Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
he said—namely, to Moses (Deuteronomy 9:13). With God, saying is as certain as doing; but His purpose, while full of wrath against sin, takes into account the mediation of Him of whom Moses was the type (Exodus 32:11-14; Deuteronomy 9:18-19).
Moses his chosen—that is, to be His servant (compare Psalms 105:26).
in the breach—as a warrior covers with his body the broken part of a wall or fortress besieged, a perilous place (Ezekiel 13:5; Ezekiel 22:30).
to turn away—or, "prevent"
his wrath— (Numbers 25:11; Psalms 78:38).
From indirect setting God at naught, they pass to direct.
made—though prohibited in Exodus 20:4-5 to make a likeness, even of the true God.
calf—called so in contempt. They would have made an ox or bull, but their idol turned out but a calf; an imitation of the divine symbols, the cherubim; or of the sacred bull of Egyptian idolatry. The idolatry was more sinful in view of their recent experience of God's power in Egypt and His wonders at Sinai (Exodus 32:1-6). Though intending to worship Jehovah under the symbol of the calf, yet as this was incompatible with His nature (Deuteronomy 4:15-17), they in reality gave up Him, and so were given up by Him. Instead of the Lord of heaven, they had as their glory the image of an ox that does nothing but eat grass.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Psalms 106:23:
Jeremiah 18:20
Ezekiel 13:5
Ezekiel 22:30
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