Psalms 106:12
Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּאֲמִ֥ינוּ
Then believed
H539
וַיַּאֲמִ֥ינוּ
Then believed
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
1 of 4
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
Historical Context
The Song of the Sea (Exodus 15:1-21) was Israel's exultant response to seeing Egypt's army drowned. Led by Moses and Miriam, the people celebrated God's triumph. Yet within days they were grumbling about water (Exodus 15:24) and food (Exodus 16:3). This pattern of momentary faith followed by doubt became characteristic of the wilderness generation, illustrating the human tendency toward forgetfulness and unbelief.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the difference between temporary, emotion-driven faith and enduring trust in God?
- How can believers cultivate faith that persists beyond dramatic spiritual experiences?
- Why does crisis-driven belief often fail to produce lasting transformation?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes Israel's immediate response after the Red Sea deliverance. 'Then believed they his words' shows that the Red Sea miracle produced faith—at least momentarily. 'They sang his praise' refers to the Song of the Sea (Exodus 15), Israel's great hymn of victory. However, the word 'then' is ominous—it implies their faith was temporary and situation-dependent. The next verse confirms this: their belief and praise lasted only until the next trial. This teaches that genuine faith endures beyond dramatic experiences. Event-driven faith that rises and falls with circumstances is immature and unstable. True belief trusts God's character, not just His recent demonstrations of power.