Psalms 106 - Printer Friendly

What does Psalms 106 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

Psalm 105 explained God's faithfulness and ended with the word hallelujah. This psalm opens with "hallelujah" and goes on to describe Israel's repeated unfaithfulness. God is to be praised because of His incredibly merciful, loyal love for Israel. Despite their persistent sin, He preserved the nation and kept them from utter destruction. This is the last entry in "book Four" of the psalms (Psalms 90—106).

The psalm begins with appeal to worship and honor the Lord God. This tone of appreciation is the foundation of the rest of the song, most of which recalls Israel's repeated failures. Despite these sins and errors, the Lord has made good on His promises, not allowing the nation to be destroyed (Psalm 106:1–5).

Israel was rescued from slavery in Egypt thanks to multiple spectacular miracles. Despite this, when the people were caught between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea, they assumed they would die (Exodus 14). Instead, God parted the waters (Exodus 14:16, 21–22) and drowned the entire enemy horde (Exodus 14:17–18, 23–28). This brought the people back to faith, but only temporarily (Psalm 106:6–12).

While travelling in the wilderness, Israel often complained and even rebelled against God. Despite having miraculous food from heaven, they demanded meat and were punished with sickness (Numbers 11:4, 32–33). Several families were destroyed in Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16). Perhaps worst of all, the people formed an idol and worshipped it while Moses was busy (Exodus 32:2–5). That nearly led to the death of the entire people (Exodus 32:9–10). However, God kept the people intact and alive (Psalm 106:13–23).

Israel arrived at the borders of the Promised Land. It was just as wonderful as God had promised (Exodus 6:8; Numbers 13:27; 14:7–9). However, the people were stubborn and fearful (Numbers 14:1–4). God forced them back into the wilderness, wandering forty years until they could return (Numbers 14:30–33). That He did not destroy them entirely is evidence of His mercy and loyal love (Psalm 106:24–27).

While in the wilderness, Israel began to mix with the pagan Moabites. This even led to worshipping an idol, Baal (Numbers 25:1–3). God sent a plague for punishment, which ended when one of the priests graphically killed an Israeli man and a Moabite woman (Numbers 25:4–9). The people complained about water at Meribah (Numbers 20:2–5). That incident led to Moses' own exclusion (Numbers 20:10–13) from the Promised Land (Psalm 106:28–33).

Once they returned to Canaan, the people failed to follow God's instructions. Rather than destroying the deeply wicked Canaanites, Israel instead mirrored the pagans' bad habits. This began a recurring cycle of idolatry, oppression, repentance, and rescue which lasted for generations (Judges 2:16–19). Again, the purpose of describing these events is a reminder of how loyal and loving God is (Psalm 106:34–46).

After celebrating the Lord's loyal love, despite so many human failures, the psalmist once again prays for Israel's salvation (Psalm 106:47).

The final verse of this psalm may be a separate note, meant to separate "Book Four" and "Book Five." Similar statements (Psalm 41:13, 72:19; 89:52) are made between other "Books" (Psalm 106:48).

Psalm 106:1–5 prepares the listener to appreciate the Lord's loyal, merciful love. This is tied to the salvation of the nation of Israel. The following sections will use Israel's many historical failures as evidence of God's patient care. Despite these mistakes, the people still exist and are still God's chosen ones.

Psalm 106:6–12 looks back on Israel's fear and doubt before crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:11–12). The nation was rescued from slavery through miracles (Exodus 3:20; 12:41). Yet the people assumed they would die under Egyptian hands. When God intervened (Exodus 14:30–31), the people once again believed.

Psalm 106:13–23 explains how Israel's faith faded quickly after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 14:30–31). They demanded meat, for which God sent a sickness (Numbers 11:4, 32–33). There was the incident of Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16) for which God destroyed several families. The people even worshipped an idol they made while Moses was talking to God (Exodus 32:2–5). For that, the people were nearly destroyed (Exodus 32:9–10) but God spared them once again.

Psalm 106:24–27 describes how Israel stubbornly refused to enter Canaan as commanded by God (Numbers 14:1–4). For that, God condemned an entire generation to wandering before their children could enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:30–33). Yet He did not destroy the nation completely.

Psalm 106:28–33 records Israel's sin in mingling with the pagan Moabites, worshipping the idol Baal (Numbers 25:1–3). This resulted in another plague (Numbers 25:9) and an act of spectacular violence (Numbers 25:7–8). Also mentioned is the nation's faithlessness and complaining at Meribah (Numbers 20:2–5). Even Moses fell into sin there, resulting in His own exclusion from entering Canaan (Numbers 20:12–13). Still, the Lord kept the nation alive and intact.

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.

Psalm 106:47–48 calls on God to rescue the nation of Israel once more, so they can continue to give Him praise. This has been the theme of Psalm 106: worship of the Lord inspired by His forgiving, merciful, loyal love for Israel. The final verse resembles other comments made at the end of the various "Books" of the Psalms (41:13; 72:19; 89:52); this is the end of "Book Four."

Chapter Summary:

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.

Chapter Context:

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 12/21/2024 12:15:26 PM