Psalms 106:19-43

Psalms 106:19-43 The Message (MSG)

They cast in metal a bull calf at Horeb and worshiped the statue they’d made. They traded the Glory for a cheap piece of sculpture—a grass-chewing bull! They forgot God, their very own Savior, who turned things around in Egypt, Who created a world of wonders in the Land of Ham, who gave that stunning performance at the Red Sea. Fed up, God decided to get rid of them— and except for Moses, his chosen, he would have. But Moses stood in the gap and deflected God’s anger, prevented it from destroying them utterly. They went on to reject the Blessed Land, didn’t believe a word of what God promised. They found fault with the life they had and turned a deaf ear to GOD’s voice. Exasperated, God swore that he’d lay them low in the desert, Scattering their children here and there, strewing them all over the earth. Then they linked up with Baal Peor, attending funeral banquets and eating idol food. That made God so angry that a plague spread through their ranks; Phinehas stood up and pled their case and the plague was stopped. This was counted to his credit; his descendants will never forget it. They angered God again at Meribah Springs; this time Moses got mixed up in their evil; Because they defied GOD yet again, Moses exploded and lost his temper. They didn’t wipe out those godless cultures as ordered by GOD; Instead they intermarried with the heathen, and in time became just like them. They worshiped their idols, were caught in the trap of idols. They sacrificed their sons and daughters at the altars of demon gods. They slit the throats of their babies, murdered their infant girls and boys. They offered their babies to Canaan’s gods; the blood of their babies stained the land. Their way of life reeked; they lived like prostitutes. And GOD was furious—a wildfire anger; he couldn’t stand even to look at his people. He turned them over to the heathen so that the people who hated them ruled them. Their enemies made life hard for them; they were tyrannized under that rule. Over and over God rescued them, but they never learned— until finally their sins destroyed them.

Psalms 106:19-43 King James Version (KJV)

They made a calf in Horeb, And worshipped the molten image. Thus they changed their glory Into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. They forgat God their saviour, Which had done great things in Egypt; Wondrous works in the land of Ham, And terrible things by the Red sea. Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. Yea, they despised the pleasant land, They believed not his word: But murmured in their tents, And hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD. Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, To overthrow them in the wilderness: To overthrow their seed also among the nations, And to scatter them in the lands. They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, And ate the sacrifices of the dead. Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: And the plague brake in upon them. Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: And so the plague was stayed. And that was counted unto him for righteousness Unto all generations for evermore. They angered him also at the waters of strife, So that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: Because they provoked his spirit, So that he spake unadvisedly with his lips. They did not destroy the nations, Concerning whom the LORD commanded them: But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. And they served their idols: Which were a snare unto them. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, And shed innocent blood, Even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, Whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: And the land was polluted with blood. Thus were they defiled with their own works, And went a whoring with their own inventions. Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, Insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; And they that hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were brought into subjection under their hand. Many times did he deliver them; But they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.

Psalms 106:19-43 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)

They made a calf in Horeb And worshiped a molten image. Thus they exchanged their glory For the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God their Savior, Who had done great things in Egypt, Wonders in the land of Ham And awesome things by the Red Sea. Therefore He said that He would destroy them, Had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him, To turn away His wrath from destroying them. Then they despised the pleasant land; They did not believe in His word, But grumbled in their tents; They did not listen to the voice of the LORD. Therefore He swore to them That He would cast them down in the wilderness, And that He would cast their seed among the nations And scatter them in the lands. They joined themselves also to Baal-peor, And ate sacrifices offered to the dead. Thus they provoked Him to anger with their deeds, And the plague broke out among them. Then Phinehas stood up and interposed, And so the plague was stayed. And it was reckoned to him for righteousness, To all generations forever. They also provoked Him to wrath at the waters of Meribah, So that it went hard with Moses on their account; Because they were rebellious against His Spirit, He spoke rashly with his lips. They did not destroy the peoples, As the LORD commanded them, But they mingled with the nations And learned their practices, And served their idols, Which became a snare to them. They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons, And shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and their daughters, Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with the blood. Thus they became unclean in their practices, And played the harlot in their deeds. Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against His people And He abhorred His inheritance. Then He gave them into the hand of the nations, And those who hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were subdued under their power. Many times He would deliver them; They, however, were rebellious in their counsel, And so sank down in their iniquity.

