King James Version

What Does Psalms 106:43 Mean?

Psalms 106:43 in the King James Version says “Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. broug...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 106 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. brought: or, impoverished, or, weakened”

Psalms 106:43 · KJV

Context

41

And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.

42

Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.

43

Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. brought: or, impoverished, or, weakened

44

Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:

45

And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

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Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God continue delivering those who repeatedly rebel after each rescue?
  2. What does the rebellion-judgment-deliverance cycle teach about human nature?
  3. How should God's repeated deliverances affect our response to His grace?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
פְּעָמִ֥ים1 of 8

“times”

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

רַבּ֗וֹת2 of 8

“Many”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

יַצִּ֫ילֵ֥ם3 of 8

“did he deliver”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

וְ֭הֵמָּה4 of 8
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

יַמְר֣וּ5 of 8

“them but they provoked”

H4784

to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)

בַעֲצָתָ֑ם6 of 8

“him with their counsel”

H6098

advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

וַ֝יָּמֹ֗כּוּ7 of 8

“and were brought low”

H4355

to tumble (in ruins); figuratively, to perish

בַּעֲוֺנָֽם׃8 of 8

“for their iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 106:43 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 106:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 81:12Judges 2:16-18Psalms 1:11 Samuel 12:9-11Psalms 106:291 Samuel 13:19

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