Psalms 106:47

Psalm 106:47 (KJV) is a poignant prayer for deliverance and restoration, serving as a concluding plea within a psalm that recounts Israel's long history of rebellion against God and His enduring faithfulness. It encapsulates the deep longing of a people for God's intervention to bring them back from dispersion and allow them to fulfill their purpose of worship.

Context

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, detailing the numerous instances where Israel rebelled against the LORD, from their time in the wilderness after the Exodus through their settlement in the Promised Land, culminating in their eventual exile. The psalm meticulously lists their unfaithfulness, idolatry, and ingratitude, yet it also highlights God's persistent mercy and covenant faithfulness. Verse 47, therefore, comes as a prayer of repentance and hope, acknowledging the nation's scattered state among the "heathen" (foreign nations) as a consequence of their sin, but appealing to God's character for salvation and reunion. This plea for gathering echoes prophetic promises of restoration found in books like Jeremiah 29:14 and Ezekiel, offering a glimpse of future hope for Israel's return from captivity.

Key Themes

• Divine Deliverance and Restoration: The primary request is for God to "Save us" and "gather us." This highlights God's sovereign power to rescue His people from oppression and bring them back together, physically and spiritually, from their dispersed state. It speaks to the hope of a unified, restored community.
• Confession and Dependence: The address "O LORD our God" signifies a recognition of their covenant relationship with God, despite their failures. It's a humble acknowledgment that only He has the power and authority to deliver them, demonstrating utter dependence on His mercy and grace.
• Purpose of Salvation: Worship and Praise: The ultimate goal of being saved and gathered is explicitly stated: "to give thanks unto thy holy name, [and] to triumph in thy praise." Deliverance is not merely for comfort but for the glorification of God. The intention is to publicly acknowledge God's greatness and faithfulness. This resonates with the psalmist's frequent call to praise, as seen in Psalm 115:1, "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory."

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew word for "Save" is yasha (יָשַׁע), which means to deliver, rescue, or bring salvation. It implies a strong act of intervention by God.
• "Gather us" comes from the Hebrew qabats (קָבַץ), meaning to assemble, collect, or gather together. This term emphasizes the dispersed nature of the people among foreign nations and the need for a divine act to bring them back into unity.
• "Heathen" is goyim (גּוֹיִם) in Hebrew, referring to the nations or Gentiles. It highlights the state of exile and separation from their homeland and covenant community.
• "Triumph" (hishtabach - הִשְׁתַּבַּח) implies boasting in or glorifying God. It's not just quiet gratitude but a public, joyful declaration of God's praiseworthy acts and character.

Practical Application

Psalm 106:47 remains a powerful prayer for believers today. It reminds us that:

• God is Our Deliverer: In times of spiritual or physical distress, we can appeal to God for salvation and deliverance, trusting in His power to rescue us from whatever "heathen" circumstances or spiritual enemies may surround us.
• Prayer for the Scattered: It encourages us to pray for those who are spiritually or physically scattered, marginalized, or oppressed, asking God to gather them into His fold and bring them into a place of safety and worship.
• Salvation Leads to Worship: Our ultimate response to God's saving grace should be profound gratitude and enthusiastic praise. Our deliverance from sin and its consequences is so that we may live lives that give thanks to His holy name and triumph in His praise, reflecting His glory to the world.
• Hope in God's Faithfulness: Even when we acknowledge our own failures and shortcomings, this verse provides hope, reminding us that God's faithfulness endures, and He is always ready to hear the contrite heart and restore those who call upon Him.