Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 106:43
Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked [him] with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
43. but they provoked him &c.] But they were rebellious in their counsel. Self-will was their bane, as before ( Psa 106:13) when they would not wait for Jehovah’s counsel. The verbs are frequentative: repeated deliverances were met by repeated rebellion (Jdg 2:16-17).
and were brought low ] The Heb. verb closely resembles that in Lev 26:39, “they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity,” and in Eze 24:23; Eze 33:10, passages which were doubtless in the Psalmist’s mind. The change may have been intentional, or it may be due to a scribe’s error.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Many times did he deliver them – From danger of invasion; from foreign arms; from entire overthrow. Numerous instances of this are recorded in the history of the Hebrew people.
But they provoked him with their counsel – This does not mean that they gave counsel or advice to God; but it refers to the counsel which they took among themselves; the plans which they formed. These were such as to offend God.
And were brought low for their iniquity – Margin, impoverished or weakened. The Hebrew word means to melt away, to pine; and hence, to decay, to be brought low. See Job 24:24, where it is rendered brought low, and Ecc 10:18, where it is rendered decayeth. The word does not occur elsewhere. The meaning is, that they were weakened; their national strength was exhausted as a punishment for their sins.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 43. Many times did he deliver them] See the Book of Judges; it is a history of the rebellions and deliverances of the Israelites.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Provoked him with their counsel, by forsaking Gods counsel and the way which he had appointed, and following after their own inventions and evil inclinations, as charged them, Psa 106:39. See the like Num 15:30.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Many times did he deliver them,…. By means of the judges, Othniel, Ehud, Barak, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson, and others.
But they provoked him with their counsel; in asking a king, whom he gave in his anger, and took away in his wrath, Ho 13:11, and with their idolatries which they devised, setting up the calves at Dan and Bethel; and by taking counsel of others, and not of the Lord; seeking for help from the Assyrians and Egyptians, and trusting in them,
Isa 30:1, all which was very provoking, and showed great ingratitude, after so many deliverances: or, “though they provoked him with their counsels” b; with their inventions, as in Ps 106:29, yet such were his grace and goodness, that he frequently wrought salvation for them.
And were brought low for their iniquity: or “when they were weakened”, or “impoverished by their iniquity” c so that they could not help themselves; as they were particularly by the Midianites, Jud 6:1. Unless this should rather refer to some later times, as the times of Ahaz, when Judah was brought low for their transgressions, 2Ch 28:19 as also the time of the Babylonish captivity. Sin is of a weakening and impoverishing nature; it has weakened all mankind, and took from them their moral strength to do good; and has brought them to poverty and want; to be beggars an the dunghill; to a pit wherein is no water; and left them in a hopeless and helpless condition: yea, it brings the people of God oftentimes after conversion into a low estate, when God hides his face because of it; temptations are strong, grace is weak, and they become lukewarm and indifferent to spiritual things.
b “quamvis ipsi”, Junius Tremellius, Piscator. c “et attenuati essent”, Junius Tremellius, Piscator so Cocceius, Michaellis, Gejerus “et in paupertatem devenerunt per suam iniquitatem”, Tigurine version.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
43. Many times. As the wicked perversity of the people was manifested in that God’s severe chastisements failed to produce their reformation, so now, on the other hand, the prophet deduces the detestable hardness of their hearts from the fact, that all the benefits which they had received from God could not bend them into obedience. They did, indeed, in the time of their afflictions, groan under the burden of them; but when God not only mitigated their punishment, but also granted them wonderful deliverances, can their subsequent backsliding be excused? It becomes us to bear in mind, that here, as in a glass, we have a picture of the nature of all mankind; for let God but adopt those very means which he employed in relation to the Israelites, in order to reclaim the majority of the sons of men, how comparatively few are there who will not be found continuing in the very same state as they were? And if he either humble us by the severity of his rod, or melt us by his kindness, the effect is only temporary; because, though he visit us with correction upon correction, and heap kindness upon kindness, yet we very soon relapse into our wonted vicious practices. As for the Jews, their insensate stupidity was insufferable, in that, notwithstanding the many and magnificent deliverances which God wrought out for them, they did not cease from their backslidings. For the Psalmist says, that they, nevertheless, provoked God with their wicked inventions Then he declares that they received a just recompense of reward in being oppressed by their iniquity. Moreover, he informs us, that though they were most deserving of all their afflictions, yet their groanings were heard; whence we learn, that God, in his unwearied kindness, did not cease to strive with them on account of their perverseness of spirit.
For what pity was this, to hear the cry of those who turned a deaf ear to his wise instructions, and were regardless of all his warnings and threatenings? And yet after all this forbearance and long-suffering, their exceedingly depraved hearts remained unchanged.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
43. Many times did he deliver them See Jdg 2:16-19
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 106:43 Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked [him] with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
Ver. 43. Many times did he deliver them ] And as many times told them, Servati estis ut mihi servatis, I have, therefore, saved you that ye might serve me the better; Sed surdo fabulam, but they would not hearken.
(Theogn.).
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Many times. Compare Jdg 2:16. Neh 9:27, &c.
deliver = rescue.
iniquity. Hebrew. ‘avon. App-44.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Many: Jdg 2:16-18, 1Sa 12:9-11
with their: Psa 106:29, Psa 1:1, Psa 81:12
brought low: or, impoverished, or weakened, Jdg 5:8, Jdg 6:5, 1Sa 13:19
Reciprocal: Num 21:8 – General Jdg 2:17 – they would Jdg 4:1 – did evil Jdg 6:6 – impoverished Jdg 10:10 – cried Jdg 10:12 – the Maonites Jdg 16:14 – went away 2Ki 13:4 – the Lord 2Ki 14:26 – saw the affliction 2Ch 12:2 – because Neh 9:17 – forsookest Neh 9:27 – in the time Neh 9:28 – many times Job 11:6 – God exacteth Psa 78:38 – But he Psa 79:8 – we are Psa 107:11 – Because Psa 116:6 – I was Psa 136:23 – remembered Isa 26:10 – favour Lam 3:32 – General Dan 9:9 – though Hos 3:1 – according Hos 7:15 – I have Hos 11:6 – because
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 106:43-46. Many times did he deliver them This seems to refer to the times of the judges; when God, many times, raised up deliverers, and wrought deliverances for them; and yet they relapsed to idolatry. They provoked him with their counsel By forsaking Gods counsel, and the way which he had appointed, and following after their own evil inclinations. Nevertheless, he regarded their affliction Yet such was his tender compassion toward them, he did not absolutely refuse to help even these base revolters. When he heard their cry When, in their distress, they made supplication unto him, and promised amendment. And he remembered his covenant The covenant made with their forefathers, in consideration of which, notwithstanding their horrible violation of it, he frequently and graciously delivered them. And repented, &c. Changed his course in dealing with them, as penitent persons usually do. He made them to be pitied of those that carried them captives By changing their opinions of them, and so inclining their hearts toward them, that they did not endeavour to effect their total extirpation.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
106:43 Many {y} times did he deliver them; but they provoked [him] with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
(y) The prophet shows that neither by menace nor promise we can come to God, unless we are altogether newly reformed, and his mercy covers and hides our malice.