Psalms 106:19-43 New Century Version (NCV)

The people made a gold calf at Mount Sinai and worshiped a metal statue. They exchanged their glorious God for a statue of a bull that eats grass. They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt, who had done miracles in Egypt and amazing things by the Red Sea. So God said he would destroy them. But Moses, his chosen one, stood before him and stopped God’s anger from destroying them. Then they refused to go into the beautiful land of Canaan; they did not believe what God promised. They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the LORD. So he swore to them that they would die in the desert. He said their children would be killed by other nations and that they would be scattered among other countries. They joined in worshiping Baal at Peor and ate meat that had been sacrificed to lifeless statues. They made the LORD angry by what they did, so many people became sick with a terrible disease. But Phinehas prayed to the LORD, and the disease stopped. Phinehas did what was right, and it will be remembered from now on. The people also made the LORD angry at Meribah, and Moses was in trouble because of them. The people turned against the Spirit of God, so Moses spoke without stopping to think. The people did not destroy the other nations as the LORD had told them to do. Instead, they mixed with the other nations and learned their customs. They worshiped other nations’ idols and were trapped by them. They even killed their sons and daughters as sacrifices to demons. They killed innocent people, their own sons and daughters, as sacrifices to the idols of Canaan. So the land was made unholy by their blood. The people became unholy by their sins; they were unfaithful to God in what they did. So the LORD became angry with his people and hated his own children. He handed them over to other nations and let their enemies rule over them. Their enemies were cruel to them and kept them under their power. The LORD saved his people many times, but they continued to turn against him. So they became even more wicked.

Psalms 106:19-43 American Standard Version (ASV)

They made a calf in Horeb, And worshipped a molten image. Thus they changed their glory For the likeness of an ox that eateth grass. They forgat God their Saviour, Who had done great things in Egypt, Wondrous works in the land of Ham, And terrible things by the Red Sea. Therefore he said that he would destroy them, Had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. Yea, they despised the pleasant land, They believed not his word, But murmured in their tents, And hearkened not unto the voice of Jehovah. Therefore he sware unto them, That he would overthrow them in the wilderness, And that he would overthrow their seed among the nations, And scatter them in the lands. They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, And ate the sacrifices of the dead. Thus they provoked him to anger with their doings; And the plague brake in upon them. Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment; And so the plague was stayed. And that was reckoned unto him for righteousness, Unto all generations for evermore. They angered him also at the waters of Meribah, So that it went ill with Moses for their sakes; Because they were rebellious against his spirit, And he spake unadvisedly with his lips. They did not destroy the peoples, As Jehovah commanded them, But mingled themselves with the nations, And learned their works, And served their idols, Which became a snare unto them. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto demons, And shed innocent blood, Even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, Whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with blood. Thus were they defiled with their works, And played the harlot in their doings. Therefore was the wrath of Jehovah kindled against his people, And he abhorred his inheritance. And he gave them into the hand of the nations; And they that hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were brought into subjection under their hand. Many times did he deliver them; But they were rebellious in their counsel, And were brought low in their iniquity.

Psalms 106:19-43 New International Version (NIV)

At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped an idol cast from metal. They exchanged their glorious God for an image of a bull, which eats grass. They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt, miracles in the land of Ham and awesome deeds by the Red Sea. So he said he would destroy them— had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them. Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe his promise. They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the LORD. So he swore to them with uplifted hand that he would make them fall in the wilderness, make their descendants fall among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands. They yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods; they aroused the LORD’s anger by their wicked deeds, and a plague broke out among them. But Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was checked. This was credited to him as righteousness for endless generations to come. By the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD, and trouble came to Moses because of them; for they rebelled against the Spirit of God, and rash words came from Moses’ lips. They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them, but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to false gods. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood. They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds they prostituted themselves. Therefore the LORD was angry with his people and abhorred his inheritance. He gave them into the hands of the nations, and their foes ruled over them. Their enemies oppressed them and subjected them to their power. Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin.

