Old Testament
Psalms 106:42
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, the psalmist reflects on the suffering of the Israelites at the hands of their enemies.
- Author
- David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and others
- Written
- Around 1000-500 BC
- Genre
- Poetry and worship
- Original Audience
- Worshipers of Israel
Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
Verse Analysis
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.
Key themes
Related topics
Related Bible verses
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
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.

The Book of Psalms
Psalm 1: Two Paths
This psalm describes two paths. The blessed person does not follow the counsel of the ungodly, does not stand in the way of sinners, and does not sit among the scornful. Instead, this person delights in the law of the LORD and thinks on it day and night.
Unlock the full Psalms summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Psalms — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 150 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Psalms summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.