Psalms 106:45 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּזְכֹּ֣ר לָהֶ֣ם בְּרִית֑וֹ וַ֝יִּנָּחֵ֗ם כְּרֹ֣ב חֲסָדָֽיו׃
BSAAnd He rememberedzâkar▸ [kept in mind, thought about] His covenantbᵉrîyth [agreement, promise] and relentednâcham▸ [repented, was sorry] by the abundancerôb [multitude, greatness] of His loving devotionchêçêd [kindness, mercies, lovingkindnesses]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּזְכֹּ֣ר | and he remembered | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לָהֶ֣ם | to them | Preposition, suffix |
| בְּרִית֑וֹ | covenant his | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| וַ֝יִּנָּחֵ֗ם | and he relented | Verb, Niphal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| כְּרֹ֣ב | according to [the] greatness of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| חֲסָדָֽיו׃ | covenant loyalti his | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion. |
| KJV | And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies. |
| ASV | And he remembered for them his covenant, And repented according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. |
| YLT | And remembereth for them His covenant, And is comforted, According to the abundance of His kindness. |
| WEB | He remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses. |
| BBE | And kept in mind his agreement with them, and in his great mercy gave them forgiveness. |
Where they part company is נָחַם — see How Translations Differ.
One main verb with two phrases hanging off it, showing a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbזָכַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 106:45
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Faithfulness to His Covenantgenerated
Psalm 106:45 reflects on God's faithfulness to His covenant with His people. The psalmist recounts how God heard their cries and remembered His promises, leading to His compassionate actions. This theme of remembrance is central throughout the Psalms, emphasizing God's unwavering commitment to His people, even in times of distress.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 105:8 | He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— |
| 2 | Leviticus 26:40–42 | But if they will confess their iniquity and that of their fathers in the unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, by which they have also walked in hostility toward Me— |
| 3 | 2 Kings 13:23 | But the LORD was gracious to Israel and had compassion on them, and He turned toward them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And to this day, the LORD has been unwilling to destroy them or cast them from His presence. |
| 4 | Luke 1:71–72 | salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, |
| 5 | Psalm 90:13 | Return, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on Your servants. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 16 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — זָכַר, vai.yiz.Korgenerated
The verb זָכַר (zakar) means 'to remember' and is derived from a root implying recognition. It encompasses recalling thoughts, commemorating events, and prompting others to remember. In this verse, it highlights God's active remembrance of His covenant, indicating that His promises are not forgotten but are integral to His relationship with His people.
The parsing as a sequential imperfect third person masculine singular indicates an ongoing action in the past, suggesting that God's remembrance is not a one-time event but a continuous aspect of His character.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains two main verbs: יִּזְכֹּ֣ר (he remembered) and יִּנָּחֵ֗ם (he relented). The first verb introduces God's action of remembering, while the second verb indicates His compassionate response. The structure emphasizes God's active engagement with His covenant.
The sentence flows from God's remembrance to His response, illustrating a cause-and-effect relationship in His dealings with His people.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates זָכַר as ἐμνήσθη (he remembered), which carries a similar meaning, emphasizing God's active recollection of His covenant. This choice aligns with the Hebrew understanding of remembrance as a dynamic act rather than a passive recollection.
For נָחַם, the Septuagint uses μετεμελήθη (he repented), which reflects a deeper emotional response, suggesting that God's compassion is intertwined with His remembrance of the covenant.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 106:45 shows that God remembered His promises to His people and responded with compassion. This verse highlights God's faithfulness and love, reminding us that He is always aware of His commitments and acts accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God actively recalled His promises to His people, ensuring that He would fulfill them.
The term 'relented' indicates that God showed compassion and mercy in response to His people's cries for help.
This verse illustrates God's faithfulness, love, and willingness to respond to the needs of His people.
God's loving devotion signifies His deep commitment and kindness towards His people, which is a recurring theme in the Scriptures.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How have I experienced God's faithfulness in my own life?
- In what ways can I remember and honor the promises I have made to others?
- How can I show compassion to those in need, reflecting God's loving devotion?
- What does it mean for me to rely on God's promises during difficult times?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 106:45 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd he remembered for them his covenant,.... At Sinai, according to Aben Ezra; rather that made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; see Psalms 105:8, not their covenant who promised to hear and do all
Read John Gill on Psalms 106 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryNevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: -Conclusion.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 106 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHis covenant; the covenant made with their father which, notwithstanding their horrible violation of it. made good unto them, and in consideration thereof delivered them. Repented; changed his course and dealing with them, as penitent persons usually do. See Poole "".
