Psalms 106:46

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 106:46 encapsulates a profound truth about God's enduring mercy and sovereign power, even in the midst of His people's deepest suffering and divine judgment. Following a lengthy recounting of Israel's persistent rebellion and subsequent exile, this verse reveals God's compassionate intervention, softening the hearts of their pagan captors to show favor towards His disciplined but not abandoned people. It serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant, demonstrating that His compassion triumphs over the consequences of sin and that He remains actively involved in the lives of His elect, orchestrating circumstances for their ultimate good and restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 106 is the final psalm of Book IV of the Psalter, serving as a communal confession of Israel's historical unfaithfulness alongside a plea for divine mercy. It meticulously chronicles the nation's repeated rebellion against God from the Exodus through the wilderness, the period of the judges, and ultimately their exile among the nations. Unlike Psalm 105, which focuses on God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, Psalm 106 highlights Israel's persistent apostasy, idolatry, and ingratitude. Verse 46 appears within the concluding section of the psalm (verses 40-47), where the psalmist acknowledges God's righteous judgment ("He gave them into the hand of the heathen" - [Psalm 106:41](/psalms/106-41 "Psalm 106:41 - Israel's Captivity")) but then pivots to God's enduring compassion. Despite their deserving punishment, God "looked on their affliction, when he heard their cry" ([Psalm 106:44](/psalms/106-44 "Psalm 106:44 - God Hears Their Cry")), remembering His covenant and relenting according to His great mercy. This verse, therefore, marks a crucial turning point, underscoring God's active involvement in mitigating the harshness of their captivity, even when they were at their lowest point.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 106, and specifically verse 46, is the period of Israel's exile, particularly the Babylonian Captivity (586-538 BC), though it also reflects earlier periods of dispersion and oppression under foreign powers, such as the Assyrian exile. During these times, conquered peoples were often treated with extreme brutality, subjected to forced labor, cultural assimilation, and loss of identity. The idea that their captors would show "pity" or compassion was highly unusual and counter-cultural. Empires like Babylon were known for their ruthlessness. Therefore, any favorable treatment or leniency experienced by the exiles was not due to the inherent benevolence of their captors but was a direct result of divine intervention. This context highlights the extraordinary nature of God's action: He supernaturally influenced the hearts of powerful, pagan rulers and their subjects, demonstrating His absolute control over human affairs and His commitment to preserving His people, even in their darkest hour.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 106:46 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. First, it underscores **Divine Compassion and Mercy**, revealing that even in the midst of deserved judgment and severe discipline, God's fundamental character is one of unfailing love and profound pity for His people. This echoes the consistent biblical portrayal of God as "merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" ([Exodus 34:6](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6 - God's Self-Revelation")). Second, the verse highlights God's **Sovereignty Over Nations**, demonstrating His ability to manipulate the hearts and actions of even hostile foreign powers for His redemptive purposes. This theme is evident throughout the Old Testament, from Pharaoh in [Exodus](/exodus/1 "The Book of Exodus") to Cyrus the Great in [Isaiah 45](/isaiah/45 "Isaiah 45 - God's Sovereignty Over Cyrus"). Finally, it conveys a profound message of **Hope in Adversity**. For a people experiencing the crushing weight of exile, this verse offered assurance that their suffering was not limitless or purposeless, but that God was still actively working on their behalf, providing a glimmer of hope for future restoration and reminding them that God "will not utterly destroy them" ([Leviticus 26:44](/leviticus/26-44 "Leviticus 26:44 - God's Promise Not to Forsake Israel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pitied (Hebrew, _rāḥăm_):** The verb רָחַם (_rāḥăm_) and its related noun רַחֲמִים (_raḥămîm_) convey a deep, visceral, and often maternal compassion or mercy. It is rooted in the word for "womb" (רֶחֶם, _reḥem_), suggesting an intimate, tender, and protective love. This is far more than mere sympathy; it implies a profound, heartfelt yearning and active benevolence towards one in distress. When God "made them to be pitied," it signifies that He instilled in the captors a genuine, profound sense of compassion, moving them beyond simple tolerance to a disposition of active favor and leniency, which was extraordinary given the typical treatment of captives. This divine act highlights God's tender care for His people, even when they were under His discipline.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He made them also to be pitied":** This clause directly attributes the change in the captors' disposition to God's sovereign action. The subject "He" refers unequivocally to Yahweh, the God of Israel. It emphasizes that the compassion shown to the exiles was not a natural inclination of their oppressors but a divinely orchestrated intervention. God actively worked upon the hearts and minds of the foreign powers, demonstrating His absolute control over all human affairs, including the emotions and policies of pagan rulers. This divine influence mitigated the harshness of their captivity, providing a measure of relief and preserving the remnant of Israel.
* **"of all those that carried them captives":** This phrase specifies the recipients of God's influence: the very people who had conquered, deported, and enslaved Israel. The scope "all those" indicates a widespread and pervasive effect, not just isolated acts of kindness. This highlights the miraculous nature of God's intervention, as it transformed the hearts of those who were inherently hostile towards Israel, turning their animosity into a measure of pity. It underscores God's power to work through any means, even through their enemies, to fulfill His purposes and demonstrate His enduring care for His covenant people.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 106:46 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Divine Sovereignty**, where the psalmist explicitly attributes the change in the captors' hearts directly to God ("He made them..."). This highlights God's absolute control over human events, even the disposition of hostile nations, emphasizing that no circumstance, however dire, is outside His purview. There is also an element of **Irony** or **Paradox** at play: the very ones who inflicted suffering are supernaturally moved to show compassion. This unexpected turn of events underscores God's miraculous intervention, demonstrating His ability to reverse human nature and turn enemies into instruments of His mercy. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of **Divine Vindication**, showing that even in judgment, God maintains His character of mercy, preventing the complete annihilation of His people and affirming His covenant faithfulness despite their unfaithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 106:46 serves as a profound theological statement on God's character and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even amidst their sin and His righteous judgment. It illustrates that divine discipline is not punitive abandonment but rather a corrective measure, always tempered by God's enduring mercy. This verse resonates with the broader biblical narrative of God's faithfulness, demonstrating His ability to preserve a remnant and prepare the way for restoration, even when humanity's unfaithfulness should logically lead to utter destruction. It showcases God's sovereign control not only over Israel's destiny but also over the hearts and actions of all nations, proving that His purposes will ultimately prevail.

* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - God's Character of Mercy")
* [Lamentations 3:31-32](/lamentations/3-31 "Lamentations 3:31-32 - God's Compassion Endures")
* [Ezra 9:9](/ezra/9-9 "Ezra 9:9 - God's Favor in Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 106:46 offers profound encouragement and practical lessons for believers navigating challenging seasons. It reminds us that even when we face the consequences of our own choices, or when circumstances feel overwhelming and we are "captive" to difficult situations, God's compassion remains active and His sovereign hand is at work. He can intervene in the most unexpected ways, softening the hearts of those who seem to oppose us, or orchestrating events behind the scenes to bring about relief and restoration. This verse calls us to trust in God's enduring faithfulness, even when His discipline is heavy, knowing that His ultimate desire is always for our good and His glory. It invites us to cultivate a posture of hope, recognizing that our God is able to turn even the darkest of circumstances into opportunities for His mercy to shine, reminding us that no situation is beyond His redemptive reach.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "captive" or overwhelmed by circumstances? How does Psalms 106:46 encourage you to trust God's intervention in these situations?**
* **How does this verse challenge your understanding of divine discipline? Does it lead you to see God's judgment as always tempered by mercy?**
* **Considering God's ability to soften the hearts of captors, how might this inspire your prayers for those in authority or those who seem opposed to you?**

### FAQ

**How did God "make them to be pitied"?**

Answer: God "made them to be pitied" through His divine, supernatural influence on the hearts and minds of the foreign captors. This was not a natural occurrence but a direct act of God's sovereignty, demonstrating His ability to control and direct the will of human beings, even those who were hostile to His people. While the Bible doesn't detail the exact mechanism, it could have involved various means: perhaps through specific individuals like Daniel or Esther gaining favor, through the captors observing the integrity or unique character of the exiles, or through a direct, internal prompting of the Holy Spirit on the hearts of rulers and officials. The text emphasizes that it was God's doing, not the inherent kindness of the Babylonians or other empires, that led to this unexpected compassion. This divine intervention ensured the preservation of Israel and mitigated the harshness of their exile, preparing them for eventual return, as seen in the decrees of Persian kings like Cyrus ([Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")).

**Does this verse imply that God is responsible for the captivity itself?**

Answer: Psalms 106, in its entirety, makes it clear that Israel's captivity was a direct consequence of their own persistent sin, idolatry, and rebellion against God's covenant. The psalm repeatedly states that God "gave them into the hand of the heathen" ([Psalm 106:41](/psalms/106-41 "Psalm 106:41 - Israel's Captivity")) because of their unfaithfulness. Therefore, God is responsible for allowing the captivity as a form of righteous judgment and discipline. However, Psalms 106:46 highlights God's *mercy within* that judgment. While He allowed the captivity as a consequence, He did not abandon His people to utter destruction. Instead, He actively intervened to soften the conditions of their exile, demonstrating His enduring compassion and faithfulness even in the midst of their deserved punishment. This shows God's layered sovereignty: He permits the consequences of sin, but also actively works within those consequences to bring about His ultimate redemptive purposes.

**What practical hope does this verse offer to those experiencing difficult circumstances today?**

Answer: This verse offers profound hope by reminding us that God's sovereign hand is at work even in our most challenging and seemingly hopeless situations. Just as He influenced the hearts of pagan captors, God can supernaturally intervene in our circumstances, softening the hearts of those who might be against us, opening doors where there seem to be none, or providing unexpected favor. It teaches us that our "captivity" to illness, financial hardship, relational conflict, or other trials is not beyond God's reach. We can trust that God, in His compassion, can mitigate the severity of our trials and orchestrate events for our good, even when we are experiencing the consequences of our own actions or simply enduring the brokenness of the world. It encourages us to pray for divine intervention and to look for God's mercy in unexpected places, knowing that His faithfulness endures even when ours falters. This echoes the promise that "all things work together for good for those who love God" ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 106:46, depicting God's compassionate intervention to soften the hearts of Israel's captors, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and perfect expression of divine pity found in Jesus Christ. While God showed mercy by mitigating the physical suffering of His people in exile, Christ came to deliver humanity from a far deeper and more insidious spiritual captivity—the bondage of sin and death ([Romans 6:6](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6 - Freedom from Sin's Slavery")). Just as God supernaturally influenced pagan rulers, so too did He orchestrate the entire course of human history, culminating in the incarnation of His Son, who "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Purpose of Christ's Coming")). Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full weight of God's righteous judgment for humanity's rebellion, experiencing the ultimate "captivity" of the cross, yet through His sacrifice, He secured true freedom and restoration for all who believe ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Freedom in Christ")). The pity shown to Israel in exile was a temporary reprieve; Christ's work offers eternal liberation and the promise of a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")), demonstrating God's boundless compassion and His ultimate victory over all forms of bondage.

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

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.