Psalms 106:43
Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
Psalms 106:43
Verse 43 captures the repeated pattern: “Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.” The psalmist is blunt about human stubbornness and God’s faithfulness. God repeatedly rescues, yet the people’s own choices—“their counsel”—undercut the deliverance, leading to humiliation and hardship. The word “counsel” points to the people’s strategic thinking that disregards divine wisdom—crafting plans in opposition to God’s will. This tension between divine action and human initiative is a central tension in biblical history: God’s initiative to save meets humanity’s persistent self-reliance.
Historically, this verse aligns with cycles of salvation and relapse in the wilderness and later in the community’s experience in the land, when superficial religiosity masked deeper disobedience.
Theologically, this verse emphasizes mercy and patience. God’s delivering acts reveal steadfast love even when faith is imperfect. The consequence of “being brought low” serves as a mercy-laden discipline that aims to reorient the people back to covenant faithfulness. It also highlights the seriousness of human choices: even repeated deliverances do not guarantee lasting obedience unless the heart is changed. The verse thus points forward to the need for a deeper, internal transformation that would ultimately be realized in the coming Messiah and the new covenant.
For readers, the verse invites self-examination: where do you leverage clever plans that exclude God’s wisdom? When God delivers, do you credit Him or your own “counsel”? Practical steps: after a setback, write down what you learned about trusting God and where you relied on yourself. Seek corrective actions—repentance, renewed prayer, accountability, and Scripture-guided decision-making. The takeaway is not to fear mistakes but to let deliverance become a turning point toward humility and obedience. Use the pattern of “deliverance, counsel, humbling” as a cycle: celebrate relief, revisit choices, align with God’s will, and anticipate future mercy.
Cross-References: Psalm 78:10-11; Jeremiah 7:23-26; Hosea 6:1-3; Psalm 106:13