Psalms 106:13

They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: -Three transgressions of Israel in the wilderness are detailed, rising in gradation of moral guilt, without respect to time: (1) Their unbelieving impatience in demanding flesh (Psalms 106:13); (2) Their joining Dathan and Abiram in the envious attack on Moses and Aaron, the consecrated servants of Yahweh (Psalms 106:16); (3) Their direct affront to God Himself in forming a golden calf for worship. The sins of Israel in the wilderness are dwelt on at greatest length, because it was by them that the then existing generation forfeited Canaan, implying to their posterity, now captive in Babylon, that their exclusion from Canaan was due to the same cause. Verse 13....

In order to point out the inconstancy of the people, he says, _they made haste _Some explain this in the following manner, namely, that after they had set out on their journey, they hastened to come to the place called Marah. This, however, is to give a very tame representation of the emphatic style in which the prophet speaks, when severely reprehending their hasty and headlong departure from the way, in that they believed only for a very short time, and speedily forgot God’s works; for they had only journeyed three days from their passage through the sea till they came to Marah, and yet they began to murmur against God, because they could not procure pleasant waters. (245) Meantime, we must here observe what we have seen elsewhere, that the alone cause why men are so ungrateful towards God, is their despising of his benefits. Were the remembrance of these to take fast hold of our heart...

13-33 Those that will not wait for God's counsel, shall justly be given up to their own hearts' lusts, to walk in their own counsels. An undue desire, even for lawful things, becomes sinful. God showed his displeasure for this. He filled them with uneasiness of mind, terror of conscience, and self-reproach. Many that fare deliciously every day, and whose bodies are healthful, have leanness in their souls: no love to God, no thankfulness, no appetite for the Bread of life, and then the soul must be lean. Those wretchedly forget themselves, that feast their bodies and starve their souls. Even the true believer will see abundant cause to say, It is of the Lord's mercies that I am not consumed. Often have we set up idols in our hearts, cleaved to some forbidden object; so that if a greater than Moses had not stood to turn away the anger of the Lord, we should have been destroyed. If God dea...

Verse Psalms 106:13. _THEY SOON FORGAT HIS WORKS_] Three days afterwards, at the waters of Marah, Exodus 15:24. _THEY WAITED NOT FOR HIS COUNSEL_] They were impatient, and would not wait till God should in his own way fulfil his own designs....

THEY SOON FORGAT HIS WORKS - On Psalms 106:13, see the notes at Psalms 78:17. Literally, here, as in the margin, “They made haste, they forgat.” They did it soon; did it without any delay. It was as if they were impatient to have it done. THEY WAITED NOT FOR HIS COUNSEL - For the fulfillment of his promise; or for his command in regard to their future conduct. They did not look to him, but they depended on themselves, and followed their own desires and wishes....

EXPOSITION This is the first of the strictly "Hallelujah psalms"—_i.e._ of the psalms beginning with the phrase "hallelujah"—which are Psalms 106:1, Psalms 111:1, Psalms 112:1, Psalms 113:1, Psalms 135:1, Psalms 146:1, Psalms 147:1, Psalms 148:1,...

THEY SOON FORGAT HIS WORKS,.... The miracles he wrought in Egypt, the deliverance of them from thence with a mighty hand and outstretched arm, and the leading them through the Red sea as on dry land, and destroying all their enemies; all these they soon forgot, for they had gone but three days' journey into the wilderness after this, ere they began to murmur and show distrust of the power and providence of God, Exodus 15:22, it is in the Hebrew text, "they made haste, they forgat his works" o; as soon as they were out of Egypt, they were for entering into the land of Canaan at once, and were much displeased that they were not immediately led into it. THEY WAITED NOT FOR HIS COUNSEL; they did not ask counsel of God, though it belongs to him, and he is wonderful in it, and does all things after the counsel of his own will; nor would they take it when given by Moses and Joshu

This Psalm relates the story of God's mercy to Israel, of the people's provocation of Jehovah, and of his great patience with them. It commences with an exhortation to praise the Lord. Psalms 106:1. _Praise ye the LORD._ Or, «Hallelujah.» I cannot help remarking here that this is one of the most sacred words in the whole Bible, and it ought always to be pronounced with the utmost reverence. I sometimes feel my blood chill when I hear of «hallelujah lasses» and «hallelujah bonnets.» If those who use such expressions rightly understood the meaning of the word, they would not thus take the name of the Lord in vain? Psalms 106:1. _O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever._ As long as you and I are sinners, this will be on

Psalms 105 AND 106 The Memories of the Past The last two Psalms of this fourth section review the entire history of Israel up to the time of the judges. It is the story of God's faithfulness and mercy, and the story of their shameful failure and apostasy. He is ever mindful of His covenant, and that covenant is mentioned first, as the foundation of all. Then how He watched over them. The story of Joseph is mentioned, followed by the rehearsal of the deliverance out of Egypt. Psalms 106:1 is couched in words of confession, showing their failure all the way, sinning, forgetting, lusting, unbelieving and disobedient. Only infinite mercy and grace could save such a people. Prophetically these Psalms express the repentance and national confession of Israel, when the Lord has saved them. Then with a new

CVI. ISRAEL'S SIN. Psalms 106:1. Introduction. Praise to Yahweh for His power and greatness. The writer's desire to share in Israel's joy. PSALMS 106:3. HE THAT DOETH: read they that do. Psalms 106:5. read throughout we for I. PSALMS 106:6. Israel's constant relapse into sin. PSALMS 106:7_ c._ Read, They were rebellious against the Most High at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10)....