Psalms106

This psalm recounts Israel's history of rebellion and God's enduring mercy. It begins with a call to praise the LORD, then details the nation's repeated provocations, from the Red Sea to the wilderness and Canaan, where they forgot God's wonders and turned to idolatry. Despite their persistent sin, God, in His great mercy, frequently delivered them and remembered His covenant. The psalm concludes with a plea for present salvation and a doxology.
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Introduction: A Call to Praise and Prayer

1
Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. ​
2
Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise?
3
Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. ​
4
Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; ​
5
That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.

The Sins of the Fathers: The Red Sea

6
We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. ​
7
Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. ​
8
Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. ​
9
He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
10
And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
11
And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.
12
Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.

Rebellion and Idolatry in the Wilderness

13
They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: ​
14
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
15
And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. ​
16
They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD.
17
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.
18
And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.
19
They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.
20
Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. ​
21
They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;
22
Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.
23
Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. ​
24
Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:
25
But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.
26
Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:
27
To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.
28
They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. ​
29
Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.
30
Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. ​
31
And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.
32
They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:
33
Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips. ​

Compromise and Sin in Canaan

34
They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: ​
35
But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.
36
And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.
37
Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, ​
38
And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.
39
Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
40
Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
41
And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.
42
Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
43
Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
44
Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
45
And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies. ​
46
He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.

Prayer for Deliverance and Doxology

47
Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise. ​
48
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 106

Verse 1

This psalm is the final installment of Book IV of the Psalter. It begins with the characteristic Hallelujah ('Praise ye the LORD') and establishes the foundational theological truth that God’s goodness and covenant loyalty endure forever.

Verse 3

The psalmist connects true blessedness not just with worship, but with ethical living, emphasizing that covenant faithfulness requires both keeping judgment and doing righteousness constantly.

Verse 4

The author shifts from corporate praise to personal prayer, asking to share in the promised blessings and salvation reserved for God’s chosen people.

Verse 6

This verse marks a transition to a historical confession. The psalmist identifies the current generation with the persistent sin and guilt of their ancestors, establishing the theme of historical apostasy.

Verse 7

Despite witnessing the miraculous plagues in Egypt, the Israelites immediately doubted God's power and provision at the Red Sea (Exod 14), demonstrating a fundamental failure to trust His mercy.

Verse 8

God’s deliverance was not based on Israel’s obedience or faith, but solely 'for his name’s sake,' meaning He acted to uphold His own reputation and demonstrate His power to the world.

Verse 13

The transition from V. 12 to V. 13 is stark, highlighting the fleeting nature of Israel’s faith. They forgot God's previous works and refused to wait for His reliable guidance and timing.

Verse 15

This refers to the quail incident (Num 11). God gave them the meat they craved, but the resulting provision brought judgment and spiritual emptiness ('leanness into their soul'), illustrating the danger of demanding selfish desires.

Verse 20

This describes the Golden Calf incident (Exod 32). They exchanged the invisible, glorious God for an image of a grazing ox, a profound act of theological degradation and forgetfulness.

Verse 23

Moses is portrayed as the covenant mediator who 'stood in the breach,' acting as an intercessor and buffer between God’s righteous wrath and the rebellious people (Exod 32:11-14).

Verse 28

The sin at Baalpeor (Num 25) involved joining themselves to a Moabite fertility cult, including sexual immorality and eating sacrifices made to lifeless idols ('sacrifices of the dead').

Verse 30

Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, acted decisively to execute judgment on the offenders, stopping the plague that had broken out. This zeal demonstrated a commitment to God's holiness.

Verse 33

This references the Waters of Meribah (Num 20), where Moses struck the rock out of frustration. His failure to sanctify God properly resulted in him being barred from entering the promised land.

Verse 34

After entering the land, Israel failed in their primary mission: to completely destroy the corrupt Canaanite nations, leading directly to cultural and religious compromise.

Verse 37

The ultimate result of mingling with the heathen was the adoption of horrific pagan practices, including the sacrifice of their own children to demonic entities (often Molech or Baal).

Verse 45

Despite Israel's repeated sin and subsequent judgment, God's deliverance always stems from His sovereign decision to 'remember his covenant' and act based on His abundant mercy (hesed), not Israel's repentance.

Verse 47

The psalm concludes with a final plea for the current generation (likely in exile or distress) to be saved and gathered back to the land, allowing them to fulfill the purpose of covenant life: praising God.

Verse 48

This doxology formally closes Book IV of the Psalter (Psalms 90–106). The command for 'all the people' to respond with 'Amen' signifies communal affirmation of God's eternal sovereignty and faithfulness.

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