Psalms 106:13 (KJV)

What does Psalms 106:13 mean?

Psalms 106:13 says that the people quickly forgot what God had done for them and did not wait for His guidance. The verse points out how fast they lost sight of God’s help and chose not to seek His direction.

The psalmist is speaking about the Israelites after God rescued them, likely referring to the events following the Exodus from Egypt. Instead of remembering God’s powerful acts and waiting for His advice, they acted on their own. This verse highlights a pattern of forgetfulness and impatience that led to further problems for the people.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 106:13

• "soon" (מַהֵר, maher): This word means "quickly" or "hastily," stressing how little time passed before the people forgot. It shows that their memory of God’s works faded almost immediately.
• "forgat" (שָׁכַח, shakach): This word means "to forget," but often carries the sense of neglect or failing to keep something in mind. It is not just a lapse in memory but a turning away from what should have been remembered.
• "waited" (חָכָה, chakah): This word means "to wait" or "to expect," often with the idea of looking for guidance or help. Here, it suggests that the people did not pause to seek God’s advice before acting.
• "counsel" (עֵצָה, etsah): This word means "advice," "plan," or "guidance." In this verse, it refers to God’s wisdom and direction, which the people ignored.

Why Psalms 106:13 matters

• Psalms 106:13 helps clarify that the issue was not just forgetting facts but a deeper neglect of God’s ongoing guidance and care.
• The verse highlights a recurring theme in the psalm: the people’s impatience and unwillingness to trust God’s timing, which led to further mistakes.
• This verse connects to the larger story of Israel’s history, showing how quickly people can turn away from what they have experienced, and how important it is to remember and seek God’s direction.