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.

Introduction: A Call to Praise and Prayer

1
Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. ​
2
Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD, or fully declare all his praise?
3
Blessed are those who keep justice. Blessed is one who does what is right at all times. ​
4
Remember me, LORD, with the favor that you show to your people. Visit me with your salvation, ​
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.

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 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 Sea of Suf. ​
8
Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power known. ​
9
He rebuked the Sea of Suf also, and it was dried up; so he led them through the depths, as through a desert.
10
He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
11
The waters covered their adversaries. There was not one of them left.
12
Then they believed his words. They sang his praise.

Rebellion and Idolatry in the Wilderness

13
They soon forgot his works. They didn’t wait for his counsel, ​
14
but gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the wasteland.
15
He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul. ​
16
They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron, the LORD’s holy one.
17
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.
18
A fire was kindled in their company. The flame burned up the wicked.
19
They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped a molten image.
20
Thus they exchanged their glory for an image of a bull that eats grass. ​
21
They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt,
22
Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome things by the Sea of Suf.
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. ​
24
Yes, they despised the pleasant land. They didn’t believe his word,
25
but murmured in their tents, and didn’t listen to the LORD’s voice.
26
Therefore he swore to them that he would overthrow them in the wilderness,
27
that he would overthrow their seed among the nations, and scatter them in the lands.
28
They joined themselves also to Baal Peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. ​
29
Thus they provoked him to anger with their deeds. The plague broke in on them.
30
Then Phinehas stood up, and executed judgment, so the plague was stopped. ​
31
That was credited to him for righteousness, for all generations to come.
32
They angered him also at the waters of Meribah, so that Moses was troubled for their sakes;
33
because they were rebellious against his spirit, he spoke rashly with his lips. ​

Compromise and Sin in Canaan

34
They didn’t destroy the peoples, as the LORD commanded them, ​
35
but mixed themselves with the nations, and learned their works.
36
They served their idols, which became a snare to them.
37
Yes, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. ​
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.
39
Thus were they defiled with their works, and prostituted themselves in their deeds.
40
Therefore the LORD burned with anger against his people. He abhorred his inheritance.
41
He gave them into the hand of the nations. Those who hated them ruled over them.
42
Their enemies also oppressed them. They were brought into subjection under their hand.
43
Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their counsel, and were brought low in their iniquity.
44
Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry.
45
He remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses. ​
46
He made them also to be pitied by all those who carried them captive.

Prayer for Deliverance and Doxology

47
Save us, LORD, our God, gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise! ​
48
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting! Let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise 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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