Psalms 106:22 Meaning: Forgetting the Wonders
wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome things by the Red Sea.
Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.
Wondrous works in the land of Ham, And terrible things by the Red Sea.
Of wonderful things in the land of Ham, Of fearful things by the sea of Suph.
Wondrous works in the land of Ham, terrible things by the Red Sea.
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 106:22 highlights Israel's ingratitude by naming the specific wonders God did in Egypt and at the Red Sea, which they forgot.
Context
Psalm 106 is a long confession of Israel's repeated failures after God rescued them from Egypt. The writer walks through their history, rebellion in the wilderness, worshiping the golden calf, grumbling about food, and he keeps coming back to one root problem: they forgot. Verse 22 sits in the middle of that list. It names the very things God did to save them: wonders in the land of Ham and awesome deeds at the Red Sea. 'Land of Ham' is an old name for Egypt, because Ham's son Mizraim settled there (Psalm 105:23, 27). The Red Sea miracle was the climax of the exodus, when God drowned Pharaoh's army. The psalmist mentions these specific acts to show that Israel's forgetfulness was not vague, they forgot concrete, unforgettable events. That shocking contrast is what makes the confession so powerful.
Key Words
The Hebrew word behind 'wondrous works' is nifla'ot, from the root pala. It means things beyond ordinary human ability, acts that can only be explained by God. The same root appears when the angel tells Samson's parents that his name is 'wonderful' (Judges 13:18). These were not small favors; they were miracles that shattered the laws of nature. Then the psalmist adds nora'ot, 'awesome things,' from the verb yare, to fear. This word carries a sense of dread and holy terror, the kind that made the Egyptians cry out, 'Let us flee from Israel, for Yahweh fights for them' (Exodus 14:25). Together, these two words paint a picture: God did things that were both beautiful and terrifying. The people saw them with their own eyes and then, incredibly, let them fade from memory. That is the weight of the verse.
How Christians Read This Verse
Commentators across traditions agree on the historical reference: 'the land of Ham' means Egypt, named after Ham son of Noah (Clarke, Gill). The rescue at the Red Sea is also plainly understood as the crossing and destruction of Pharaoh's army. The interpretive difference lies in how they read the psalmist's purpose. Calvin sees the whole psalm as a confession meant to obtain pardon, not just a complaint. Matthew Henry emphasizes the depth of ingratitude, having seen such wonders, they still rebelled. The Geneva Bible notes call the works 'fearfull things,' stressing the awe that should have lingered. All point to the same sobering truth: human memory is short, even when God acts in unmistakable power.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume Psalm 106:22 is simply a praise verse celebrating God's power. In fact, the verse sits in a list of sins. The preceding line says 'They forgot God their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt' (v. 21). Verse 22 specifies what they forgot. It is not a standalone hymn; it is evidence for the prosecution. The point is not that God did wonders, but that the people ignored them.
Living This Out
This week, take five minutes to write down one specific way God has helped you recently, a prayer answered, a need met, a moment of peace amid chaos. The Israelites forgot because they let their eyes drift to the next problem. Naming one concrete wonder turns your attention back to what God has already done. It is a small act, but it breaks the pattern of forgetfulness that leads to grumbling. Keep that note where you will see it tomorrow.
Main takeaway: Forgetting God's specific acts of deliverance makes ingratitude inevitable; remembering them keeps gratitude alive.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God did amazing things to save His people from Egypt and at the Red Sea. But the people forgot those miracles and started complaining. We can remember the good things God does for us.
For ages 9, 12
In Psalm 106, the writer lists how the Israelites forgot God's power even after seeing plagues in Egypt and the sea split open. They still grumbled and rebelled. It is easy to forget God's help when a new problem comes. This verse calls us to remember the specific times God came through for us, so we can trust Him again.
Questions People Ask
Why is Egypt called 'the land of Ham' in Psalm 106:22?
Egypt is called the land of Ham because Ham, one of Noah's sons, had a son named Mizraim who settled there (Genesis 10:6). In Hebrew poetry, 'Ham' became a shorthand for Egypt. Other psalms use the same phrase, like Psalm 78:51 and 105:23, 27.
What does 'wondrous works' mean in this verse?
The Hebrew word is nifla'ot, from the root pala, meaning things beyond human power, acts that only God can do. It refers to the plagues in Egypt and the miracles surrounding the exodus. These were not ordinary events; they were supernatural signs meant to display God's power and mercy.
Why does the psalmist mention the Red Sea here?
The Red Sea crossing was the greatest deliverance in Israel's early history. God parted the waters, led His people through on dry ground, and then destroyed the pursuing Egyptian army (Exodus 14). By linking the Red Sea with the land of Ham, the psalmist highlights two peak moments of rescue that the people soon forgot.
Is Psalm 106:22 a verse of praise or confession?
It is part of a confession. The verse lists what the Israelites forgot (v. 21, 22), setting up the admission that they sinned. The psalmist is not celebrating God's power here; he is showing how ungrateful the people were. The whole psalm is a prayer asking for forgiveness based on God's unwavering love.
How can Christians today apply Psalm 106:22?
We also tend to forget God's specific help once a crisis passes. The verse invites us to keep a record of what God has done, answered prayers, provided needs, moments of peace. Writing them down can guard our hearts against grumbling and remind us that the same God who acted before will act again.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study