Psalms 106:7
Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.
Psalms 106:7
Verse 7 states: “Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.” The psalmist laments the faithlessness even after God’s spectacular acts in Egypt. They forgot God’s mercy and failed to trust during the crossing of the Red Sea, provoking God with ingratitude and doubt. The Red Sea story functions as a turning point in Israel’s history: a moment of salvation that requires ongoing trust. The verse emphasizes that spiritual amnesia—forgetting God’s deeds and mercy—leads to dangerous rebellion. It also demonstrates that even in the presence of mighty acts, human hearts can struggle with faith and gratitude.
The verse emphasizes God’s patient mercy in light of human forgetfulness and faltering faith. It reveals the tension between divine action and human forgetfulness, highlighting the need for remembrance, communal teaching, and worship that reinforces God’s deeds. It also points toward the necessity of sanctification: a life shaped by continual acknowledgement of God’s mercy, which counters cynicism and ingratitude.
Practice regular remembrance of God’s mercies: retell stories of provision, celebrate milestones, and teach children about the miraculous acts God has done. In moments of doubt or ingratitude, recount how God has delivered you or your community. Build rituals of gratitude—gratitude journals, family devotions, or church testimonies—that counter spiritual amnesia. When facing trials, recall past mercies to bolster faith and resilience.
Cross-References: Deuteronomy 8:10-18; Psalm 78:11-12; Hebrews 3:12; 2 Peter 1:12-13