Psalms 106:45

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Psalms 106:45 is a profound declaration of God's unwavering faithfulness and boundless compassion, even in the face of His people's repeated unfaithfulness. It serves as a powerful reminder of divine mercy triumphing over judgment.

Context

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, recounting the long and often tragic history of Israel's rebellion against God from the Exodus through their wilderness wanderings, their settlement in Canaan, and subsequent periods of idolatry and disobedience. The preceding verses detail numerous instances where Israel provoked God, leading to His righteous judgment and dispersion among the nations. Verse 45 marks a crucial turning point, highlighting God's character as one who remembers His promises despite His people's persistent failings. This recounting serves not only as a confessional lament but also as a testament to God's enduring patience and love for His covenant people.

Key Themes

  • God's Unwavering Covenant Loyalty: The phrase "he remembered for them his covenant" underscores God's steadfast commitment to the solemn promises He made to their forefathers, particularly the Abrahamic covenant. Even when Israel broke their side of the agreement through disobedience, God's faithfulness to His own word remained the foundation of His relationship with them.
  • Divine Compassion and Relenting Mercy: The declaration that God "repented according to the multitude of his mercies" highlights His boundless compassion. It's not that God changes His mind in a human sense of regret or imperfection, but rather He relents from the deserved punishment or judgment due to His deep love and pity for His people. This demonstrates a core aspect of God's character: His mercy triumphs over judgment.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "covenant" is berit (ื‘ึผึฐืจึดื™ืช), signifying a binding agreement or pact, often initiated by God with solemn obligations and promises.
  • The term "repented" comes from the Hebrew nacham (ื ึธื—ึทื). When applied to God, it typically means to "relent," "feel sorrow," or "change His course of action" concerning a previously declared intention or judgment, often in response to prayer or a change in circumstances. It never implies moral regret or a change in God's perfect character, but rather a change in His disposition or action towards His people.
  • "Mercies" translates rachamim (ืจึทื—ึฒืžึดื™ื), a plural form often associated with a mother's deep, compassionate love for her child, derived from the word for "womb." It speaks to an innate, tender pity and profound compassion that moves God to act graciously.

Practical Application

This verse offers immense hope and comfort for believers today:

  • Hope in God's Faithfulness: Just as God remembered His ancient covenant with Israel despite their failures, He remains faithful to His new covenant in Christ. Believers can find assurance that God's promises are secure, regardless of their own imperfections or shortcomings.
  • Understanding God's Character: It teaches us about God's incredible patience, His willingness to forgive, and His profound love that extends beyond our deserving. His mercies are indeed "new every morning" (Lamentations 3:22-23).
  • Call to Trust and Repentance: This passage encourages us to trust in God's character, knowing that His ultimate desire is to show compassion and uphold His redemptive plan. It also implicitly calls us to respond to such mercy with genuine repentance and a renewed commitment to His ways.
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 105:8

    ยถ 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

    ยถ 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

    ยถ 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;