Psalms 106:19-43 New King James Version (NKJV)

They made a calf in Horeb, And worshiped the molded image. Thus they changed their glory Into the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God their Savior, Who had done great things in Egypt, Wondrous works in the land of Ham, Awesome things by the Red Sea. Therefore He said that He would destroy them, Had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach, To turn away His wrath, lest He destroy them. Then they despised the pleasant land; They did not believe His word, But complained in their tents, And did not heed the voice of the LORD. Therefore He raised His hand in an oath against them, To overthrow them in the wilderness, To overthrow their descendants among the nations, And to scatter them in the lands. They joined themselves also to Baal of Peor, And ate sacrifices made to the dead. Thus they provoked Him to anger with their deeds, And the plague broke out among them. Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, And the plague was stopped. And that was accounted to him for righteousness To all generations forevermore. They angered Him also at the waters of strife, So that it went ill with Moses on account of them; Because they rebelled against His Spirit, So that he spoke rashly with his lips. They did not destroy the peoples, Concerning whom the LORD had commanded them, But they mingled with the Gentiles And learned their works; They served their idols, Which became a snare to them. They even sacrificed their sons And their daughters to demons, And shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and daughters, Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with blood. Thus they were defiled by their own works, And played the harlot by their own deeds. Therefore the wrath of the LORD was kindled against His people, So that He abhorred His own inheritance. And He gave them into the hand of the Gentiles, And those who hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were brought into subjection under their hand. Many times He delivered them; But they rebelled in their counsel, And were brought low for their iniquity.

Psalms 106:19-43 Amplified Bible (AMP)

They made a calf in Horeb (Sinai) And worshiped a cast image. Thus they exchanged [the true God who was] their glory For the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God their Savior, Who had done such great things in Egypt, Wonders in the land of Ham, Awesome things at the Red Sea. Therefore He said He would destroy them, [And He would have done so] had not Moses, His chosen one, stepped into the gap before Him, To turn away His wrath from destroying them. Then they despised the pleasant land [of Canaan]; They did not believe in His word nor rely on it, But they sulked and complained in their tents; They did not listen to the voice of the LORD. Therefore He lifted up His hand [swearing] to them, That He would cause them to fall in the wilderness, And that He would cast out their descendants among the nations And scatter them in the lands [of the earth]. They joined themselves also to [the idol] Baal of Peor, And ate sacrifices offered to the dead. Thus they provoked Him to anger with their practices, And a plague broke out among them. Then Phinehas [the priest] stood up and interceded, And so the plague was halted. And that was credited to him for righteousness, To all generations forever. They provoked Him to anger at the waters of Meribah, So that it went hard with Moses on their account; Because they were rebellious against His Spirit, Moses spoke recklessly with his lips. They did not destroy the [pagan] peoples [in Canaan], As the LORD commanded them, But they mingled with the [idolatrous] nations And learned their ways, And served their idols, Which became a [dreadful] snare to them. They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons And shed innocent blood, Even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with their blood. In this way they became unclean in their practices; They played the prostitute in their own deeds [by giving their worship, which belongs to God alone, to other “gods”]. Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against His people And He detested His own inheritance. He gave them into the hands of the nations, And those who hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were subdued under the [powerful] hand of their enemies. Many times He rescued them; But they were rebellious in their counsel, And sank down in their wickedness.

