Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.

PSALMS 106:12KJV
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Psalms 106:12 (KJV)

What does Psalms 106:12 mean?

Psalms 106:12 describes a moment when the people of Israel trusted what God said and responded by singing songs that honored Him. This verse shows a direct link between believing God’s promises and expressing that trust through joyful praise.

The psalmist is recalling Israel’s reaction after God delivered them, likely referring to the crossing of the Red Sea and their rescue from Egypt. In this historical setting, the people’s faith was sparked by witnessing God’s powerful actions, leading them to celebrate with songs. The verse highlights how belief and worship are connected in Israel’s story.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 106:12

  • "believed" (הֶאֱמִינוּ, he'eminū): This word means to trust or have confidence in. Here, it points to a moment of genuine faith in God’s promises after seeing His deeds.
  • "words" (דְּבָרָיו, devarav): This refers to the things God had spoken or promised. The focus is on Israel responding specifically to what God had said, not just to the events themselves.
  • "sang" (יָשִׁירוּ, yashiru): This verb is about singing, often in a celebratory or worshipful context. It suggests an outpouring of joy and gratitude.
  • "praise" (תְּהִלָּתוֹ, tehillato): This word means praise or song of praise, emphasizing that their singing was directed toward honoring God.

Why Psalms 106:12 matters

  • Psalms 106:12 clarifies that Israel’s faith was not abstract but was tied to specific acts of God and His spoken promises, showing faith as a response to real events.
  • The verse highlights a pattern in Israel’s history: moments of belief and worship often followed visible demonstrations of God’s power, but these moments could be short-lived.
  • This verse sets up a contrast with later verses in the psalm, where Israel’s faith wavers, helping readers see the ups and downs of trust and worship in the biblical story.

Where else these words appear

“praise” Hebrew H8416 · used in 57 verses

  • Exodus 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
  • Psalms 66:8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
  • Isaiah 42:10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.

“sang” Hebrew H7891 · used in 79 verses

  • Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
  • Ezra 7:7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
  • Psalms 65:13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.

“believed” Hebrew H539 · used in 102 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • 2 Kings 10:5 And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes.
  • Psalms 106:24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: