Psalm 106 will end the fourth book
of Psalms. This is yet another historical Psalm that traces the past deeds of
Israel. Although it started out with the same vein like Psalm 105 to trace
Israel’s history, it has a very different purpose. The previous Psalm talks
about God’s faithful dealings with them, this Psalm deals with the unfaithfulness
of God’s people, despite His graciousness. Despite their rebelliousness, God
would consider His relationship with them and showed patience and justice. We
can see from this Psalm how they spurned the overtures of His lovingkindness
over and over again. But God, great in mercy and love, kept on patiently dealing
with their waywardness to draw them to Himself. Verse 47 indicates a call to
regather them from among the nations. This had led many to conclude that the
backdrop of this Psalm could be during the Babylonian captivity.
This long Psalm again began with a
call to praise God and give thanks to Him. He had been undoubtedly merciful and
gracious to His people. Verse 2 suggests that it’s not possible to exhaust
speaking about His great and wonderful deeds. Time would be inadequate even to
begin praising Him. Verses 3-5 implied that the Psalmist had sought to live
justly and righteously. He yearned to enjoy the favor that God would shower on
Israel, His chosen nation. And he suggested that only with living justly and
rightly could he expect to be blessed favorably by God, and thus to experience
His salvation like the rest of God’s people.
Verses 6-46 is a long confession of
Israel’s past sins. They had rebelled against the Lord and demonstrated their
unbelief in Him so often. From the moment they left Egypt, the journey had been
interspersed with distrust and disobedience. Verses 7-12 described their
departure from Egypt. Even at the edge of the Red Sea, they vacillated. God
intervened and opened a path for them, and then destroyed the pursuing
Egyptians. It was only when they saw how God had protected them did they believe
His word and sang His praise. Verses 13-23 described their wilderness
wandering. They had quickly forgotten how God had delivered them from the enemy
at the Red Sea. They tested Him over and over. We see a summary of what had
been written about by Moses in the Exodus. Had not Moses interceded for them
God would have destroyed them at that point.
Verses 24-27 narrated what took
place in Kadesh Barnea, where they refused to go into the Promised Land despite
God’s assurance. Their unbelief in God’s word and their murmuring led to God
promising that they would not enter the land but would be scattered. In verses
28-31, their failing at Shittim were highlighted. They were led astray into eating
food offered to idols by Balak and Balaam. All in all they had failed to live
up to God’s instruction and expectation of them, even in the land of Canaan.
God had never failed to provide for all their needs, yet they rebelled,
entertained idols of the land, and polluted themselves. Many times they tried
and tested the Lord and worn His patience thin. Yet each time when they cried
to Him, His faithful nature would not allow Him to ignore their distress. He
always remembered His covenant with them and would deliver them.
In the last two verses, the
Psalmist then sent his petition for God to save His people and gather them
again as a nation. This would enable them to thank Him and give glory to His
name. The Psalmist then concluded the fourth book of Psalm with a benediction
of praise to the Lord. While this Psalm
highlighted the rebelliousness and unfaithfulness of the people, the key
message is that God remained faithful to His Covenant and to His people. Our
God is not only powerful, He is also faithful and His mercy endures forever. Let
us celebrate this great God and praise His glorious name forever! Amen!
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