13 But their memory of his works was short; not waiting to be guided by him, 14 They gave way to their evil desires in the waste land, and put God to the test in the dry places. 15 And he gave them their request, but sent a wasting disease into their souls. 16 They were full of envy against Moses among the tents, and against Aaron, the holy one of the Lord. 17 The earth opening put an end to Dathan, covering up Abiram and his band. 18 And a fire was lighted among their tents; the sinners were burned up by the flames. 19 They made a young ox in Horeb, and gave worship to an image of gold. 20 And their glory was changed into the image of an ox, whose food is grass. 21 They had no memory of God their saviour, who had done great things in Egypt; 22 Works of wonder in the land of Ham, and things of fear by the Red Sea. 23 And he was purposing to put an end to them if Moses, his special servant, had not gone up before him, between him and his people, turning back his wrath, to keep them from destruction. 24 They were disgusted with the good land; they had no belief in his word; 25 Talking against him secretly in their tents, they did not give ear to the voice of the Lord. 26 So he made an oath against them, to put an end to them in the waste land: 27 That their children might be mixed among the nations, and sent away into other lands. 28 And they were joined to Baal-peor, and took part in the offerings to the dead. 29 So they made him angry by their behaviour; and he sent disease on them. 30 Then Phinehas got up, and made prayer for them; and the disease went no farther. 31 And all the generations coming after him kept the memory of his righteousness for ever. 32 They made God angry again at the waters of Meribah, so that Moses was troubled because of them; 33 For they made his spirit bitter, and he said unwise things.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 106:13-33
Commentary on Psalm 106:13-33
(Read Psalm 106:13-33)
Those that will not wait for God's counsel, shall justly be given up to their own hearts' lusts, to walk in their own counsels. An undue desire, even for lawful things, becomes sinful. God showed his displeasure for this. He filled them with uneasiness of mind, terror of conscience, and self-reproach. Many that fare deliciously every day, and whose bodies are healthful, have leanness in their souls: no love to God, no thankfulness, no appetite for the Bread of life, and then the soul must be lean. Those wretchedly forget themselves, that feast their bodies and starve their souls. Even the true believer will see abundant cause to say, It is of the Lord's mercies that I am not consumed. Often have we set up idols in our hearts, cleaved to some forbidden object; so that if a greater than Moses had not stood to turn away the anger of the Lord, we should have been destroyed. If God dealt severely with Moses for unadvised words, what do those deserve who speak many proud and wicked words? It is just in God to remove those relations that are blessings to us, when we are peevish and provoking to them, and grieve their spirits.