Psalm 106:34

34 They destroyed not the nations which the Lord told them to destroy;

Psalm 106:34 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 106:34

They did not destroy the nations
Here begins an account of their sins and provocations, after they were settled in the land of Canaan. They did not destroy the inhabitants of the land, of the seven nations; whose land was given to them as an inheritance, and of which the Canaanites were dispossessed for their sins, and to be destroyed.

Concerning whom the Lord commanded them;
that they should destroy them; the command is in ( Deuteronomy 7:1 Deuteronomy 7:2 ) . God's commands are to be obeyed; they are neither to be added to, nor diminished from; his commands are transgressed and violated by sins of omission or commission; the Israelites might plead mercy, but this was no excuse to an express command: the same sin Saul was afterwards guilty of, with respect to one of these nations, ( 1 Samuel 15:2 1 Samuel 15:8 1 Samuel 15:9 ) . Those spiritual Canaanites, the sinful deeds of the body, are to be mortified, and not indulged and spared, ( Colossians 3:5 ) ( Romans 8:13 ) .

Psalm 106:34 In-Context

32 They provoked him also at the water of Strife, and Moses was hurt for their sakes;

33 for they provoked his spirit, and he spoke unadvisedly with his lips.

34 They destroyed not the nations which the Lord told them to destroy;

35 but were mingled with the heathen, and learned their works.

36 And they served their graven images; and it became an offence to them.