Psalms 106:37 (KJV)

What does Psalms 106:37 mean?

Psalms 106:37 describes how the people of Israel sacrificed their own sons and daughters to "devils," meaning they offered their children in worship to false gods or evil spirits. This verse highlights a moment of deep unfaithfulness and moral failure in Israel’s history.

In this psalm, the writer is recounting the nation’s sins and failures as a warning and a confession before God. The verse refers to times when Israelites adopted the cruel practices of surrounding nations, including child sacrifice, which was strictly forbidden in their own law. The word "devils" here points to the spiritual evil behind these acts, showing how far the people had strayed from worshiping the one true God.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 106:37

• "sacrificed" (זָבַח, zāvaḥ): This word means to offer a sacrifice, usually in a religious sense. Here, it emphasizes the seriousness of what was given up—their own children.
• "sons" (בֵּן, ben) and "daughters" (בַּת, bat): These words make clear that the victims were their own children, highlighting the horror and personal cost of their actions.
• "devils" (שֵׁדִים, shedim): This word is often understood as referring to evil spirits or demons, not just idols. It shows that the sacrifices were not just misguided religious acts but were seen as offerings to dark spiritual forces.

Why Psalms 106:37 matters

• This verse clears up that the Israelites’ wrongdoing was not just idol worship but included the extreme act of child sacrifice, which was especially condemned in their law.
• The mention of "devils" (shedim) adds a spiritual dimension, showing that these acts were seen as serving evil powers, not just foreign gods.
• In the context of the psalm, this verse is part of a larger confession, helping readers see the depth of Israel’s failure and the need for God’s mercy and forgiveness.