Many times did he deliver them - From danger of invasion; from foreign arms; from entire overthrow. Numerous instances of this are recorded in the history of the Hebrew people.
But they provoked him with their counsel - This does not mean that they gave counsel or advice to God; but it refers to the counsel which they took among themselves; the plans which they formed. These were such as to offend God.
And were brought low for their iniquity - Margin, “impoverished or weakened.” The Hebrew word means to melt away, to pine; and hence, to decay, to be brought low. See Job 24:24, where it is rendered “brought low,” and Ecclesiastes 10:18, where it is rendered “decayeth.” The word does not occur elsewhere. The meaning is, that they were weakened; their national strength was exhausted as a punishment for their sins.