Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.

PSALMS 106:43KJV
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Psalms 106:43 (KJV)

What does Psalms 106:43 mean?

Psalms 106:43 says that God rescued the people of Israel many times, but they repeatedly turned away from Him by following their own ideas, which led to their downfall because of their wrongdoing. The verse highlights a cycle of deliverance by God and repeated failure by the people due to their choices and sins.

In this psalm, the writer is looking back over Israel’s history, speaking to the gathered people and reflecting on how God kept saving them, but they kept making poor decisions that led them into trouble. The verse is part of a larger confession, showing both God’s patience and the people’s tendency to go astray.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 106:43

  • "Many" (רַבִּים, rabbim): This word emphasizes the repeated nature of God’s actions, showing that His deliverance was not a one-time event but happened over and over.
  • "Provoked" (מָרָה, marah): This word carries the sense of rebellion or stubborn resistance, not just mild irritation. It shows that the people’s response was willful and persistent.
  • "Counsel" (עֵצָה, etsah): This word means advice or plans, suggesting that the people were following their own ideas and decisions instead of God’s guidance.
  • "Low" (שָׁפֵל, shaphel): This word means to be brought down or humbled, often in a humiliating or painful way, highlighting the consequences of their actions.
  • "Iniquity" (עָוֹן, avon): This word refers to guilt or wrongdoing, especially actions that twist or distort what is right.

Why Psalms 106:43 matters

  • Psalms 106:43 clears up the idea that Israel’s troubles were just bad luck; the verse points out that their own choices and stubbornness played a big part.
  • The verse highlights God’s repeated mercy, showing that He did not give up on His people even when they failed again and again.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme of the psalm, which is an honest look at the ups and downs of Israel’s relationship with God, helping readers see both the seriousness of turning away and the hope found in God’s patience.

Where else these words appear

“low” Hebrew H4355 · used in 3 verses

  • Job 24:24 They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.
  • Ecclesiastes 10:18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.

“provoked” Hebrew H4784 · used in 43 verses

  • Numbers 20:10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
  • 1 Kings 13:21 And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee,
  • Isaiah 1:20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

“counsel” Hebrew H6098 · used in 85 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.
  • Job 21:16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
  • Isaiah 14:26 This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.

“times” Hebrew H6471 · used in 108 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • Deuteronomy 9:19 For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.
  • 2 Kings 5:10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.