Go to Related Reading
About this book

LXX Psalms

Septuagint

About this book
Psalm 105

1 Hallelujah. Give thanks to the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever. 2 Who shall tell the mighty acts of the Lord? who shall cause all his praises to be heard? 3 Those who keep judgment, and do righteousness at all times are blessed. 4 Remember us, Lord, with the favor you have to your people: visit us with your salvation; 5 that we may see the good of your elect, that we may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that we may glory with your inheritance. 6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have transgressed, we have done unrighteously. 7 Our fathers in Egypt did not understand your wonders, and did not remember the multitude of your mercy; but provoked him as they went up by the Red Sea. 8 Yet he saved them for his name's sake, that he might cause his mighty power to be known. 9 And he rebuked the Red Sea, and it was dried up: so he led them through the deep as through the wilderness. 10 And he saved them out of the hand of those who hated them, and redeemed them out of the hand of the enemy. 11 The water covered those that oppressed them: there was not one of them left. 12 Then they believed his words, and celebrated his praise. 13 They made haste, they forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. 14 And they lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the dry land. 15 And he gave them their request, and sent fullness into their souls. 16 They provoked Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the holy one of the Lord. 17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and closed upon the congregation of Abiram. 18 And a fire was kindled in their congregation, and a flame burnt up the sinners. 19 And they made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped the carved image, 20 and they changed their glory into the likeness of a calf that feeds on grass.⁠ 21 They forgot God that saved them, who had done great deeds in Egypt; 22 wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things at the Red Sea. 23 So he said that he would have destroyed them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn him away from the fierceness of his anger, so that he should not destroy them. 24 Moreover they set at nothing the desirable land, and did not believe his word. 25 And they murmured in their tents: they did not listen to the voice of the Lord. 26 So he lifted up his hand against them, to cast them down in the wilderness; 27 and to cast down their seed among the nations, and to scatter them in the countries. 28 They were joined also to Baal Peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. 29 And they provoked him with their devices; and destruction was multiplied among them. 30 Then Phinehas stood up, and made atonement: and the plague ceased. 31 And it was counted to him for righteousness, to all generations for ever. 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 did not destroy the nations which the Lord told them to destroy; 35 but were mingled with the pagan nations, and learned their works. 36 And they served their carved images; and it became an offense to them. 37 And they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons, 38 and shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was defiled with blood. 39 and was polluted with their works; and they prostituted themselves with their own devices. 40 So the Lord was very angry with his people, and he abhorred his inheritance. 41 And he delivered them into the hands of the nations; and they that hated them ruled over them. 42 And their enemies oppressed them, and they were brought down under their hands. 43 Many a time he delivered them; but they provoked him by their counsel, and they were brought low by their iniquities. 44 Yet he looked upon their affliction, when he heard their petition. 45 And he remembered his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercy. 46 And he caused them to be pitied in the sight of all who carried them captive. 47 Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from among the pagan nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise. 48 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting and to everlasting; and all the people shall say, Amen, Amen.

Texts in conversation

Compare Psalm 106:20 and LXX Psalm 105:20

Hebrew Bible · Septuagint

Share:

Summary

Psalm 106 says Israel traded divine glory for a lifeless idol. A tradition called “tiqqune soferim” says the text first read “his glory” or “my glory,” which would show a loss of God’s honor. The language was changed to avoid disrespecting God.

Passages

Psalm 106:20

Hebrew Bible
18 Fire burned their group; the flames scorched the wicked. 19 They made an image of a calf at Horeb and worshiped a metal idol. 20 They traded their majestic God for the image of an ox that eats grass. 21 They rejected the God who delivered them, the one who performed great deeds in Egypt, 22 amazing feats in the land of Ham, mighty acts by the Red Sea.
600–201 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Psalms

LXX Psalm 105:20

Septuagint
18 And a fire was kindled in their congregation, and a flame burnt up the sinners. 19 And they made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped the carved image, 20 and they changed their glory into the likeness of a calf that feeds on grass. 21 They forgot God that saved them, who had done great deeds in Egypt; 22 wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things at the Red Sea.
100–1 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in LXX Psalms

References

"... The Hebrew indicates “their glory.” According to an ancient Hebrew scribal tradition known as tiqqune soferim, the text originally read “his glory” or “my glory.” In Jeremiah 2:11 the Lord states that his people (Israel) exchanged “their glory” (a reference to the Lord) for worthless idols. ..."
W. Hall Harris, NET Bible (Biblical Studies, 2019), 449.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

Tags

Your feedback

Psalm 106:20 and LXX Psalm 105:20

Leave a comment

Your questions and comments are welcome!

Comments

Glossary

Search the Library