Psalms 106:7-8
Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea. Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The deepest offense here wasn't just forgetting God's powerful acts; it was a failure to understand them, to let those wonders truly shape their perception of God and their trust in Him. This lack of insight led them to rebel at the Red Sea, proving that a disconnected memory of miracles is as dangerous as outright forgetfulness.
The Psalmist is confessing the sins of Israel, tracing their rebellious nature back to their very beginnings. This verse highlights the Israelites' failure to truly grasp and remember God's powerful acts of deliverance in Egypt. Instead of being awestruck and grateful, they quickly forgot His mercies and rebelled against Him at the Red Sea, demonstrating a profound lack of faith and understanding.
Ever felt like you're just going through the motions, even with amazing things happening around you? That's what the Israelites did at the Red Sea.
The verse uses the word 'consider' (or 'understand' in some translations) to describe how the Israelites viewed God's mighty acts in Egypt. This isn't just about a lack of intellectual comprehension; it's about a failure to truly engage with what God was doing.
More Than Just Seeing
What's the link between remembering God's past kindness and our present obedience? This verse makes it starkly clear.
The psalm directly connects forgetting God's past mercies to their present rebellion at the Red Sea. This isn't an accident; it's a dangerous pattern.
The Danger of a Short Memory
Understand the original words
marah · Hebrew Verb
A state of active opposition or stiff-necked defiance against God's authority. It is the conscious rejection of His sovereignty and commands.
chesed · Hebrew Noun
The covenantal, loyal, and faithful love of God. It is a deep, committed love that surpasses mere emotion, rooted in God's faithfulness to His promises.
shem · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the reputation, character, and authority of God. Acting for His name's sake signifies that God's primary motivation is to uphold His own glory and reveal His holy character to the world.
geburah · Hebrew Noun
The active, irresistible exercise of divine strength. It points to God's ability to intervene in history and manifest His sovereignty over nature and human affairs.
This psalm reflects on the pattern of Israel's history: God's incredible acts of deliverance met with their forgetfulness and rebellion, a cycle that began even at the Red Sea.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
Following the Ten Plagues, God delivers the Israelites from over 400 years of slavery in Egypt through Moses.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Crossing the Red Sea
The Israelites, pursued by Pharaoh's army, witness God miraculously part the Red Sea, allowing them safe passage. The pursuing Egyptian army is then drowned.
c. 1446 BC
Desert Wanderings Begin
After the Red Sea crossing, the Israelites begin their 40-year journey through the wilderness toward the Promised Land, marked by challenges and divine provision.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites cross the Jordan River and begin the military campaigns to conquer the Promised Land.
c. 1400-1050 BC
This passage directly describes the Israelites' fear and rebellion at the Red Sea, highlighting their failure to trust God's power despite the wonders He had already performed in Egypt.
Deuteronomy 32:28-29This passage speaks to the lack of wisdom and understanding ('insight' in the commentary) in Israel, a theme mirrored in Psalm 106:7 where their failure to 'consider' God's works is emphasized.
Nehemiah 9:16-17This prayer echoes Psalm 106 by confessing the people's rebellion and forgetfulness of God's acts, specifically mentioning their defiance at the Red Sea and God's establishment of His name.
Psalm 78:11This verse laments the people's failure to remember God's mighty deeds, directly linking their forgetfulness to their rebellion, much like Psalm 106:7.
Isaiah 63:7This prophetic passage reflects on God's steadfast love and mighty deeds for Israel, contrasting His faithfulness with their rebellions, thus providing a broader theological context for the lament in Psalm 106.
clarkePsalms 106:7: "Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea."
Our fathers understood not - They did not regard the operation of God's hands; and therefore they understood neither his designs nor their own interest. At the sea, even at the Red Sea - Some of the rabbins suppose that the repetition of the words point out two faults of the Israelites at the Red Sea. 1. They murmured against Moses…
pulpitPsalms 106:7: "Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea."
Verse 7. - Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; rather, considered not - did not give serious thought to them; took them as matters of course, and so were not impressed by them. They remembered not the multitude of thy mercies (comp. Psalm 69:16; Isaiah 63:7; Lamentations 3:32; and infra, ver. 45). But provoked him; rath…
The deepest offense here wasn't just forgetting God's powerful acts; it was a failure to understand them, to let those wonders truly shape their perception of God and their trust in Him. This lack of insight led them to rebel at the Red Sea, proving that a disconnected memory of miracles is as dangerous as outright forgetfulness.
The Psalmist is confessing the sins of Israel, tracing their rebellious nature back to their very beginnings. This verse highlights the Israelites' failure to truly grasp and remember God's powerful acts of deliverance in Egypt. Instead of being awestruck and grateful, they quickly forgot His mercies and rebelled against Him at the Red Sea, demonstrating a profound lack of faith and understanding.
"Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea. Yet he saved them for his name’s sake,…" — The deepest offense here wasn't just forgetting God's powerful acts; it was a failure to them, to let those wonders truly shape their perception of God and their trust in Him. This lack…
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This forgetfulness is highlighted as a root cause of sin, not just an incidental factor. It shows how crucial it is to actively recall God's faithfulness.
What does it truly mean to 'rebel' against God, especially in a moment of crisis?
The psalm doesn't just say they doubted or complained; it uses the strong word 'rebelled.' This reveals the gravity of their actions at the Red Sea.
The Nature of Their Rebellion
Period of the Judges
Following the conquest, Israel experiences cycles of disobedience, oppression by surrounding nations, and deliverance through various judges raised by God.
