Psalms 106:7
Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.
Original Language Analysis
אֲב֘וֹתֵ֤ינוּ
Our fathers
H1
אֲב֘וֹתֵ֤ינוּ
Our fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
1 of 15
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִשְׂכִּ֬ילוּ
understood
H7919
הִשְׂכִּ֬ילוּ
understood
Strong's:
H7919
Word #:
4 of 15
to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent
נִפְלְאוֹתֶ֗יךָ
not thy wonders
H6381
נִפְלְאוֹתֶ֗יךָ
not thy wonders
Strong's:
H6381
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
זָ֭כְרוּ
they remembered
H2142
זָ֭כְרוּ
they remembered
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חֲסָדֶ֑יךָ
of thy mercies
H2617
חֲסָדֶ֑יךָ
of thy mercies
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
10 of 15
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
וַיַּמְר֖וּ
but provoked
H4784
וַיַּמְר֖וּ
but provoked
Strong's:
H4784
Word #:
11 of 15
to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בְּיַם
him at the sea
H3220
בְּיַם
him at the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
13 of 15
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
Historical Context
At the Red Sea, Israel complained bitterly, preferring Egyptian slavery to trusting God's deliverance (Exodus 14:11-12). This occurred mere days after witnessing the death of Egypt's firstborn and their own miraculous preservation. The psalm identifies this as the pattern for all subsequent rebellion: seeing God's power but failing to trust His ongoing provision.
Questions for Reflection
- How can people witness God's work yet fail to trust Him?
- What is the difference between seeing miracles and having spiritual understanding?
- In what ways do believers 'forget' God's past mercies during present trials?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse specifies the first generation's failure. 'Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt' shows intellectual and spiritual blindness—they saw miracles but failed to comprehend their meaning. 'Understood not' (sakal, שָׂכַל) means they didn't act wisely or gain insight. 'Remembered not the multitude of thy mercies' indicates forgetfulness despite abundant evidence. 'Provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea' refers to Israel's fear when trapped between Pharaoh's army and the sea (Exodus 14:10-12). Despite witnessing all ten plagues, they panicked at the first post-exodus challenge. This teaches that seeing miracles doesn't guarantee faith—spiritual understanding requires God's illuminating work.