Psalms 106:13 Meaning: Forgetting and Hurrying
They soon forgot his works. They didn’t wait for his counsel,
They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:
They soon forgat his works; They waited not for his counsel,
They have hasted--forgotten His works, They have not waited for His counsel.
They soon forgot his works; they waited not for his counsel:
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 106:13 shows how quickly Israel forgot God's miracles and refused to wait for His plan.
Context
Psalm 106 is a long confession, recounting Israel’s repeated failures after God brought them out of Egypt. The chapter moves from the Red Sea deliverance to the wilderness wanderings. Just before this verse, the people had witnessed the waters part, walked through on dry ground, and watched their enemies drown. They believed and sang (verse 12). Then, almost immediately, everything fell apart. Verse 13 marks the turning point. Forgetfulness and impatience became the root of every rebellion that followed: grumbling for water and food, testing God, idolatry. The psalmist is not pointing a finger from a distance. He includes himself in this story of a people who could not hold on to what God had done.
Key Words
The Hebrew behind “soon forgot” is striking: miharu shakhechu, literally, “they made haste, they forgot.” The first verb carries urgency, almost eagerness. This was not a slow drift. They were in a hurry to forget what God had just done. The word for “forget” (shakhach) can mean to ignore, to cease to care. It is an active turning away, not a passive lapse. The second half of the verse uses a different verb for “waited” (khakhah), which means to wait with firm hope, to long for something. They refused to do that. And “counsel” (etzah) is God’s wise plan, His timing and way of providing. Together, these words paint a picture: we rush to forget, and we refuse to trust that God knows what He is doing.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen this verse as a mirror of the human heart. Matthew Henry (Reformed) observed that Israel “did not wait for God’s time and way of working.” Adam Clarke (Methodist) noted they became impatient a mere three days after the Red Sea, at the waters of Marah. Barnes (Protestant) highlighted the Hebrew idiom “they made haste, they forgot,” suggesting they were in a hurry to abandon faith. Calvin (Reformed) read the whole psalm as a confession, not a complaint, a way for believers to own their own pattern of ingratitude and ask for pardon. The Cambridge Bible (Anglican) connected the verse to specific rebellions in Exodus and Numbers: murmuring for water and food within weeks of deliverance. Though their traditions differ, these voices agree: the speed of forgetting is a danger every generation faces.
A common misunderstanding
Many readers assume that forgetting God’s works is a gradual, passive process, something that just happens over time. But the Hebrew says otherwise. The phrase “they soon forgot” literally reads “they hastened, they forgot.” The forgetting was active and urgent. In fact, they were in a hurry to move on from God’s miracles, eager to get what they wanted next. The verse is not about absent-mindedness; it is about a heart that refuses to pause and remember.
Living This Out
Think of the last time God answered a prayer or came through for you. How long did it take before you were worried about something else? This week, when you catch yourself feeling anxious or impatient, stop and name one thing God has already done. Say it out loud if you can. Then, before making a decision or rushing into action, ask Him for guidance and wait. The waiting is not empty. It is trusting that His counsel is worth more than your hurry.
Main takeaway: Our tendency to forget God’s works and rush ahead without His counsel is the root of much spiritual failure.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Israel saw God do big miracles, but then they forgot very fast. When we remember what God has done for us, it helps us trust Him and wait patiently.
For ages 9, 12
The people of Israel had just seen God split the Red Sea and save them from slavery. But only three days later, they were grumbling because they were thirsty. They forgot the big thing God did, and they didn’t want to wait for His plan. When you remember what God has done for you, answered prayers, help in hard times, even just a good day, it builds trust for the next thing. You can ask God for guidance and wait for His answer.
Questions People Ask
How soon after the Red Sea did Israel forget God's works?
According to several commentators, they forgot within three days. At Marah, they murmured for water (Exodus 15:22-24). The psalmist says they 'made haste to forget', it was almost immediate.
What does 'did not wait for his counsel' mean?
It means they refused to wait for God's plan to unfold in His own time and way. Instead of trusting His provision and guidance, they demanded immediate solutions and followed their own desires.
Why does the Hebrew say 'they made haste, they forgot'?
The verb 'miharu' means they hurried or rushed. This shows that forgetting was not a passive accident but an active, eager turning away. They were in a hurry to move on from God's miracles.
Is this verse only about ancient Israel, or does it apply to us today?
Christians across traditions have read this verse as a confession for all believers. It describes a universal human tendency: after experiencing God's goodness, we easily forget and grow impatient. The psalm invites us to own that pattern and ask for help.
What is 'the counsel of God' in this context?
God's counsel is His wise plan for His people, including how and when He would provide for them in the wilderness. The Hebrew word 'etzah' carries the sense of purpose and advice. They refused to wait for His timing.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study