Psalms 106:43
Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
Original Language Analysis
פְּעָמִ֥ים
times
H6471
פְּעָמִ֥ים
times
Strong's:
H6471
Word #:
1 of 8
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
רַבּ֗וֹת
Many
H7227
רַבּ֗וֹת
Many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
2 of 8
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
יַצִּ֫ילֵ֥ם
did he deliver
H5337
יַצִּ֫ילֵ֥ם
did he deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
3 of 8
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
יַמְר֣וּ
them but they provoked
H4784
יַמְר֣וּ
them but they provoked
Strong's:
H4784
Word #:
5 of 8
to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)
בַעֲצָתָ֑ם
him with their counsel
H6098
בַעֲצָתָ֑ם
him with their counsel
Strong's:
H6098
Word #:
6 of 8
advice; by implication, plan; also prudence
Historical Context
The Book of Judges explicitly describes this cycle: 'And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them...And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers' (Judges 2:18-19). Despite experiencing God's deliverance repeatedly, each generation returned to idolatry. God's patience endured this cycle for centuries before bringing exile. Even after exile, the pattern continued in lesser forms.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God continue delivering those who repeatedly rebel after each rescue?
- What does the rebellion-judgment-deliverance cycle teach about human nature?
- How should God's repeated deliverances affect our response to His grace?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse transitions to God's merciful response. 'Many times did he deliver them' emphasizes repeated rescue despite repeated rebellion. God's covenant faithfulness outlasted Israel's unfaithfulness. 'But they provoked him with their counsel' shows that after each deliverance, they returned to rebellion. 'Provoked' again uses marah (מָרָה), meaning to be rebellious or bitter. 'With their counsel' (etsah, עֵצָה) means with their plans or decisions—they chose rebellion. 'Were brought low for their iniquity' shows that their lowly state resulted from their own sin. The cycle repeats: deliverance → rebellion → judgment → deliverance. Only God's covenant faithfulness explains why He didn't utterly destroy them.