ScriptureDepth's study of Psalm 106
“Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry.”
Psalms 106:44
Yahweh hears the cries of the Israelites in distress, promising deliverance despite their rebellion, which recalls their need for salvation from oppression.
What Psalm 106 is about
The psalmist calls for praise to Yahweh, declaring his goodness and eternal loving kindness (vv. 1-5). The people confess their sins alongside their ancestors, remembering how Yahweh saved them from Egypt. Despite their rebellion at the Red Sea, he rescued them by drying up the waters (vv. 6-12). After their rescue, they soon forgot God’s works and tested him in the desert, leading to their disobedience (vv. 13-23). They despised the promised land and did not listen to his voice, which brought God’s anger against them (vv. 24-33). The people turned to idol worship, sacrificing to false gods and polluting the land with blood (vv. 34-39). God grew angry but also showed mercy, rescuing them when they cried out (vv. 40-43). The psalmist pleads for salvation and restoration, expressing hope for deliverance (vv. 44-48).
The chapter leaves the reader with a plea for salvation and a call to praise Yahweh.
Psalm 106 at a glance
- Psalm 106:1–5Call to Praise and Thanksgiving
- Psalm 106:6–12Israel's Rebellion and God's Salvation
- Psalm 106:13–23Continued Disobedience and Divine Anger
- Psalm 106:24–33Further Provocations and Consequences
- Psalm 106:34–39Idolatry and Its Impact
- Psalm 106:40–43God's Anger and Deliverance
- Psalm 106:44–48Plea for Salvation and Conclusion
Key verse: Psalms 106:44
One thing to notice
Verses 8, 10, and 45 show God's consistent action in saving Israel despite their rebellion. Each verse affirms that God intervened for 'his name's sake', to redeem them, and to remember 'his covenant', revealing a steadfast nature in the face of Israel's failures.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Psalm 106 (WEB)
Call to Praise and Thanksgiving Psalm 106:1–5
1Verse 1. Praise Yahweh!Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,for his loving kindness endures forever.2Verse 2. Who can utter the mighty acts of Yahweh,or fully declare all his praise?3Verse 3. Blessed are those who keep justice.Blessed is one who does what is right at all times.4Verse 4. Remember me, Yahweh, with the favor that you show to your people.Visit me with your salvation,5Verse 5. that I may see the prosperity of your chosen,that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,that I may glory with your inheritance.
Israel's Rebellion and God's Salvation Psalm 106:6–12
6Verse 6. We have sinned with our fathers.We have committed iniquity.We have done wickedly.7Verse 7. Our fathers didn’t understand your wonders in Egypt.They didn’t remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses,but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea.8Verse 8. Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake,that he might make his mighty power known.9Verse 9. He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up;so he led them through the depths, as through a desert.10Verse 10. He saved them from the hand of him who hated them,and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.11Verse 11. The waters covered their adversaries.There was not one of them left.12Verse 12. Then they believed his words.They sang his praise.
Continued Disobedience and Divine Anger Psalm 106:13–23
13Verse 13. They soon forgot his works.They didn’t wait for his counsel,14Verse 14. but gave in to craving in the desert,and tested God in the wasteland.15Verse 15. He gave them their request,but sent leanness into their soul.16Verse 16. They envied Moses also in the camp,and Aaron, Yahweh’s saint.17Verse 17. The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan,and covered the company of Abiram.18Verse 18. A fire was kindled in their company.The flame burned up the wicked.19Verse 19. They made a calf in Horeb,and worshiped a molten image.20Verse 20. Thus they exchanged their gloryfor an image of a bull that eats grass.21Verse 21. They forgot God, their Savior,who had done great things in Egypt,22Verse 22. Wondrous works in the land of Ham,and awesome things by the Red Sea.23Verse 23. Therefore he said that he would destroy them,had Moses, his chosen, not stood before him in the breach,to turn away his wrath, so that he wouldn’t destroy them.
Further Provocations and Consequences Psalm 106:24–33
24Verse 24. Yes, they despised the pleasant land.They didn’t believe his word,25Verse 25. but murmured in their tents,and didn’t listen to Yahweh’s voice.26Verse 26. Therefore he swore to themthat he would overthrow them in the wilderness,27Verse 27. that he would overthrow their offspring among the nations,and scatter them in the lands.28Verse 28. They joined themselves also to Baal Peor,and ate the sacrifices of the dead.29Verse 29. Thus they provoked him to anger with their deeds.The plague broke in on them.30Verse 30. Then Phinehas stood up, and executed judgment,so the plague was stopped.31Verse 31. That was credited to him for righteousness,for all generations to come.32Verse 32. They angered him also at the waters of Meribah,so that Moses was troubled for their sakes;33Verse 33. because they were rebellious against his spirit,he spoke rashly with his lips.
Idolatry and Its Impact Psalm 106:34–39
34Verse 34. They didn’t destroy the peoples,as Yahweh commanded them,35Verse 35. but mixed themselves with the nations,and learned their works.36Verse 36. They served their idols,which became a snare to them.37Verse 37. Yes, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons.38Verse 38. They shed innocent blood,even the blood of their sons and of their daughters,whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan.The land was polluted with blood.39Verse 39. Thus were they defiled with their works,and prostituted themselves in their deeds.
God's Anger and Deliverance Psalm 106:40–43
40Verse 40. Therefore Yahweh burned with anger against his people.He abhorred his inheritance.41Verse 41. He gave them into the hand of the nations.Those who hated them ruled over them.42Verse 42. Their enemies also oppressed them.They were brought into subjection under their hand.43Verse 43. He rescued them many times,but they were rebellious in their counsel,and were brought low in their iniquity.
