“They quickly forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel” (v.13). In this verse, the psalmist points to the nation of Israel’s tendency to lose sight of God’s mighty deeds. After miraculous acts of deliverance during the Exodus, the people swiftly stopped remembering all that God had done in rescuing them from slavery around 1446 BC. When Moses led them through the wilderness, this short memory often resulted in rebellion and distrust. The phrase “They quickly forgot His works” (v.13) specifically underscores the speed at which the Israelites moved from experiencing God’s power to ignoring it.
The psalmist also laments that “They did not wait for His counsel” (v.13), highlighting the people’s impatience and impulsiveness. Rather than seeking God’s plan and timing, they chose their own path, and this disobedience frequently led to dire consequences. Historically, this theme is visible in the Israelites’ journey through the Sinai Peninsula—a region of rugged terrain southwest of the modern-day country of Israel—where episodes of complaining and doubt recurred. Their unwillingness to wait for God’s guidance contrasts sharply with examples of faithful figures who patiently depended on the Lord in the history of Israel’s monarchy and beyond.
In a broader biblical context, this moment reminds believers of the need for steadfast faith and reliance on God’s instructions. The people’s forgetfulness points forward to the New Testament, where Jesus instructs His followers to remember and trust His words, as seen in passages where disciples are urged to remain steadfast in prayer and obedience. This verse, therefore, calls readers today to recall God’s faithfulness and to patiently seek His leading rather than wandering after their own desires.
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Psalms 106:13 meaning
“They quickly forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel” (v.13). In this verse, the psalmist points to the nation of Israel’s tendency to lose sight of God’s mighty deeds. After miraculous acts of deliverance during the Exodus, the people swiftly stopped remembering all that God had done in rescuing them from slavery around 1446 BC. When Moses led them through the wilderness, this short memory often resulted in rebellion and distrust. The phrase “They quickly forgot His works” (v.13) specifically underscores the speed at which the Israelites moved from experiencing God’s power to ignoring it.
The psalmist also laments that “They did not wait for His counsel” (v.13), highlighting the people’s impatience and impulsiveness. Rather than seeking God’s plan and timing, they chose their own path, and this disobedience frequently led to dire consequences. Historically, this theme is visible in the Israelites’ journey through the Sinai Peninsula—a region of rugged terrain southwest of the modern-day country of Israel—where episodes of complaining and doubt recurred. Their unwillingness to wait for God’s guidance contrasts sharply with examples of faithful figures who patiently depended on the Lord in the history of Israel’s monarchy and beyond.
In a broader biblical context, this moment reminds believers of the need for steadfast faith and reliance on God’s instructions. The people’s forgetfulness points forward to the New Testament, where Jesus instructs His followers to remember and trust His words, as seen in passages where disciples are urged to remain steadfast in prayer and obedience. This verse, therefore, calls readers today to recall God’s faithfulness and to patiently seek His leading rather than wandering after their own desires.