Psalms 106:21
They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Psalms 106:21
They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It's easy to read this as just stating they forgot God's saving power. But the verse emphasizes they forgot "God, their Savior," highlighting the deeply personal relationship and the specific, monumental acts He performed for them. This isn't just about forgetting miracles, but forgetting Him as their rescuer.
This psalm is a lament and confession of Israel's repeated unfaithfulness. It recounts their history, highlighting how often they turned away from God despite His mighty acts of deliverance, particularly His powerful rescue from slavery in Egypt. The verses immediately preceding this one detail their rebellion and envy towards Moses and Aaron, showing a pattern of ingratitude and defiance.
We all have those 'aha!' moments when God dramatically intervenes in our lives. But what happens when those moments fade from memory?
This verse highlights a core human struggle: forgetfulness. The Israelites experienced God's incredible power firsthand – the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, the provision in the wilderness. These weren't small favors; they were world-altering acts of salvation.
A History of Miracles
These weren't just historical events; they were divine promises demonstrated. Yet, as Psalm 106:21 states, 'They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt.' This forgetfulness wasn't due to a lack of evidence but a failure of the heart to retain the significance of God's actions.
Ingratitude can be subtle. It's not always outright rebellion, but often a quiet neglect of past blessings.
The psalm calls Israel's failure 'forgetting.' This implies more than just a lapse in memory; it suggests a loss of appreciation. When we forget the magnitude of God's saving acts, our gratitude dwindles, paving the way for other sins.
The Slippery Slope of Neglect
Understand the original words
shakach · Hebrew Verb
The act of failing to keep in memory or losing from one's mind, often implying a willful neglect of God's character, commandments, or redemptive acts toward His people.
yasha' · Hebrew Noun
One who delivers, rescues, or preserves from danger, bondage, or destruction; applied primarily to God as the sole deliverer of His people.
This verse points to a recurring theme in Israel's history: the tendency to forget God's powerful interventions and faithfulness, especially when faced with new challenges or desires.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through a series of powerful miracles, including the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.
c. 1446 BC
Rebellion at the Red Sea
Shortly after their miraculous escape, the Israelites grumble and fear the pursuing Egyptians, forgetting God's recent deliverance.
c. 1446 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
The Israelites spend forty years in the wilderness due to their disobedience and lack of faith.
c. 1445 BC
Golden Calf Incident
While Moses is on Mount Sinai, the Israelites make a golden calf and worship it, showing a rapid return to idolatry.
c. 1406 BC
This verse describes the immediate aftermath of the Red Sea miracle, where God's people are told not to fear but to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. It highlights God's direct intervention, contrasting with their later forgetfulness.
Deuteronomy 6:12This passage is a direct warning from Moses to Israel about the dangers of forgetting God after He has delivered them and brought them into a good land, mirroring the sentiment of Psalms 106:21.
Psalm 78:11-12Similar to Psalms 106:21, this psalm recounts Israel's history and specifically mentions how they forgot God's deeds and His wonders in Egypt, providing a parallel account of their ingratitude.
Nehemiah 9:16-17In their prayer of confession, Nehemiah and the people recall how their fathers became proud and stubborn, refusing to listen to God's commands and forgetting the mighty acts He had done for them in Egypt. This passage echoes the theme of forgetfulness and God's powerful works.
pulpitPsalms 106:21: "They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;"
Verse 21. - They forgat God their Saviour (comp. ver. 13). "God their Saviour" is "God who had so recently saved them out of the hands of Pharaoh." Which had done great things in Egypt. The allusion is principally to the long series of "plagues."
ellicottPsalms 106:21: "They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;"
(21) Forgot God their saviour. —With evident allusion to Deuteronomy 6:12 .
It's easy to read this as just stating they forgot God's saving power. But the verse emphasizes they forgot "God, their Savior," highlighting the deeply personal relationship and the specific, monumental acts He performed for them. This isn't just about forgetting miracles, but forgetting Him as their rescuer.
This psalm is a lament and confession of Israel's repeated unfaithfulness. It recounts their history, highlighting how often they turned away from God despite His mighty acts of deliverance, particularly His powerful rescue from slavery in Egypt. The verses immediately preceding this one detail their rebellion and envy towards Moses and Aaron, showing a pattern of ingratitude and defiance.
This psalm is a lament and confession of Israel's repeated unfaithfulness. It recounts their history, highlighting how often they turned away from God despite His mighty acts of deliverance, particularly His powerful rescue from slavery in Egypt. The verses immediately preceding this one detail their rebellion and envy towards Moses and Aaron, showing a pattern of ingratitude and defiance.
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The text is a stark reminder that remembering God's saving work isn't just a historical exercise; it's vital for maintaining a vibrant faith and a grateful heart.
Conquest of Canaan Begins
After entering the Promised Land, the Israelites are instructed to drive out the Canaanites, but often fail to do so completely.
"They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt," — It's easy to read this as just stating they forgot God's saving power. But the verse emphasizes they forgot "God, their Savior," highlighting the deeply personal relationship and the specific, monume…