Psalms 106:46

He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.

He made {H5414} them also to be pitied {H7356} of {H6440} all those that carried them captives {H7617}.

causing them to be treated with compassion by all who had taken them captive.

He made them objects of compassion to all who held them captive.

He made them also to be pitied Of all those that carried them captive.

Commentary

Psalms 106:46 (KJV) states, "He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives." This verse offers a powerful glimpse into God's sovereign hand, demonstrating His mercy and compassion even in the midst of His people's suffering and judgment during their exile.

Context

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, recounting the long and often tragic history of Israel's rebellion against God, from the Exodus through the wilderness wanderings, the period of the judges, and ultimately to their exile. The psalm serves as a confession of Israel's persistent unfaithfulness and God's enduring patience and steadfast love. Verse 46 appears near the end of this lament, after recounting numerous instances where God's people provoked Him, leading to divine judgment, including their dispersion among the nations (Psalm 106:27). Despite their sins and the consequences, the psalm notes that God still heard their cry and remembered His covenant (Psalm 106:44), illustrating His profound faithfulness.

Key Themes

  • Divine Compassion and Mercy: The core message is God's profound compassion. Even when His people were disciplined through exile and captivity, God did not abandon them. He moved the hearts of their captors to show them favor, demonstrating that His mercy triumphs over judgment. This reflects a consistent theme of God's character throughout Scripture, as seen in Lamentations 3:22-23.
  • Sovereignty Over Nations: This verse highlights God's absolute sovereignty and His ability to influence the hearts of even pagan rulers and nations. He is not merely the God of Israel but the Lord of all creation, able to work His purposes through any means, even through their enemies, paving the way for the eventual restoration of Israel from Babylonian captivity.
  • Hope in Adversity: For the exiled Israelites, this verse was a beacon of hope. It reminded them that their suffering was not without limits and that God was still working on their behalf, softening the hearts of those who held them captive.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "pitied" is rachamim (Χ¨Φ·Χ—Φ²ΧžΦ΄Χ™Χ), which comes from the root racham. This word signifies a deep, visceral compassion, often likened to the tenderness of a parent for their child or a mother's love. It goes beyond mere sympathy, implying a heartfelt, profound mercy. Thus, "He made them to be pitied" suggests God instilled a profound sense of compassion, not just a superficial pity, in the hearts of their captors, leading to more favorable treatment during their exile.

Practical Application

Psalms 106:46 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • God's Faithfulness Endures: Even when we face consequences for our own unfaithfulness or disobedience, God's underlying character of mercy and compassion remains. He does not abandon His people but seeks to restore them.
  • Hope in Difficult Circumstances: When we find ourselves in challenging situations, perhaps feeling "captive" to circumstances, this verse reminds us that God can intervene in unexpected ways, even turning the hearts of those who seem against us to bring about a favorable outcome.
  • Prayer for Deliverance: It encourages us to pray for divine intervention and mercy, trusting that God can work in the most unlikely scenarios to bring about relief and restoration, reflecting His unwavering love for His children.
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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 42:12

    And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.

  • Ezra 9:9

    For we [were] bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

  • 1 Kings 8:50

    And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:

  • Jeremiah 15:11

    The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee [well] in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.

  • Nehemiah 1:11

    O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:9

    For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children [shall find] compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God [is] gracious and merciful, and will not turn away [his] face from you, if ye return unto him.
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