psalm's ultimate plea for national restoration (vv. 44-48). The historical context underscores that despite experiencing miraculous salvations and having a clear covenant, Israel's default remained defiance against God's loving guidance.

Psalm 106 43 Word analysis

• Many times (רַבּוֹת - rabbot): From the root rab, meaning "much, great, numerous." The plural intensifies the idea, emphasizing the frequency and countless nature of God's acts of deliverance. This highlights God's infinite patience and unwearied willingness to rescue.

• did he deliver them (הִצִּילָם - hiṣṣîlām): Hiphil verb from naṣal, meaning "to snatch away," "to rescue," "to extricate." The Hiphil stem indicates that God was the active agent in bringing about deliverance. This points to His initiative, power, and mercy in saving His people from harm, even when they did not deserve it.

• but they rebelled (וְהֵם מָרוּ - wəhēm māru): The conjunction "but" marks a sharp contrast. Maru comes from marah, meaning "to be rebellious," "to be contentious," "to defy authority." This signifies a deliberate, conscious act of insubordination and disobedience against God. It suggests not mere failure, but active opposition to His will and ways.

• against him (בוֹ - bô): Points directly to God as the object of their rebellion, emphasizing the personal nature of their sin against their divine benefactor.

• with their counsel (בַּעֲצָתָם - baʿăṣāṯām): From ʿeṣāh, meaning "counsel," "advice," "purpose," "plan." This refers to their own schemes, intentions, and wisdom—human strategies that deviated from or directly opposed God's commands and wisdom. It indicates they consciously chose their own way, relying on their own flawed judgment rather than on divine guidance, which underscores the wilful aspect of their rebellion. This is a rejection of God's wisdom in favor of human folly.

• and were brought low (וַיֵּמַכּוּ - wayyēmmakku): Niphal verb from makak, meaning "to sink down," "to be diminished," "to be humbled," "to become impoverished," "to be humiliated." The Niphal stem indicates a passive state, often implying that this low state was either a direct consequence of their sin or a result of God's judgment allowing them to be subjugated by their enemies. It describes their reduction to a state of weakness, vulnerability, and oppression.

• for their iniquity (בַּעֲוֹנָם - baʿăwōnām): From ʿāwōn, meaning "iniquity," "guilt," and sometimes "punishment for guilt." This phrase clearly establishes the causal link between their rebellion ("counsel") and their consequent suffering ("brought low"). Their "iniquity" encompasses their sinful actions and the corrupt nature from which those actions spring, ultimately leading to their merited humbling.

• "Many times did he deliver them; but they rebelled against him": This phrase highlights the persistent tension and contrasting actions throughout Israel's history. It underscores God's unending grace and power in salvation against humanity's unending tendency to reject that grace through disobedience. It's a cyclical narrative of redemption and apostasy.

• "rebelled against him with their counsel": This phrase pinpoints the root of their rebellion not as simple error, but as intentional defiance. Their "counsel" refers to the schemes and purposes devised in their own hearts, which diverged from God's established path. This emphasizes self-will and self-reliance as core elements of sin.

• "and were brought low for their iniquity": This segment connects cause and effect directly. The "iniquity" stemming from their rebellious "counsel" leads inexorably to their diminished and humiliated state. This highlights divine justice at play, where sin inevitably carries consequences, whether through God's direct punitive action or the natural outcome of a path of rebellion.

Psalm 106 43 Bonus section

The historical cycle presented in this verse and throughout Psalm 106 is crucial for understanding the Old Testament narrative, particularly the book of Judges. It forms a theological explanation for Israel's suffering and subjugation: it was not due to God's inability or abandonment, but a direct consequence of their covenant disloyalty. The frequent "bringing low" served as a disciplinary measure designed to turn their hearts back to God, a painful but redemptive process. This cyclical pattern ultimately points to the necessity of Christ, the perfect Deliverer and true Israelite, whose life and atoning work break this cycle for those who believe, providing not merely external deliverance but an internal renewal that enables consistent faithfulness, overcoming the "rebellious counsel" of the old heart.

Psalm 106 43 Commentary

Psalm 106:43 concisely summarizes the tragic, repetitive pattern seen throughout Israel's history: God's steadfast love and repeated acts of deliverance were continually met with His people's rebellious defiance. This rebellion was not an accidental straying, but a deliberate choice driven by "their counsel"—their own self-devised plans and desires that opposed divine wisdom. This turning to their own ways inevitably led to humbling consequences, a state of being "brought low" through oppression or misfortune, which was a direct result of their "iniquity."

The verse profoundly illustrates God's unwearied patience and active intervention on behalf of a faithless people. He continued to rescue them even as they persistently resisted His loving rule. Yet, it simultaneously affirms the unchanging truth that sin carries its own heavy price. Their self-chosen path, guided by their own rebellious schemes, never led to lasting peace or prosperity, but consistently to humiliation and bondage. It serves as a stark warning against self-reliance and illustrates the devastating cycle that arises when humanity chooses its own path over divine counsel. This pattern foreshadows the human condition's deep need for a complete transformation of heart, fulfilled only through the New Covenant, where God's Spirit empowers true obedience.