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 106 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 106:45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.Ver. 45. And he remembered for them his covenant] Which could not be vacated or abolished by the wickedness of men, but stood firm and inviolable, inasmuch as God is faithful and merciful. And repented] That is, changed his severity into clemency. God’ s repentance is not a change of his will, but of his work, Mutatio rei, non Dei.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 106 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges45. Cp. Leviticus 26:41-42. repented] Cp. Psalms 90:13.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 106 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAnd he remembered for them his covenant - His solemn promises made to their fathers. He remembered that covenant in their behalf; or, on account of that, he came and blessed them.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 106 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible45. And he remembered for them his covenant— “Behold the goodness and severity of God!” The closing descriptions of the divine tenderness are exceedingly touching, as his judgments are fearful.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 106 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion.
He remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion.
He remembered his covenant with them, and relented because of his great loyal love.
Tyndale line
And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
And he remembered for them his covenant, And repented according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
And he remembred his couenant towarde them and repented according to the multitude of his mercies,
Strictly literal
And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his loving-kindnesses;
And remembereth for them His covenant, And is comforted, According to the abundance of His kindness.
And remembers His covenant for them, || And is comforted, || According to the abundance of His kindness.
And he remembered unto them his covenant, and he bethought himself according to the abundance of his kindnesses;
He called to mind his covenant with them and relented because of his steadfast love.
Simplified
He remembered the agreement he had made with them, and he held back because of his great kindness and love.
And kept in mind his agreement with them, and in his great mercy gave them forgiveness.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text states, "וַיִּזְכֹּ֣ר לָהֶ֣ם בְּרִית֑וֹ וַ֝יִּנָּחֵ֗ם כְּרֹ֣ב חֲסָדָֽיו׃" which translates to "And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion." The Septuagint closely matches the Masoretic Text, with five out of six words corresponding directly, indicating a high degree of agreement. However, the Septuagint's word order and articles differ from the Hebrew text, reflecting its own syntactical structure rather than a direct translation. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls for this verse are not specifically mentioned, suggesting they may not provide additional differing readings for this particular text, but the overall consensus shows alignment with the Masoretic Text in meaning.
וַיִּזְכֹּ֣ר לָהֶ֣ם בְּרִית֑וֹ וַ֝יִּנָּחֵ֗ם כְּרֹ֣ב חֲסָדָֽיו׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 106:45
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word זָכַר (zakar) means 'to remember' and is built from a primitive root implying recognition. It covers a range of meanings, including recalling thoughts, commemorating days, and causing others to remember. The entries also note its use in various grammatical forms, such as being remembered or making a memorial.
זָכַר vb. remember
Qal
Human subj.
remember, recall, call to mind, usu. as affecting present feeling, thought or action
remember persons (human subj.)
remember י׳
remember
think of or on, call to mind something present or future
remember a day, to observe, commemorate it
remember, with implied mention of, obj.
Subj. י׳ (אלהִם)
remember persons
remember the distress of his servants
their devotion
remember his own covenant (with them)
his mercy
extenuating circumstances
remember sins, idolatries
Niph.
be brought to remembrance, remembered, thought of, usu. c. neg.
neg. be not remembered = no longer exist, of name of Israel, as nation
be remembered, of particular days, in order to be observed, commemorated
Hiph.
cause to remember, remind
cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance
mention
record, only pt.
of sacrifice, make a memorial
base
H2142 זָכַר remember .. Human subj. . remember, recall, call to mind, usu. as affecting present feeling, thought or action
. remember persons (human subj.)
. remember י׳
. remember
. think of or on, call to mind something present or future
. remember a day, to observe, commemorate it
. remember, with implied mention of, obj.
. Subj. י׳ (אלהִם) . remember persons
. . remember the distress of his servants
. their devotion
. . remember his own covenant (with them)
. his mercy
. extenuating circumstances
. remember sins, idolatries
. . be brought to remembrance, remembered, thought of, usu. c. neg.
. neg. be not remembered = no longer exist, of name of Israel, as nation
. be remembered, of particular days, in order to be observed, commemorated
. . cause to remember, remind
. cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance
. mention
. record, only pt.
. of sacrifice, make a memorial
2142 zakar zaw-kar'
a primitive root; properly, to mark (so as to be recognized),
i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; also (as
denominative from 2145) to be male:--X burn (incense), X
earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of), be mindful, recount,
record(-er), remember, make to be remembered, bring (call,
come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, X still, think on, X
well.
see HEBREW for 02145
זָכַר (za.khar) — to remember.
1) to remember, recall, call to mind
1a) (Qal) to remember, recall
1b) (Niphal) to be brought to remembrance, be remembered, be thought of, be brought to mind
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to remember, remind
1c2) to cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance
1c3) to mention
1c4) to record
1c5) to make a memorial, make remembrance
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
הֶם (hem) — them.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine plural
HR/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3mp
בְּרִית (berith) means 'covenant' and encompasses agreements between individuals, such as treaties and alliances, as well as divine covenants between God and humanity. It is derived from a root meaning 'to cut,' suggesting the seriousness of such agreements. The term appears in various contexts, including friendships, marriages, and formal ordinances.
