Psalm 106:46 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He caused them to be pitied by all those who held them captive.

NIV: He caused all who held them captive to show them mercy.

NASB: He also made them objects of compassion In the presence of all their captors.

CSB: He caused them to be pitied before all their captors.

NLT: He even caused their captors to treat them with kindness.

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

NKJV: He also made them to be pitied By all those who carried them away captive.

Psalm 106:34–46 summarizes the book of Judges. When Israel first began the conquest of the Promised Land, all was well. Yet they soon fell short of God's commands and were corrupted by the pagan Canaanites. This began a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and rescue that continued for many generations (Judges 2:16–19). Through all those trials, the Lord continued to preserve His people—a demonstration of His loyal, merciful love.

The psalmist calls on the people to worship God because of His loyal, merciful love for the nation of Israel. Evidence of this love is given in the form of Israel's many national sins. These included many acts of faithlessness during the exodus from Egypt, and cycles of idolatry during the conquest of Canaan. Even so, the Lord preserved the nation rather than destroying it. The song closes with another prayer for rescue and a blessing directed at God.

This is the last entry in what is often called "Book Four" of the psalms (Psalms 90—106). The psalm focuses on confession and humility; many reminders are given about Israel's failures compared to God's faithfulness. Notable mentions are the idol at Horeb (Exodus 32), the first arrival at Canaan (Numbers 14), and the era of Israel's judges (Judges 2:16–19). Despite these sins, the Lord maintained Israel's existence, even as He brought them punishment. Similar confessions appear in Isaiah 63, Ezekiel 20, and Nehemiah 9.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/23/2024 9:25:44 AM