Psalms 106:6
We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.
Original Language Analysis
חָטָ֥אנוּ
We have sinned
H2398
חָטָ֥אנוּ
We have sinned
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
1 of 5
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
2 of 5
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
אֲבוֹתֵ֗ינוּ
with our fathers
H1
אֲבוֹתֵ֗ינוּ
with our fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
3 of 5
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Cross References
Psalms 78:8And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.Nehemiah 9:16But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,1 Kings 8:47Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;Leviticus 26:40If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;
Historical Context
This confession introduces Israel's historical review of wilderness rebellion. By identifying with ancestral sin ('with our fathers'), later generations acknowledged they perpetuated the same unbelief. This was especially relevant for exilic/post-exilic Israel, who experienced judgment for repeating their ancestors' idolatry and covenant-breaking.
Questions for Reflection
- How does generational sin affect contemporary believers and churches?
- What does comprehensive confession (multiple terms for sin) teach about true repentance?
- In what ways do we repeat the sins and unbelief of previous generations?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse begins corporate confession. 'We have sinned with our fathers' acknowledges generational participation in rebellion. The three-fold confession ('sinned,' 'committed iniquity,' 'done wickedly') uses different Hebrew terms: chata (חָטָא, missed the mark), avah (עָוָה, twisted/perverted), and rasha (רָשַׁע, acted wickedly). This comprehensive confession acknowledges sin's breadth: missing God's standard, perverting His ways, and acting with moral corruption. Including 'with our fathers' shows continuity of rebellion across generations. This refutes the notion that each generation starts morally neutral—we inherit sinful patterns and participate in ongoing covenant breach.