Psalms 106
Read Psalms 106 (WEB)+
1Praise Yahweh! Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. 2Who can utter the mighty acts of Yahweh, or fully declare all his praise? 3Blessed are those who keep justice. Blessed is one who does what is right at all times. 4Remember me, Yahweh, with the favor that you show to your people. Visit me with your salvation, 5that 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. 6We have sinned with our fathers. We have committed iniquity. We have done wickedly. 7Our 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. 8Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power known. 9He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up; so he led them through the depths, as through a desert. 10He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11The waters covered their adversaries. There was not one of them left. 12Then they believed his words. They sang his praise. 13They soon forgot his works. They didn’t wait for his counsel, 14but gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the wasteland. 15He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul. 16They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron, Yahweh’s saint. 17The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. 18A fire was kindled in their company. The flame burned up the wicked. 19They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped a molten image. 20Thus they exchanged their glory for an image of a bull that eats grass. 21They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, 22Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome things by the Red Sea. 23Therefore 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. 24Yes, they despised the pleasant land. They didn’t believe his word, 25but murmured in their tents, and didn’t listen to Yahweh’s voice. 26Therefore he swore to them that he would overthrow them in the wilderness, 27that he would overthrow their offspring among the nations, and scatter them in the lands. 28They joined themselves also to Baal Peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. 29Thus they provoked him to anger with their deeds. The plague broke in on them. 30Then Phinehas stood up, and executed judgment, so the plague was stopped. 31That was credited to him for righteousness, for all generations to come. 32They angered him also at the waters of Meribah, so that Moses was troubled for their sakes; 33because they were rebellious against his spirit, he spoke rashly with his lips. 34They didn’t destroy the peoples, as Yahweh commanded them, 35but mixed themselves with the nations, and learned their works. 36They served their idols, which became a snare to them. 37Yes, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. 38They 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. 39Thus were they defiled with their works, and prostituted themselves in their deeds. 40Therefore Yahweh burned with anger against his people. He abhorred his inheritance. 41He gave them into the hand of the nations. Those who hated them ruled over them. 42Their enemies also oppressed them. They were brought into subjection under their hand. 43He rescued them many times, but they were rebellious in their counsel, and were brought low in their iniquity. 44Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry. 45He remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses. 46He made them also to be pitied by all those who carried them captive. 47Save us, Yahweh, our God, gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise! 48Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting! Let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise Yah!
World English Bible (public domain)
“"Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry."”
Psalms 106:44
Summary
Psalms 106 is a communal lament that recounts the repeated unfaithfulness of Israel and God's enduring mercy. The psalm opens with praise, emphasizing gratitude for God's enduring love despite human failings. It then recalls various instances of rebellion against God, from the Exodus and the golden calf incident to the provocations in the wilderness and Baal worship. Throughout the narrative, God's anger is tempered by his compassion as He remembers His covenant and extends mercy. The psalm serves as a reminder of human propensity toward sin contrasted with divine faithfulness, and it calls the community to repentance and reliance on God's mercy. The chapter concludes with a plea for deliverance and a call to praise, underscoring the hope for restoration and reminding the reader of God's righteous deeds across generations.
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Chapter outline
How Psalms 106 unfolds
Psalm 106:1–5 Call to Praise and Thanksgiving
The psalm opens with a call to praise Yahweh for His goodness and enduring kindness. The speaker expresses a desire to experience God's salvation and the joy of His people.
Psalm 106:6–12 Israel's Rebellion and God's Salvation
The psalm recounts Israel's sins, highlighting their forgetfulness of God's wonders during the Exodus. Despite their rebellion, God saves them for the sake of His name.
Psalm 106:13–23 Continued Disobedience and Divine Anger
Israel forgets God's works soon after their deliverance, leading to further rebellion and idolatry. Yet, God's anger is tempered by Moses' intercession.
Psalm 106:24–33 Further Provocations and Consequences
The people despise the Promised Land and engage in further idolatry, prompting God's anger and a vow to scatter them among nations. Moses' troubles with their rebellion are noted.
Psalm 106:34–39 Idolatry and Its Impact
Israel's failure to destroy the nations and their worship of idols leads to severe consequences. The land becomes polluted, and they defile themselves with their actions.
Psalm 106:40–43 God's Anger and Deliverance
God's anger burns against His people, leading to oppression by their enemies. However, He repeatedly rescues them, reflecting a cycle of rebellion and mercy.
Psalm 106:44–48 Plea for Salvation and Conclusion
The psalm ends with a heartfelt plea for deliverance and a declaration of praise. It emphasizes God's compassion and the community's call to recognize His eternal goodness.
Key verses
Psalms 106:44Psalms 106:44 captures the essence of the chapter by illustrating God's attentive compassion in response to human distress.
Main themes in Psalms 106
God's mercy
God's mercy is evident throughout Psalm 106, especially in verses 44-46 where He hears the cries of His distressed people. Despite Israel's repeated disobedience and sin, God remembers His covenant and responds with compassion. This theme underscores the chapter's message of hope amid judgment, emphasizing that God's loving kindness prevails even in the face of human unfaithfulness.
Human unfaithfulness
Human unfaithfulness is a central theme in Psalm 106, illustrated by Israel's repeated acts of rebellion from verses 6-39. The psalm details how they forget God's goodness and engage in idolatry, showing a pattern of turning away from Him. This theme highlights the contrast between divine faithfulness and the people's consistent failures, reminding readers of their own tendencies toward sin.
Covenant faithfulness
Covenant faithfulness emerges prominently in verses 43-45, where God remembers His covenant despite Israel's unfaithfulness. The chapter illustrates how God's commitment to His people endures even through their rebellion and punishment. This theme serves to remind the community of God's enduring promise, encouraging them to remain hopeful in His grace.
Divine deliverance
Divine deliverance is depicted in Psalm 106 through God's repeated acts of saving His people, particularly noted in verses 8-10. Despite Israel's failures, God intervenes and rescues them from their enemies, showcasing His power and mercy. This theme emphasizes that deliverance is a continuous act of God, reinforcing the community's reliance on Him for salvation.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalms 106
- Psalm 78Psalm 78 echoes themes of Israel's history, recounting God's wonders and the people's failures, similar to the narrative in Psalm 106.
- 1 Corinthians 101 Corinthians 10 connects with Psalm 106 by warning New Testament believers about the consequences of idolatry and rebellion against God.
- Psalm 119Psalm 119 develops the theme of obedience to God's law, contrasting with Israel's disobedience highlighted in Psalm 106.
- Psalm 105Psalm 105 echoes God's mighty acts and faithfulness, paralleling the recollection of His wonders in Psalm 106.
- Nehemiah 9Nehemiah 9 connects by recounting Israel's history of sin and God's enduring mercy, reflecting similar themes found in Psalm 106.
- Ezekiel 20Ezekiel 20 develops the theme of God's judgment and mercy, paralleling the narrative of rebellion and deliverance in Psalm 106.
Study questions
Questions for studying Psalms 106
- What reasons do the psalmist provide for giving thanks to Yahweh?
- How does Israel's history of rebellion illustrate human unfaithfulness?
- In what ways does God's mercy manifest despite Israel's repeated sins?
- What does the intercession of Moses reveal about God's character?
- How does the imagery of idolatry shape the understanding of Israel's actions?
- What is the significance of the community's call to praise at the end?
- How does this psalm reflect on the theme of covenant faithfulness?
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