Psalms 106:35

But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּתְעָרְב֥וּ

H6148

But were mingled

to braid, i.e., intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange)

בַגּוֹיִ֑ם

H1471

among the heathen

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

וַֽ֝יִּלְמְד֗וּ

H3925

and learned

properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)

מַֽעֲשֵׂיהֶֽם׃

H4639

their works

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Psalms chapter 106 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of worship and praise, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?