Psalms 106:43-44
Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity. Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Even after repeated deliverances, Israel was "rebellious in their purposes," showing their downfall wasn't just a result of outward actions, but a deep-seated self-will that defied God's plan. This highlights how our internal choices and stubbornness can lead to being "brought low through their iniquity."
This psalm is recounting Israel's history, focusing on their repeated failures to obey God despite His repeated acts of deliverance. After detailing their unfaithfulness in the wilderness and the land, the psalmist highlights a recurring pattern: God would rescue them, but they would stubbornly continue in their own rebellious ways and ultimately suffer the consequences of their sin.
Israel’s history is a dramatic loop of falling into trouble and God pulling them out. What does this pattern reveal about both God and His people?
This verse paints a vivid picture of a recurring cycle in Israel's relationship with God. "Many times he delivered them" highlights God's persistent faithfulness and mercy. His interventions weren't rare occurrences; they were numerous, showing a pattern of rescue throughout their history, particularly during the time of the Judges.
However, this faithfulness was met with "rebellious in their purposes." This wasn't just occasional backsliding; it was a deep-seated self-will, a determination to go their own way, even after experiencing God's powerful deliverance. They actively chose to ignore God's counsel and pursue their own plans.
This repeated cycle of deliverance followed by rebellion inevitably led to "brought low through their iniquity." Their iniquity wasn't just a passive state; it was the very cause of their downfall. Their own choices, driven by rebellion, led to their suffering and subjugation.
What does it mean to be 'rebellious in their purposes'? It's more than just disobedience; it's a deeper turning away from God's wisdom.
The phrase 'rebellious in their purposes' points to a profound internal issue. It suggests that their rebellion wasn't merely a series of outward actions, but a fundamental orientation of their hearts and minds. They were forming plans, making decisions, and charting a course that was contrary to God's revealed will and wisdom.
This contrasts sharply with God's counsel. While God offered guidance, protection, and a path of blessing, Israel actively chose to devise their own strategies and follow their own inclinations. They weren't just passively failing; they were actively choosing a different path, a path of self-reliance and self-direction, which ultimately led them 'low.'
The commentaries suggest this refers to their 'self-will' and 'forsaking God's counsel.' It's the idea of thinking they knew better than God, or that their own plans were superior, despite all evidence to the contrary.
Understand the original words
natsal · Hebrew Verb
To deliver or rescue someone, often used of God acting on behalf of His people to save them from physical danger, enemies, or judgment.
marah · Hebrew Adjective
A state of defiance against God’s authority; it refers to a heart that refuses to submit to His revealed will and commands.
avon · Hebrew Noun
Moral perversity or deviation from the standard of God’s law; it denotes not just the act of sinning but the twisted nature of wrongdoing and its guilt.
This verse reflects the recurring pattern throughout Israel's history, particularly during the era of the Judges, where God's consistent deliverance was met with persistent, self-willed rebellion, ultimately leading to their downfall.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Following the death of Joshua, the Israelites failed to completely drive out the Canaanites as God commanded, planting the seeds for future disobedience.
c. 1380-1070 BC— this verse
Period of the Judges
A cycle of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance, where God repeatedly rescued Israel from its oppressors due to the people's repeated sin and rebellion.
c. 1070 BC
Eli's Priesthood and Loss of the Ark
A period of spiritual decline, marked by the corruption of the priesthood and the Philistine capture of the Ark of the Covenant, signifying God's displeasure.
c. 1050 BC
Saul Anointed King
Israel demands a king, an act that signifies their rejection of God's direct rule and a turning point towards a more political, human-centered leadership.
This passage describes a recurring cycle in Israel's history where they would do evil, be delivered by God through judges, and then fall back into sin, mirroring the pattern of deliverance followed by rebellion and downfall in Psalm 106:43.
Nehemiah 9:16-17Nehemiah's prayer recounts Israel's stubbornness and rebellion even after receiving God's deliverance, directly reflecting the themes of God's repeated acts of salvation and the people's persistent sin and subsequent low state.
Isaiah 63:10This verse speaks of Israel grieving God's Holy Spirit through their rebellion, highlighting the 'provoking' aspect of their actions mentioned in Psalm 106:43 and the sorrow it caused to God.
Jeremiah 11:10-11Jeremiah denounces Israel for turning to forbidden gods, breaking God's covenant, and facing his judgment, which parallels the idea of them being 'brought low through their iniquity' after rejecting God's counsel.
clarkePsalms 106:43: "Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity."
Many times did he deliver them - See the Book of Judges; it is a history of the rebellions and deliverances of the Israelites.
bensonPsalms 106:43: "Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity."
Psalm 106:43-46 . Many times did he deliver them — This seems to refer to the times of the judges; when God, many times, raised up deliverers, and wrought deliverances for them; and yet they relapsed to idolatry. They provoked him with their counsel — By forsaking God’s counsel, and the way which he had appointed, and following after their own evil inclinations. Ne…
Even after repeated deliverances, Israel was "rebellious in their purposes," showing their downfall wasn't just a result of outward actions, but a deep-seated self-will that defied God's plan. This highlights how our internal choices and stubbornness can lead to being "brought low through their iniquity."
This psalm is recounting Israel's history, focusing on their repeated failures to obey God despite His repeated acts of deliverance. After detailing their unfaithfulness in the wilderness and the land, the psalmist highlights a recurring pattern: God would rescue them, but they would stubbornly continue in their own rebellious ways and ultimately suffer the consequences of their sin.
This psalm is recounting Israel's history, focusing on their repeated failures to obey God despite His repeated acts of deliverance. After detailing their unfaithfulness in the wilderness and the land, the psalmist highlights a recurring pattern: God would rescue them, but they would stubbornly continue in their own rebellious ways and ultimately suffer the consequences of their sin.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Psalms 106:43-44 is available in the Sola app.
The verse connects their suffering directly to their 'iniquity.' What does this tell us about the consequences of sin?
The psalm concludes the description of Israel's pattern by stating they 'were brought low through their iniquity.' This isn't just a random misfortune; it's a direct consequence of their sinfulness. Their iniquity wasn't just a stain; it was a corrosive force that weakened them from within and made them vulnerable.
The Hebrew word used here (related to 'pining away' or 'melting') suggests a process of decay and weakening. Their sin hollowed them out, diminishing their strength, their resilience, and their standing before God and other nations. They weren't just punished for their iniquity; they were weakened by it, as if their sin itself was a disease consuming them.
This highlights a crucial theological truth: sin has inherent consequences. While God's deliverance is powerful, it doesn't erase the destructive nature of sin. When we persist in iniquity, we invite weakness and vulnerability into our lives, leading to a state of being 'brought low.'
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign and Kingdom
Though a time of great expansion and prosperity, David's reign also included significant personal failings that had consequences for the nation.
c. 931 BC
Divided Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into Israel (north) and Judah (south), leading to further religious and political instability.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The Northern Kingdom of Israel is conquered by Assyria and its people exiled, a stark consequence of their persistent rebellion.
"Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity. Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry." — Even after repeated deliverances, Israel was "rebellious in their purposes," showing their downfall wasn't just a result of outward actions, but a deep-seated self-will that defied God's plan. This h…