בְּרִית 285 n.f. covenant
between men.
treaty, alliance, league
constitution, ordinance, between monarch and subjects
agreement, pledge
alliance of friendship between David and Jonathan
alliance of marriage
between God and man.
alliance of friendship
covenant, as a divine constitution or ordinance with signs or pledges
Phrases.
covenant making
covenant keeping
covenant violation
base
H1285 בְּרִית covenant . between men. . treaty, alliance, league
. constitution, ordinance, between monarch and subjects
. agreement, pledge
. alliance of friendship between David and Jonathan
. alliance of marriage
. between God and man. . alliance of friendship
. covenant, as a divine constitution or ordinance with signs or pledges
. Phrases. . covenant making
. covenant keeping
. covenant violation
1285 briyth ber-eeth'
from 1262 (in the sense of cutting (like 1254)); a compact
(because made by passing between pieces of
flesh):--confederacy, (con-)feder(-ate), covenant, league.
see HEBREW for 01262
see HEBREW for 01254
בְּרִית (be.rit) — covenant.
1) covenant, alliance, pledge
1a) between men
1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man)
1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects)
1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man)
1a4) alliance (of friendship)
1a5) alliance (of marriage)
1b) between God and man
1b1) alliance (of friendship)
1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges)
2) (phrases)
2a) covenant making
2b) covenant keeping
2c) covenant violation
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp3ms
נָחַם (nacham) is a Hebrew root that conveys a range of meanings related to feelings of sorrow, compassion, and comfort. It can signify being sorry, repenting, or consoling oneself, as well as avenging oneself in a more negative context. The verb appears in various forms, including Niph., Piel, Pual, and Hithpael, each reflecting different nuances of comfort and regret.
[נחם] vb. Niph. be sorry, console oneself, etc.
Niph.
be sorry, moved to pity, have compassion, for others
be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent, of one’s own doings
comfort oneself, be comforted
comfort oneself, ease oneself, by taking vengeance
Piel—comfort, console
Pual; be comforted, consoled
Hithpa.—
be sorry, have compassion
rue, repent of
comfort oneself, be comforted
ease oneself, by taking vengeance
base
H5162 נחם Niph. be sorry, console oneself, etc. .comfort, console
. be comforted, consoled
.— . be sorry, have compassion
. rue, repent of
. comfort oneself, be comforted
. ease oneself, by taking vengeance
5162 nacham naw-kham'
a primitive root; properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly;
by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to
pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge
(oneself):--comfort (self), ease (one's self),
repent(-er,-ing, self).
נָחַם (na.cham) — to be sorry: comfort.
: comfort
1) to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion
1a2) to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent
1a3) to comfort oneself, be comforted
1a4) to comfort oneself, ease oneself
1b) (Piel) to comfort, console
1c) (Pual) to be comforted, be consoled
1d) (Hithpael)
1d1) to be sorry, have compassion
1d2) to rue, repent of
1d3) to comfort oneself, be comforted
1d4) to ease oneself
Also means: na.cham (נָחַם ": relent" H5162H)
נָחַם (na.cham) — to be sorry: relent.
: relent
1) to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion
1a2) to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent
1a3) to comfort oneself, be comforted
1a4) to comfort oneself, ease oneself
1b) (Piel) to comfort, console
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/VNw3ms
רֹב (rov) refers to a multitude or abundance, encompassing ideas of greatness and numerousness. It is derived from a related root and can describe anything from a large quantity to excellence. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, emphasizing its broad application in the Old Testament.
רֹב 151 n.m. multitude, abundance, greatness
base
H7230 רֹב multitude, abundance, greatness
7230 rob robe
from 7231; abundance (in any respect):--abundance(- antly),
all, X common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number),
huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much,
multitude, plenty(-ifully), X very (age).
see HEBREW for 07231
רֹב (rov) — abundance.
1) multitude, abundance, greatness
1a) multitude
1a1) abundance, abundantly
1a2) numerous
1b) greatness
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) primarily means kindness or goodness, often referring to the kindness of people towards one another, especially towards the needy. It can also denote God's lovingkindness and mercy. Additionally, it has a secondary meaning of shame or reproach. The entries reflect a range of uses, from human interactions to divine attributes.
חֶ֫סֶד 247 n.m. goodness, kindness
of man:
kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
(rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
lovely appearance
of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
base
חֶ֫סֶד n.m. shame, reproach
base
H2617a חֶ֫סֶד goodness, kindness . of man: . kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
. kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
. (rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
. lovely appearance
. of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
H2617b חֶ֫סֶד shame, reproach
2617 checed kheh'-sed
from 2616; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety:
rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty:--favour,
good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-)kindness, merciful
(kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.
see HEBREW for 02616
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — kindness.
goodness, kindness, faithfulness
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — shame.
a reproach, shame
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms