Psalm 106 — Save Us O LORD
Introduction: The opening verse of this Psalm is the same as 1 Chronicles 16:34, and the closing two verses are the same as 1 Chronicles 16:35–36. Psalm 105 borrows its first 15 verses from 1 Chronicles 16, verses 8 through 22, and all of the verses in Psalm 96 parallel verses 23 to 33 of that same chapter. Psalm 106 reviews some of the same situations as those in Psalm 105 as the LORD was dealing with Israel, but the details differ slightly. These three Psalms — 96, 105, and 106 — are all in book four of the Psalms.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the American King James Version.
A — The Lord’s Mercy Endures Forever
Psalm 106 “1 Praise you the LORD. O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever. 2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can show forth all his praise? 3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that does righteousness at all times. 4 Remember me, O LORD, with the favor that you bore to your people: O visit me with your salvation; 5 That I may see the good of your chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance.”
Comments: The mercy of the LORD endures forever and therefore is available to all generations, and will never be overcome by the volume of sin that it must cancel for those who turn to the LORD for salvation from the just condemnation of their sin. This should elicit great praise and continual thanksgiving for his immeasurable goodness. Even if our words seemed to be endless, we would not begin to approach any significant description of his mighty acts, or utter sufficient praise to his name. My prayer is that you LORD will remember me with the same favor you gave to your chosen nation, providing the blessings of your salvation as you have chosen me despite my many failures.
B — We Have Sinned with Our Fathers
Psalm 106 “6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. 7 Our fathers understood not your wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of your 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.”
Comments: The psalmist understood that he had the same tendency toward weak faith leading to sin as did the people of Israel as they came out of Egypt, and we should admit the same before the LORD. When Pharaoh pursued them into the wilderness, Israel quickly demonstrated how little they trusted the LORD. They said they would have been content to have stayed in Egypt. Exodus 14:13 “Moses said to the people, Fear you not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom you have seen to day, you shall see them again no more for ever.” Nevertheless the LORD saved them for his name’s sake. We most often today do not realize how the LORD is working for our benefit, but more importantly to bring glory to his name.
C — The Lord Rebuked the Red Sea
Psalm 106 “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.”
Comments: Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. The children of Israel walked through on dry ground while the returning waters covered the entire host of Pharaoh. Exodus 15:1–2 “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song to the LORD: I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider has he thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation.” The immediate response was praise and worship, not unlike what we might experience when we see in our own life a direct blessing from the Lord.
D — Being Saved Did Not Bring About Lasting Trust
Psalm 106 “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.”
Comments: This brief passage covers several repetitions of complaint and outright rebellion against Moses and the LORD. Within three days of passing through the Red sea, Israel murmured again for lack of water. Soon after the LORD provided manna, the people craved meat and complained again. The rejection of Moses was a rejection of God. Numbers 16 records the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram: 250 princes rose against Moses, and when Moses declared the LORD would show who was truly his, the ground split open and swallowed those who had rebelled, and fire consumed the rest of the band.
E — Aaron Allowed Worship of a Molten Calf
Psalm 106 “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 eats grass. 21 They forgot God their savior, 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.”
Comments: Even Aaron, the older brother of Moses, succumbed to the people’s demands and allowed them to make a molten calf. God revealed the heinous worship to Moses before he entered the camp, and Moses begged the LORD to show the people mercy for the sake of the LORD’s great name. Exodus 32:11–13 “Moses sought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why does your wrath wax hot against your people, which you have brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self.” The LORD repented of the evil he thought to do to his people.
F — Phinehas Executed Judgment with Zeal for the Lord
Psalm 106 “24 Yes, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word… 28 They joined themselves also to Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. 29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague broke in on them. 30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. 31 And that was counted to him for righteousness to all generations for ever more.”
Comments: As Israel was nearing the Promised Land, they again fell into idol worship, this time with the Moabites. 24,000 died in the plague before Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, rose up and executed judgment to stay the LORD’s wrath. Numbers 25:11 “Phinehas… has turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them.” The action taken was credited by the LORD as a key to the atonement that stayed the further wrath of the LORD.
G — Moses Did Not Enter the Promised Land
Psalm 106 “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 spoke unadvisedly with his lips. 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 to them.”
Comments: Moses reached a point when he finally spoke rashly before the LORD as he showed more concern for the disrespect of the people toward himself rather than making sure the glory was given to the LORD. Numbers 20:12 “The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, Because you believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.” After Moses died, Joshua led the people into Canaan, but after his death, there were repeated cycles of unfaithfulness to the LORD as the people spiraled down into pagan idolatry.
H — The Lord Gave His People into the Hands of the Heathen
Psalm 106 “40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, so 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… 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… 47 Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks to your holy name, and to triumph in your praise. 48 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise you the LORD.”
Comments: Even though the righteousness of the LORD required that he give Israel over to domination by their enemies because of their own idol worship, his mercy was never exhausted. The LORD provided judges who gained victories by his might, which resulted in interspersed periods of peace. When King David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem he led all the people in a dedication, and the concluding verses of Psalm 106 were part of that ceremony. 1 Chronicles 16:36 “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.”
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, there is so much to be learned from this Psalm. I believe that your mercy endures down through all generations, and that by your mercy you have remembered me with the blessing of your salvation. Thank you LORD, that I have the privilege of sharing in the gladness of your chosen nation; and that I may give you all the glory because you chose me to be part of your eternal inheritance. Israel did not remember the multitude of your mercies in Egypt, but provoked the LORD at the Red Sea with their fear and disbelief as the Egyptian army drew near. But you saved them without them lifting a hand, and you did that for the sake of your own great name. There were many people in the general congregation of Israel who had difficulty forsaking the bondage from which they were freed, because they longed for some of the enjoyment it had provided. May your Spirit work in me LORD, so that will not be true of me. Knowing that Moses, so loved by you LORD, would be prevented from entering the earthly Promised Land, I ask that your Holy Spirit would have control over my spirit. I believe LORD that Christians are already part of your Kingdom through the presence of your Holy Spirit within each one, but we must continually look toward the eternal reward. Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the unbelievers, to give thanks to your holy name, and to triumph in your praise. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, Amen. Praise the LORD!
Published 22 July 2013