Good morning,
Psalm 106 shows us the goodness of God and the sinfulness of the people.
Psalm 106
We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. (Psalm 106:6)
Call to Praise and the Blessed (1-3)
Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise? 3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
Psalm 106 begins with a call to praise the Lord, reminding us of His enduring love and faithfulness: “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 106:1). This sets the tone for the entire psalm, encouraging us to reflect on God’s unwavering commitment to His people throughout history. By remembering His faithfulness, we can find strength and hope in our daily lives, knowing that He is always with us. Those who practice justice and righteousness are declared blessed right now, not just in the future. (https://biblehub.com/kjv/psalms/106.htm)
Personal Plea for Grace (4–5)
4 Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.
The writer moves from public praise to a private cry: “Remember me, O LORD…,” longing to share in the welfare, joy, and heritage of God’s chosen ones. (https://biblehub.com/kjv/psalms/106.htm)
Rebellion and Redemption at the Red Sea (6–12)
6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.11 And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.12 Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.
The psalmist confesses the sins of the people, recognizing that we have sinned like our fathers; we have done wrong and acted wickedly (Psalm 106:6). This acknowledgment is crucial for repentance and restoration.
Israel’s long record of sin begins: “We have sinned with our fathers.” Even at the Red Sea they rebelled, yet God “saved them for the sake of His name,” parting the waters and destroying Pharaoh’s army. Faith briefly flared: “Then they believed His words; they sang His praise.” (https://biblehub.com/kjv/psalms/106.htm)
Cravings, Complaints, and Consequences (13–18)
13 They soon forgot his works; they waited not for his counsel:14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.16 They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the Lord.17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram.18 And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.
Quickly forgetting, they craved in the wilderness, tested God, and received their request “but sent leanness into their soul.” Envy of Moses and Aaron led to the earth swallowing Dathan and Abiram, and fire consuming the rebels. (https://biblehub.com/kjv/psalms/106.htm)
The Golden Calf and Moses’ Intercession (19–23)
19 They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.20 Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. 21 They forgat God, their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea. 23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
At Sinai they made a calf, “exchanged their Glory for the image of a grass-eating ox.” God threatened to destroy, but “Moses His chosen one stood in the breach” and turned back His wrath.
The psalm highlights the role of intercessors like Moses, who stood in the breach before Him to turn His wrath away from destroying them (Psalm 106:23). This underscores the power of prayer and advocacy. (https://biblehub.com/kjv/psalms/106.htm)
Refusal of the Promised Land (24–27)
24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:25 But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord.26 Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:27 To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.
Despising the pleasant land, they refused to trust God’s promise, grumbled in their tents, and were sentenced to fall in the desert while their children would enter Canaan.
The people despised the pleasant land and did not believe God’s promise, leading to their wandering in the wilderness. “They despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His promise” (https://biblehub.com/kjv/psalms/106.htm)
Baal Peor and the Zeal of Phinehas (28–31)
28 They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.
Israel yoked themselves to Baal of Peor; a plague struck until Phinehas “intervened, and the plague was restrained,” his zeal “credited to him as righteousness for endless generations.” (https://biblehub.com/kjv/psalms/106.htm)
Anger at Meribah (32–33)
32 They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:33 Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.
At Meribah they provoked God so severely that Moses “spoke rashly with his lips,” costing him entry into the land. (https://biblehub.com/kjv/psalms/106.htm)
Compromise, Idolatry, and Child Sacrifice (34–39)
34 They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the Lord commanded them:35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,38 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.39 Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
They failed to destroy the nations, mingled with them, served idols, and even sacrificed sons and daughters to demons, shedding innocent blood. (https://biblehub.com/kjv/psalms/106.htm)
Judgment Yet Mercy (40-46)
40 Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.41 And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.42 Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.43 Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.46 He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.
God’s anger burned, He handed them to their foes; yet time after time “He took note of their distress,” heard their cry, and “relented according to the greatness of His loving devotion.” (https://biblehub.com/kjv/psalms/106.htm)
Prayer for Salvation and Final Praise (47-48)
47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.48 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord.
The psalmist pleads, “Save us, O LORD our God…,” gathering His people for praise. The congregation answers: “Blessed be the LORD… Let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Praise the LORD!” (https://biblehub.com/kjv/psalms/106.htm)
Conclusion
The psalm details the consequences of Israel’s disobedience, such as being scattered among the nations: “He handed them over to the nations, and those who hated them ruled over them” (Psalm 106:41). This theme underscores the seriousness of sin.
Despite their rebellion, God shows mercy: “Nevertheless He regarded their affliction when He heard their cry” (Psalm 106:44). The Hebrew root “racham” (to have compassion) highlights God’s merciful nature.
The psalm reflects on the covenant relationship between God and Israel: “He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion” (Psalm 106:45). The Hebrew word “berith” (covenant) signifies this enduring bond.
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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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