Psalms 106:43

Many times did he deliver them ,.... By means of the judges, Othniel, Ehud, Barak, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson, and others.

But they provoked him with their counsel ; in asking a king, whom he gave in his anger, and took away in his wrath, Hosea 13:11 , and with their idolatries which they devised, setting up the calves at Dan and Bethel; and by taking counsel of others, and not of the Lord; seeking for help from the Assyrians and Egyptians, and trusting in them, Isaiah 30:1 , all which was very provoking, and showed great ingratitude, after so many deliverances: or, "though they provoked him with their counsels" F2 וחמה "quamvis ipsi", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. ; with their inventions, as in Psalm 106:29 , yet such were his grace and goodness, that he frequently wrought salvation for them.

And were brought low for their iniquity : or "when they were weakened", or "impoverished by their iniquity" F3 וימכו "et attenuati essent", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so Cocceius, Michaellis, Gejerus; "et in paupertatem devenerunt per suam iniquitatem", Tigurine version. so that they could not help themselves; as they were particularly by the Midianites, Judges 6:1 . Unless this should rather refer to some later times, as the times of Ahaz, when Judah was brought low for their transgressions, 2 Chronicles 28:19 as also the time of the Babylonish captivity. Sin is of a weakening and impoverishing nature; it has weakened all mankind, and took from them their moral strength to do good; and has brought them to poverty and want; to be beggars an the dunghill; to a pit wherein is no water; and left them in a hopeless and helpless condition: yea, it brings the people of God oftentimes after conversion into a low estate, when God hides his face because of it; temptations are strong, grace is weak, and they become lukewarm and indifferent to spiritual things.