The Meaning of Psalms 106:19 Explained

Psalms 106:19

KJV: They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.

YLT: They make a calf in Horeb, And bow themselves to a molten image,

Darby: They made a calf in Horeb, and did homage to a molten image;

ASV: They made a calf in Horeb, And worshipped a molten image.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

They made  a calf  in Horeb,  and worshipped  the molten image. 

What does Psalms 106:19 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 106:16-33 - Judgment Restrained By Intercession
The strife between the ungodly and the servants of God has characterized all the centuries. These verses record some of its phases. Moses is called God's chosen, Aaron his saint, while Phinehas is held in honor as one to whom his noble deed was counted for righteousness. But such men are always envied, refused, resisted. Men hate them, but God loves and vindicates them for their loyalty and uncompromising righteousness.
It is beautiful to notice how, so far from human hatred inducing such leaders to turn from their persecutors, it seems to drive them to more intense and ceaseless intercession for them. They stand in the breach, to turn away deserved wrath. From the days of Abraham, who prayed for Sodom, right down the stream of time, the people of God have been his remembrancers, giving Him no rest. Let us cultivate the great art of intercession; and if there is need, let us, like Phinehas, not hesitate to strike strongly in the interests of purity. But while thus standing before men, we must cultivate the grace of humility. We are only servants at the most and must not arrogate more to ourselves. Our authority is only delegated. This is where Moses failed, Numbers 20:2-13. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 106

1  The psalmist exhorts to praise God
4  He prays for pardon of sin, as God pardoned the fathers
7  The story of the people's rebellion, and God's mercy
47  He concludes with prayer and praise

What do the individual words in Psalms 106:19 mean?

They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped the molded image
יַעֲשׂוּ־ עֵ֥גֶל בְּחֹרֵ֑ב וַ֝יִּשְׁתַּחֲו֗וּ לְמַסֵּכָֽה

יַעֲשׂוּ־  They  made 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
עֵ֥גֶל  a  calf 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֵגֶל  
Sense: calf, bull-calf.
בְּחֹרֵ֑ב  in  Horeb 
Parse: Preposition-b, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: חֹרֵב  
Sense: another name for Mount Sinai from which God gave the law to Moses and the Israelites.
וַ֝יִּשְׁתַּחֲו֗וּ  and  worshiped 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hitpael, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: שָׁחָה  
Sense: to bow down.
לְמַסֵּכָֽה  the  molded  image 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, feminine singular
Root: מַסֵּכָה 
Sense: a pouring, libation, molten metal, cast image, drink offering.