Psalms 106:19-43 New Living Translation (NLT)

The people made a calf at Mount Sinai; they bowed before an image made of gold. They traded their glorious God for a statue of a grass-eating bull. They forgot God, their savior, who had done such great things in Egypt— such wonderful things in the land of Ham, such awesome deeds at the Red Sea. So he declared he would destroy them. But Moses, his chosen one, stepped between the LORD and the people. He begged him to turn from his anger and not destroy them. The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn’t believe his promise to care for them. Instead, they grumbled in their tents and refused to obey the LORD. Therefore, he solemnly swore that he would kill them in the wilderness, that he would scatter their descendants among the nations, exiling them to distant lands. Then our ancestors joined in the worship of Baal at Peor; they even ate sacrifices offered to the dead! They angered the LORD with all these things, so a plague broke out among them. But Phinehas had the courage to intervene, and the plague was stopped. So he has been regarded as a righteous man ever since that time. At Meribah, too, they angered the LORD, causing Moses serious trouble. They made Moses angry, and he spoke foolishly. Israel failed to destroy the nations in the land, as the LORD had commanded them. Instead, they mingled among the pagans and adopted their evil customs. They worshiped their idols, which led to their downfall. They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters. By sacrificing them to the idols of Canaan, they polluted the land with murder. They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the LORD’s sight. That is why the LORD’s anger burned against his people, and he abhorred his own special possession. He handed them over to pagan nations, and they were ruled by those who hated them. Their enemies crushed them and brought them under their cruel power. Again and again he rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin.

Psalms 106:19-43 The Passion Translation (TPT)

They made an idol of a calf at Sinai and bowed to worship their man-made statue. They preferred the image of a grass-eating ox to the presence of the glory-filled God. They totally forgot it was you who saved them by the wonders and awesome miracles you worked in Egypt. So you decided to destroy them. But Moses, your chosen leader, stood in the gap between you and the people and made intercession on their behalf to turn away your wrath from killing them all. Yet they still didn’t believe your words and they despised the land of delight you gave to them. They grumbled and found fault with everything and closed their hearts to your voice. So you solemnly swore to them that they would all die in the desert. And you scattered their children to distant lands to die as exiles. Then our fathers joined the worshipers of the false god named “Lord of the Pit.” They even ate the sacrifices offered to the dead! All they did made you burn with anger. It made you so angry that a plague broke out among them! It continued until Phineas intervened and executed the guilty for causing judgment to fall upon them. Because of this deed of righteousness Phineas will be remembered forever. Your people also provoked you to wrath at the stream called Strife. This is where Moses got into serious trouble! Because the people were rebellious against you, Moses exploded in anger and spoke to them out of his bitterness. Neither did our fathers destroy the enemies in the land, as you had commanded them. But they mingled themselves with their enemies and learned to copy their works of darkness. They began to serve their gods and bow before their idols. All of this led them away from you and brought about their downfall. They even sacrificed their little children to the demon spirits, shedding the innocent blood of their sons and daughters. These dark practices greatly defiled the land and their own souls, through the murder and bloodshed of their own babies! Their sins made them spiritual adulterers before you. This is why you were furious. As your anger burned hot against them, you couldn’t even stand to look at your very own people any longer! So you turned them over to the crushing hands of other nations, and those who hated them became tyrants over them. Oppressive enemies subdued them, ruling over them with their tyranny. Many times you would have come to rescue them, but they continued in their rebellious ways, choosing to ignore your warnings. Then they sank lower and lower, destroyed by their depravity.

Psalms 106:19-43 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)

They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a metal image. They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea. Therefore he said he would destroy them— had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them. Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in his promise. They murmured in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the LORD. Therefore he raised his hand and swore to them that he would make them fall in the wilderness, and would make their offspring fall among the nations, scattering them among the lands. Then they yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor, and ate sacrifices offered to the dead; they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them. Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was stayed. And that was counted to him as righteousness from generation to generation forever. They angered him at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account, for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips. They did not destroy the peoples, as the LORD commanded them, but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did. They served their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood. Thus they became unclean by their acts, and played the whore in their deeds. Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against his people, and he abhorred his heritage; he gave them into the hand of the nations, so that those who hated them ruled over them. Their enemies oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their power. Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity.