What does Psalm 106:24 mean?
ESV: Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in his promise.
NIV: Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe his promise.
NASB: Then they rejected the pleasant land; They did not believe His word,
CSB: They despised the pleasant land and did not believe his promise.
NLT: The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn’t believe his promise to care for them.
KJV: Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:
NKJV: Then they despised the pleasant land; They did not believe His word,
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Psalm 106:24–27 describes how Israel stubbornly refused to enter Canaan as commanded by God (Numbers 14:1–4). For that, God condemned an entire generation to wandering before their children could enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:30–33). Yet He did not destroy the nation completely.
Chapter Summary:
The psalmist calls on the people to worship God because of His loyal, merciful love for the nation of Israel. Evidence of this love is given in the form of Israel's many national sins. These included many acts of faithlessness during the exodus from Egypt, and cycles of idolatry during the conquest of Canaan. Even so, the Lord preserved the nation rather than destroying it. The song closes with another prayer for rescue and a blessing directed at God.
Chapter Context:
This is the last entry in what is often called "Book Four" of the psalms (Psalms 90—106). The psalm focuses on confession and humility; many reminders are given about Israel's failures compared to God's faithfulness. Notable mentions are the idol at Horeb (Exodus 32), the first arrival at Canaan (Numbers 14), and the era of Israel's judges (Judges 2:16–19). Despite these sins, the Lord maintained Israel's existence, even as He brought them punishment. Similar confessions appear in Isaiah 63, Ezekiel 20, and Nehemiah 9.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
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