Psalms 106:45

KJV

And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he remembered {H2142} for them his covenant {H1285}, and repented {H5162} according to the multitude {H7230} of his mercies {H2617}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For their sakes he kept in mind his covenant and in his limitless grace relented,

Berean Standard Bible

And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion.

American Standard Version

And he remembered for them his covenant, And repented according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 106:45 stands as a profound testament to the enduring faithfulness and boundless compassion of God, particularly in the face of His people's persistent rebellion and unfaithfulness throughout their history. It encapsulates a pivotal moment where divine mercy triumphs over deserved judgment, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, even when His people have repeatedly broken their side of the agreement. This verse offers a powerful declaration that God's character is ultimately defined by His steadfast love and a willingness to relent from wrath, driven by the immeasurable depth of His compassion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 106 is the final psalm in Book IV of the Psalter, serving as a lengthy historical psalm that recounts Israel's tumultuous relationship with God from the Exodus to the Babylonian exile. It functions as a national confession of sin and a lament over the consequences of disobedience, mirroring Psalm 105 which celebrates God's faithfulness. The psalm meticulously details numerous instances of Israel's rebellion—from grumbling in the wilderness and idolatry at Sinai to their disobedience in Canaan and subsequent apostasy. Verse 45 marks a crucial turning point within this narrative of human failure, shifting the focus from Israel's sin and God's judgment (as seen in the preceding verses, e.g., [Psalms 106:40-43](/psalms/106-40 "Psalms 106:40-43 - God's Anger and Israel's Oppression")) to God's compassionate response. It is an interjection of hope and a reminder of God's unchanging character amidst a litany of human failings, setting the stage for the psalm's concluding prayer for restoration in [Psalms 106:47](/psalms/106-47 "Psalms 106:47 - Prayer for Deliverance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 106 spans centuries of Israelite history, from their miraculous deliverance from Egypt (e.g., [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - Crossing the Red Sea")) and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai (e.g., [Exodus 19-20](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19-20 - The Sinai Covenant")) through their wilderness wanderings, the conquest of Canaan, the period of the Judges, and the monarchy, culminating in the exile. Throughout this period, Israel repeatedly broke the Mosaic Covenant, which was a conditional agreement based on obedience. Culturally, the concept of a "covenant" (Hebrew: *berit*) was a foundational element of ancient Near Eastern societies, signifying a solemn, binding agreement often sealed with oaths and rituals. God's covenant with Israel, particularly the Abrahamic Covenant (e.g., [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham")), was unique in its unilateral, unconditional promises, while the Mosaic Covenant (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")) outlined the terms for blessed life in the land. The psalm's recounting of God "remembering" His covenant and "repenting" highlights His adherence to His promises and His compassionate nature, which transcends human legalistic expectations.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 106 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **God's Unwavering Covenant Loyalty**, demonstrating that despite Israel's repeated breaches of their covenant obligations, God's commitment to His own solemn promises, particularly those made to Abraham and David, remains steadfast. His remembrance is not merely recollection but an active, purposeful commitment to His word, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Faithfulness to His Covenant"). Secondly, the verse highlights **Divine Compassion and Relenting Mercy**. The idea of God "repenting" (relenting) according to His "multitude of mercies" reveals a core aspect of His character: His profound compassion (e.g., [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Self-Revelation")). This mercy is not a weakness but a powerful attribute that often triumphs over deserved judgment, offering hope and a path to restoration even in the deepest moments of national sin and suffering. Lastly, it implicitly addresses the theme of **Human Unfaithfulness and Divine Patience**, showcasing God's incredible patience with His wayward people, enduring their provocations and offering opportunities for repentance and restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remembered (Hebrew, _zakhar'_):** This word signifies far more than a mere mental recollection. When applied to God, *zakhar* implies an active, purposeful recall that leads to decisive action. It means to "call to mind for the purpose of acting," or to "take notice of" with a view to fulfilling a promise or intervening. In this context, God's "remembering" His covenant means He actively chose to uphold His promises and obligations to Israel, despite their failure to uphold theirs, demonstrating His enduring faithfulness and initiating a change in their circumstances.
* **Repented (Hebrew, _nacham'_):** When used of God, *nacham* does not imply regret, error, or a change in God's perfect character or eternal plan, as it might for humans. Instead, it conveys the idea of "relenting," "feeling sorrow," or "changing a course of action" concerning a previously declared intention or judgment. It often indicates a compassionate turning from a path of judgment to one of mercy, frequently in response to the people's suffering or a mediator's intercession. Here, it signifies God's decision to withhold or mitigate the full extent of deserved punishment, moved by His profound compassion.
* **Mercies (Hebrew, _rachamim'_):** This plural noun, derived from the word for "womb" (*rechem*), describes a deep, tender, visceral compassion, akin to a mother's innate love and pity for her child. It speaks of an overflowing, inherent quality of God's character that moves Him to act graciously, to show pity, and to forgive. The "multitude" of His mercies emphasizes their boundless and inexhaustible nature, forming the ultimate basis for His decision to relent from judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he remembered for them his covenant":** This clause highlights God's active and faithful commitment to the solemn promises He made to His people, particularly the unconditional aspects of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. Despite Israel's repeated violations of the Mosaic covenant, God's character is such that He remains true to His word. His "remembering" is an act of sovereign grace, where He takes the initiative to intervene on behalf of His people, not because they deserved it, but because He is bound by His own divine oath and character. This remembrance leads to a change in their plight, demonstrating His steadfast love.
* **"and repented according to the multitude of his mercies":** This second clause explains the motivation and nature of God's action. His "repenting" (relenting from judgment) is not arbitrary but is directly proportional to the "multitude" of His inherent compassion and loving-kindness. It means that God's decision to spare or restore His people was not based on their merit or repentance (which was often lacking), but solely on the overflowing abundance of His own tender mercies. This underscores that God's ultimate disposition towards His covenant people is one of profound compassion, which consistently triumphs over His righteous anger and the demands of justice.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "he remembered" and especially "repented," attributing human-like actions and emotions to God. While God does not forget or change His mind in a human sense of fallibility, this language helps human readers grasp His active engagement and responsiveness to His creation. The phrase "multitude of his mercies" utilizes **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration for emphasis, to underscore the immeasurable and overflowing nature of God's compassion. It suggests an inexhaustible supply of divine pity. Furthermore, the entire psalm, leading up to this verse, sets up a stark **Contrast** between Israel's consistent unfaithfulness, rebellion, and deserving of judgment, and God's consistent, unwavering faithfulness, patience, and ultimate display of mercy. This contrast magnifies the grace inherent in God's remembering His covenant and relenting from wrath.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 106:45 provides a profound theological anchor, asserting that God's covenant faithfulness and boundless mercy are the ultimate grounds for His interaction with humanity, particularly in the face of sin. It reveals that while God is just and righteous in His judgments, His deepest inclination towards His covenant people is one of restorative compassion. This verse underscores the biblical truth that God's character is immutable, yet His actions can change in response to human circumstances, not due to a change in His essence, but as an expression of His consistent love and justice. It teaches us that even when humanity fails spectacularly, God's redemptive plan is secured by His own self-imposed promises and the inexhaustible wellspring of His tender mercies, offering a continuous pathway for reconciliation and hope.

* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Compassion and Justice")
* [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Faithfulness to His Covenant")
* [Romans 3:23-24](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23-24 - Justification by Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 106:45 offers immense comfort and a powerful call to humility and trust for believers today. It assures us that God's faithfulness is not contingent on our perfect performance but is rooted in His unchanging character and His eternal covenant promises. Just as He remembered His covenant with ancient Israel despite their chronic rebellion, so too does He remain faithful to His New Covenant promises, which are secured in Christ. This verse invites us to rest in the knowledge that God's mercies are truly "new every morning," providing hope even in our moments of failure and weakness. It encourages us to approach God with confidence, not based on our own merit, but on the "multitude of His mercies," knowing that His ultimate desire is to redeem and restore. This understanding should cultivate a deep sense of gratitude, motivate genuine repentance, and inspire a renewed commitment to living in accordance with His will, trusting in His unfailing love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "remembering" His covenant, even in the face of Israel's unfaithfulness, deepen your trust in His promises for your own life?**
* **In what ways does the concept of God "repenting" according to His "multitude of mercies" challenge or affirm your understanding of divine justice and compassion?**
* **How can the assurance of God's unwavering faithfulness and abundant mercy encourage you to pursue genuine repentance and renewed obedience in areas where you have fallen short?**

### FAQ
**Does God literally "repent" or change His mind in the same way humans do?**

Answer: No, when the Bible states that God "repented" (Hebrew: *nacham*), it does not imply that God makes mistakes, has regrets, or changes His perfect character or eternal plan. This is an example of **anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions or emotions to God to help us understand His interaction with humanity. In the context of Psalms 106:45, and similar verses, "repented" means God "relented" or "changed His course of action" concerning a previously declared intention or judgment. For instance, after threatening judgment, God might relent from that judgment due to His boundless compassion or in response to His people's repentance or a mediator's prayer, as seen in [Exodus 32:14](/exodus/32-14 "Exodus 32:14 - God Relents from Disaster"). His *will* does not change, but His *disposition* or *action* towards His people can shift from wrath to mercy, always consistent with His holy and loving nature.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 106:45 finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The psalmist's declaration that God "remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies" perfectly foreshadows the New Covenant established through the sacrificial work of Christ. While Israel repeatedly broke the Old Covenant, God's unwavering covenant faithfulness culminated in sending His Son, Jesus, who perfectly fulfilled the Law and bore the full weight of humanity's unfaithfulness. It is through Christ that God's "multitude of mercies" is most profoundly displayed, as He "did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all" ([Romans 8:32](/romans/8-32 "Romans 8:32 - God's Love in Christ")). Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), embodying God's decision to "relent" from the judgment justly due to us, not because of our merit, but because of His infinite love and compassion. The New Covenant in Christ's blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in Christ's Blood")) is the ultimate expression of God remembering His promises, a covenant no longer dependent on human obedience for its security, but guaranteed by the perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice of God's own Son. In Him, God's mercy triumphs definitively over judgment, securing eternal salvation for all who believe ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love While We Were Sinners")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 105:8

¶ He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word [which] he commanded to a thousand generations.

Judges 2:18

And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

Psalms 51:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Exodus 32:14

And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

Lamentations 3:32

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

Psalms 69:16

Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness [is] good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

Leviticus 26:40

¶ If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;