What does Psalms 106:34 mean?

They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: Psalms 106:34

Explanation

Psalms 106:34 discusses a failure of the Israelites to obey God’s command to utterly destroy the pagan nations upon entering the Promised Land. This verse is a reflection on Israel’s disobedience and its consequences. The “nations” referred to are the inhabitants of Canaan, whom the Israelites were commanded to conquer and dispossess in order to purify the land from idolatry and immorality. The verse suggests that Israel’s incomplete obedience to God’s commands led to them being influenced by the very cultures and practices they were meant to eliminate, thereby failing to maintain their distinctiveness as God’s chosen people.

Historical Context

The historical context of Psalm 106 is a retrospective account of the history of the Hebrew people, detailing their repeated failures to meet God’s expectations and yet his ongoing faithfulness to them. This specific verse refers to the time of the conquest of Canaan, as described in the books of Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua, when the Israelites had left Egypt and were instructed to take possession of the land that God had promised to their ancestors.

Theological Insights

From a theological point of view, Psalm 106:34 underscores the seriousness of disobedience to God and its impact on the spiritual health of a community. The Israelites’ inability to follow through with God’s command can be seen as a symbol of human weakness and the propensity to be led astray. The verse could also reflect on the importance of separation from pagan influences and the need to uphold God’s standards without compromise.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied in daily life as a caution against the dangers of compromising one’s beliefs and values. It highlights the importance of obedience to what one discerns as divine guidance and the risks associated with failing to remove negative influences that could lead to moral and spiritual degradation.

Cross-References

• Deuteronomy 7:2: “And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them.”
• Judges 2:2: “And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?”
• Joshua 23:13: “Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.”

Language Study

In the original Hebrew, key words from this verse include:

• “Lo” (לֹא) – meaning “not.”
• “Hishmidu” (הִשְׁמִידוּ) – derived from “shamad” (שָׁמַד), meaning “to destroy,” “demolish,” or “annihilate.”
• “Goyim” (גּוֹיִם) – often translated as “nations” or “peoples,” which refers to the non-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan.

Understanding these words in their original context highlights the Israelites’ lack of total destruction of the nations as commanded.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparatively, the concept of a chosen people with a divine mandate to dispossess and destroy other groups is not unique to Judaism. Many ancient Near Eastern cultures had myths of gods instructing kings to wage wars and extend their territories as a divine right or mission.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, the historical accuracy of the conquest of Canaan as described in biblical texts is a topic of debate among archaeologists and historians. Some suggest that the process was gradual rather than a series of swift military campaigns. Such discussions do not necessarily affirm or refute the theological or moral messages of the text but offer context for understanding its historical claims.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of Psalm 106:34. Some focus on the verse as an illustration of Israel’s pattern of disobedience, while others view it as highlighting God’s mercy despite human failings. Commentators like Matthew Henry have pointed out that this disobedience led to the Israelites’ eventual downfall, as they assimilated pagan practices rather than following God’s laws.