Psalms 95:10
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
Original Language Analysis
אָ֘ק֤וּט
long was I grieved
H6962
אָ֘ק֤וּט
long was I grieved
Strong's:
H6962
Word #:
3 of 13
properly, to cut off, i.e., (figuratively) detest
בְּד֗וֹר
with this generation
H1755
בְּד֗וֹר
with this generation
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
עַ֤ם
It is a people
H5971
עַ֤ם
It is a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 13
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
תֹּעֵ֣י
that do err
H8582
תֹּעֵ֣י
that do err
Strong's:
H8582
Word #:
7 of 13
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Hebrews 3:17But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?Acts 13:18And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.Acts 7:36He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
Historical Context
The 40 years corresponded to the 40 days the spies explored Canaan—one year for each day (Numbers 14:34). During this time, the rebellious generation died off. Only Joshua, Caleb, and the younger generation entered the Promised Land. This demonstrates God's patience but also his certainty of judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to know God's ways relationally rather than just intellectually?
- How might you be wandering in heart even while maintaining outward religious observance?
- What does God's 40-year grief teach about his patience with persistent unbelief?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation (אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה אָקוּט בְּדוֹר, arba'im shanah akut be-dor)—Kut means loathe, feel disgust, be grieved. And said, It is a people that do err in their heart (וָאֹמַר עַם תֹּעֵי לֵבָב הֵם, va'omar am to'ei levav hem)—Ta'ah means wander, go astray, err; levav is heart. And they have not known my ways (וְהֵם לֹא־יָדְעוּ דְרָכָי, ve-hem lo-yad'u d'rakhai)—Yada means know intimately, experience relationally.
God's grief lasted forty years—the entire wilderness period. Their error wasn't intellectual but cardiac: err in their heart. They didn't know God's ways not because he didn't reveal them, but because they refused intimate relationship. Yada (know) implies experiential, covenantal knowing, not mere information. Numbers 14:11 records God's assessment: "How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me?"