Plea for Salvation and Conclusion Psalm 106:44–48
44Verse 44. Nevertheless he regarded their distress,when he heard their cry.45Verse 45. He remembered for them his covenant,and repented according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.46Verse 46. He made them also to be pitiedby all those who carried them captive.47Verse 47. Save us, Yahweh, our God,gather us from among the nations,to give thanks to your holy name,to triumph in your praise!48Verse 48. Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel,from everlasting even to everlasting!Let all the people say, “Amen.”Praise Yah!
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Psalm 106
God's mercy
God's mercy is evident in how He responds to Israel's repeated unfaithfulness. For instance, in v. 44, it notes that 'he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry.' Despite the people's rebellion, God remembers His covenant and repents according to His loving kindness, offering them pity during their captivity. This theme runs throughout the psalm as it recounts how God saves His people time and again.
Human unfaithfulness
Human unfaithfulness is prominently displayed in Israel's actions throughout the history recounted in the psalm. In v. 6, it states, 'We have sinned with our fathers,' acknowledging their iniquities and wickedness. The psalm continues to describe various instances of rebellion, including the making of a golden calf in v. 19 and their idolatrous practices which provoke God's anger. This theme reveals the ongoing cycle of disobedience among the people.
Covenant faithfulness
Covenant faithfulness is a key aspect of God's character as depicted in this psalm. In v. 45, it records that God 'remembered for them his covenant,' showing His commitment to His promises despite Israel's failures. Even when the people reject Him and face consequences, God remains true to His covenant, which leads to their eventual deliverance from oppression. This steadfastness contrasts sharply with Israel's repeated disloyalty.
Divine deliverance
Divine deliverance emerges prominently in Psalm 106, detailing how God rescues His people from distress. In verse 10, it recounts how 'He saved them from the hand of him who hated them,' affirming His protective role. The psalm also narrates instances of God's intervention in response to Israel's cries, particularly in verse 47, where there is a plea for salvation, expressing the continual need for divine redemption.
Chapter outline
How Psalm 106 unfolds
Psalm 106:1–5 Call to Praise and Thanksgiving
Yahweh is praised for his goodness and enduring loving kindness (v. 1). The psalmist expresses a desire for remembrance and salvation, hoping to witness the prosperity of God's people (vv. 4-5).
Psalm 106:6–12 Israel's Rebellion and God's Salvation
Israel confesses, 'We have sinned with our fathers' (v. 6) and recalls their rebellion at 'the sea, even at the Red Sea' (v. 7). God saves them, 'for his name’s sake' (v. 8), parting the Red Sea (v. 9) and leading them safely (v. 10).
Psalm 106:13–23 Continued Disobedience and Divine Anger
The people forget God's works and 'gave in to craving in the desert' (v. 14), leading to their rebellion against Him (v. 13). God threatens destruction but Moses intercedes, turning away His wrath (v. 23).
Psalm 106:24–33 Further Provocations and Consequences
Further acts of disobedience are recounted, including Israel's rejection of the promised land and discontent in their wilderness journey (vv. 24-26, 32). Their rebellion leads to severe consequences, including divine judgment (v. 27).
Psalm 106:34–39 Idolatry and Its Impact
Israel fails to destroy the peoples, mixing with the nations and 'served their idols' (v. 36). They sacrifice 'their sons and their daughters to demons' (v. 37), polluting the land with innocent blood (v. 38).
Psalm 106:40–43 God's Anger and Deliverance
Yahweh's anger burns against His people, leading to their subjugation under 'the hand of the nations' (v. 41). Despite their rebellion, He 'rescued them many times' in response to their cries (v. 43).
Psalm 106:44–48 Plea for Salvation and Conclusion
The psalmist pleads for deliverance from exile and a return to worshiping God's name (v. 47). The prayer concludes with a blessing for Yahweh's eternal reign and a communal agreement in praise (vv. 48).
Key verses
Psalms 106:44Yahweh hears the cries of the Israelites in distress, promising deliverance despite their rebellion, which recalls their need for salvation from oppression.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Psalm 106
- observeIn v6, what specific actions do the fathers commit against God?
- observeWhat mighty act of God is mentioned in v9 regarding the Red Sea?
- interpretIn v23, what is the implication of Moses standing 'before him in the breach'?
- interpretIn v29, how does the phrase 'provoked him to anger with their deeds' inform our understanding of Israel's actions?
- applyWhen have you felt a sense of rebellion similar to Israel's in v13?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalm 106
- Psalm 78Psalm 106:13 and Psalm 78:11Both forgot his works: Psalm 106:13 says they forgot his works, while Psalm 78:11 says they forgot his doings.
- 1 Corinthians 10Psalm 106:19 and 1 Corinthians 10:7Both made a calf: Psalm 106:19 says they made a calf, while 1 Corinthians 10:7 says they were idolaters.
- Psalm 119Psalm 106:4 and Psalm 119:132Both have mercy: Psalm 106:4 says remember me, while Psalm 119:132 asks for mercy.
- Psalm 105Psalm 106:1 and Psalm 105:1Both give thanks: Psalm 106:1 says give thanks for he is good, while Psalm 105:1 says make his doings known.
- Nehemiah 9Psalm 106:9 and Nehemiah 9:11Both divided the sea: Psalm 106:9 says he led them through the depths, while Nehemiah 9:11 says you divided the sea.
- Exodus 14Psalm 106:7 and Exodus 14:11Both rebellious at the sea: Psalm 106:7 mentions rebellion at the sea, while Exodus 14:11 states they questioned Moses.
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