Old Testament
Psalms 106:42
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
Compare translations
Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
What Psalms 106:42 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the psalmist reflects on the suffering of the Israelites at the hands of their enemies. It highlights a cycle of oppression where the people of God find themselves subjugated due to their disobedience and turning away from Him. The phrase 'brought into subjection' indicates a loss of freedom and autonomy, emphasizing the consequences of straying from God's ways. This verse serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by the Israelites throughout their history, often resulting from their failure to remain faithful to God. It illustrates the reality of spiritual and physical oppression that can occur when a community turns away from divine guidance. The historical context suggests that these oppressions were not just random acts of violence but were often a direct result of the Israelites' actions and choices, leading to their suffering under foreign powers. This verse calls for reflection on the importance of faithfulness to God and the potential consequences of disobedience.
How to apply Psalms 106:42 to your life
This verse encourages us to remain faithful to our values and beliefs, as straying from them can lead to negative consequences. It serves as a reminder to seek God's guidance in our lives to avoid the pitfalls of oppression, whether spiritual or emotional, that can arise from disobedience.
Curated for this public verse page. Psalms Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

Illustrated scene from Ruth's story: Three Widows (Ruth 1:1–5)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Ruth

Photo: Zeev Stein / PikiWiki Israel, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.5. Source. Location: Tel Beer Sheva National Park, Israel. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Beersheba
Where Abraham and Isaac dug wells and worshiped the LORD, at the southern edge of the land.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Psalms 106:42
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Psalms 106:42
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Psalms
- Author
- David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and others
- Written
- Around 1000-500 BC
- Genre
- Poetry and worship
- Original Audience
- Worshipers of Israel
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Psalms 106:42 mean?
Psalms 106:42 reflects on the suffering of the Israelites due to their disobedience to God, showing how they were oppressed by their enemies and lost their freedom as a consequence of turning away from divine guidance.
What is the meaning of 'brought into subjection' in Psalms 106:42?
'Brought into subjection' means that the Israelites lost their autonomy and were dominated by their enemies, highlighting the serious consequences of their actions and disobedience to God.
How does Psalms 106:42 relate to the theme of oppression?
Psalms 106:42 illustrates the theme of oppression by showing how the Israelites were subjugated by their enemies, which serves as a reminder of the struggles that can arise from disobedience to God.
What lessons can we learn from Psalms 106:42?
From Psalms 106:42, we learn the importance of remaining faithful to our beliefs and values, as straying from them can lead to negative consequences, including spiritual and emotional oppression.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.