What does Psalms 106:13 mean?

They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: Psalms 106:13

Explanation

The verse “They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:” from Psalms 106:13 focuses on the forgetfulness and impatience of the Israelites regarding God’s past miracles and guidance. The verse points out that the people quickly forgot the wondrous deeds that God had performed for them and did not remain patient or attentive enough to seek and follow His counsel. The phrase emphasizes the Israelites’ tendency to overlook the blessings and the divine interventions they had previously experienced, and their failure to trust in God’s plan, which could have led them to greater wisdom and prosperity.

Historical Context

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm that recounts the various deeds of God in Israel’s history, frequently pointing out the people’s rebellion and ingratitude, despite God’s continual mercy and faithfulness. This particular verse is believed to refer to the period following the Exodus when the Israelites were journeying through the desert towards the Promised Land. The historical setting involves the numerous times the Israelites witnessed God’s powerful acts, like the parting of the Red Sea, and yet subsequently failed to remember those miracles and act according to God’s guidance.

Theological Insights

Within Christian and Jewish theological perspectives, Psalm 106:13 serves as a reminder of human fallibility and the tendency to forget God’s grace. Theologically, it is a reflection on the importance of remembrance and obedience to God. It illustrates the concept of sin as not just committing wrong acts, but also failing to recognize and rely on God’s sovereignty and guidance. This verse underlines the need for continual faith and trust in God, especially after witnessing His works.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, this verse can be a call to mindfulness and gratitude in the lives of believers. It encourages individuals to remember the blessings they have received and to seek and heed divine guidance in their decision-making processes. It is a reminder to not only celebrate miraculous events but also to live in a state of constant reliance upon and communication with the divine, resisting the temptation to become spiritually complacent or forgetful.

Cross-References

• Deuteronomy 4:9: “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;”
• Exodus 32:8: “They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.”
• Judges 8:34: “And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:”

Language Study

The key words in the original Hebrew of this verse are מַהֵר (maher), translated as “soon” or “quickly”, and שָׁכַח (shakach), meaning “forgot” or “to forget”. These words emphasize the swiftness with which the Israelites forgot the works of God. The term עֵצָה (etzah), meaning “counsel” or “advice”, points to divine guidance that one should seek and follow. The language underscores the contrast between God’s enduring deeds and the fleeting memory and patience of the Israelites.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The theme of forgetting divine benevolence and failing to follow gods’ guidance is not unique to the Hebrew Bible but appears in various ancient cultures. For instance, in Greek mythology, mortals often forget favors or warnings from the gods due to hubris or distraction, resulting in tragedy. In many religious traditions, there’s a common admonition to remember and respect the divine, and failure to do so typically leads to some form of downfall.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the act of forgetting significant events or advice can be seen through the lens of psychology. Memory recollection is susceptible to various influences, and stress or cognitive overload can cause people to forget important information. The psychological concept of cognitive dissonance might also explain why people forget or disregard guidance that doesn’t align with their immediate desires or beliefs.

Commentaries

Scholarly commentary on Psalm 106:13 often focuses on Israel’s pattern of forgetting and rebellion as a central theme in the psalm. Commentators like Matthew Henry point out that this forgetfulness is a moral failing—an active choice rather than passive oblivion. The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary notes that the verse characterizes the Israelites’ fickleness and ingratitude. Most commentators agree that this verse serves as a cautionary reminder of the consequences of forgetting God’s deeds and the importance of heeding divine guidance.