Psalm 106:13

Modern

Yet they soon forgot His works and failed to wait for His counsel.

Traditional

They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:

Literal

They were quick to forget His works; they have not wait for His counsel;

Latin

Cito fecerunt; obliti sunt operum ejus: et non sustinuerunt consilium ejus.

Hebrew

English

Yet they soon forgot His works and failed to wait for His counsel.

they … failed to wait: God’s impatient people did not trust him to work according to his will (for example, see Exodus 15:24; 16:2–3; 17:1–3; Numbers 14:26–45; 21:4–9).

The community joins together to confess their sins and their ancestors’ many acts of unbelief.

The Israelite community in exile confessed the Lord’s goodness and justice and their own past sins. From their humble state in exile, they asked for redemption and restoration. They hoped to be gathered back from all the places the Lord had scattered them in his anger.
The psalm ends with a memory of the Lord’s past mercy and hope for renewed mercy (Psalm 106:44–48). Israel failed, but the Lord remains constant.
Verses 1, 47–48 (along with Psalms 96; 105:1–15) are included in David’s song of praise recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:1–43.

Theme notes and profiles

Psalm 78:11
They forgot what He had done, the wonders He had shown them.
Exodus 15:24
So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”
Exodus 16:2
And there in the desert the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
Isaiah 48:17–18
Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for your benefit, who directs you in the way you should go.
Psalm 107:11
…because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.
Proverbs 1:25
…because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction,
Exodus 17:2
So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?”
Proverbs 1:30
They accepted none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof.
Exodus 17:7
He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”
Exodus 15:17
You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of Your inheritance—the place, O LORD, You have prepared for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, Your hands have established.