Do you ever feel like you keep falling into the same mistakes, despite knowing better?
Psalm 106 reminds us that God’s faithfulness endures, even when we are unfaithful. It calls us to remember His mighty works, repent of our rebellion, and return to Him in trust and worship.
Key Verse: “Nevertheless He looked upon their distress when He heard their cry; and He remembered His covenant for their sake, and relented according to the greatness of His lovingkindness.” – Psalm 106:44-45 (NASB)
Background Context: Psalm 106 recounts the history of Israel’s repeated rebellion against God, from the time of the Exodus to their eventual exile. The psalmist details how the people sinned against God, forgot His goodness, and turned to idols, yet each time they cried out for help, God heard them and delivered them. This psalm serves as a powerful reminder of God’s patience, mercy, and faithfulness, even when His people fall short. It calls us to learn from Israel’s mistakes and to remember God’s unwavering love.
(Summarized and continued after scripture)
Psalm 106
Israel’s Rebelliousness and the LORD’S Deliverances.
1Praise the LORD!
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
2Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the LORD,
Or can show forth all His praise?
3How blessed are those who keep justice,
Who practice righteousness at all times!
4Remember me, O LORD, in Your favor toward Your people;
Visit me with Your salvation,
5That I may see the prosperity of Your chosen ones,
That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation,
That I may glory with Your inheritance.
6We have sinned like our fathers,
We have committed iniquity, we have behaved wickedly.
7Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders;
They did not remember Your abundant kindnesses,
But rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.
8Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of His name,
That He might make His power known.
9Thus He rebuked the Red Sea and it dried up,
And He led them through the deeps, as through the wilderness.
10So He saved them from the hand of the one who hated them,
And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
11The waters covered their adversaries;
Not one of them was left.
12Then they believed His words;
They sang His praise.
13They quickly forgot His works;
They did not wait for His counsel,
14But craved intensely in the wilderness,
And tempted God in the desert.
15So He gave them their request,
But sent a wasting disease among them.
16When they became envious of Moses in the camp,
And of Aaron, the holy one of the LORD,
17The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan,
And engulfed the company of Abiram.
18And a fire blazed up in their company;
The flame consumed the wicked.
19They made a calf in Horeb
And worshiped a molten image.
20Thus they exchanged their glory
For the image of an ox that eats grass.
21They forgot God their Savior,
Who had done great things in Egypt,
22Wonders in the land of Ham
And awesome things by the Red Sea.
23Therefore He said that He would destroy them,
Had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him,
To turn away His wrath from destroying them.
24Then they despised the pleasant land;
They did not believe in His word,
25But grumbled in their tents;
They did not listen to the voice of the LORD.
26Therefore He swore to them
That He would cast them down in the wilderness,
27And that He would cast their seed among the nations
And scatter them in the lands.
28They joined themselves also to Baal-peor,
And ate sacrifices offered to the dead.
29Thus they provoked Him to anger with their deeds,
And the plague broke out among them.
30Then Phinehas stood up and interposed,
And so the plague was stayed.
31And it was reckoned to him for righteousness,
To all generations forever.
32They also provoked Him to wrath at the waters of Meribah,
So that it went hard with Moses on their account;
33Because they were rebellious against His Spirit,
He spoke rashly with his lips.
34They did not destroy the peoples,
As the LORD commanded them,
35But they mingled with the nations
And learned their practices,
36And served their idols,
Which became a snare to them.
37They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons,
38And shed innocent blood,
The blood of their sons and their daughters,
Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan;
And the land was polluted with the blood.
39Thus they became unclean in their practices,
And played the harlot in their deeds.
40Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against His people
And He abhorred His inheritance.
41Then He gave them into the hand of the nations,
And those who hated them ruled over them.
42Their enemies also oppressed them,
And they were subdued under their power.
43Many times He would deliver them;
They, however, were rebellious in their counsel,
And so sank down in their iniquity.
44Nevertheless He looked upon their distress
When He heard their cry;
45And He remembered His covenant for their sake,
And relented according to the greatness of His lovingkindness.
46He also made them objects of compassion
In the presence of all their captors.
47Save us, O LORD our God,
And gather us from among the nations,
To give thanks to Your holy name
And glory in Your praise.
48Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
From everlasting even to everlasting.
And let all the people say, “Amen.”
Praise the LORD!
Reflection on Psalm 106:
- The Rebellion of Israel: The psalmist does not shy away from recounting Israel’s sins—forgetting God’s works, worshiping idols, complaining, and even sacrificing their children to false gods (Psalm 106:6-39). These actions reflect a heart that strayed far from God’s commands. The people forgot the wonders God had performed, from parting the Red Sea to providing manna in the wilderness. They quickly turned to their own ways, seeking fulfillment in things other than God. This is a sobering reminder that spiritual forgetfulness leads to rebellion. When we forget who God is and what He has done, we are more likely to turn away from Him. Are there areas in your life where you have forgotten God’s past faithfulness? Take time to remember His works and to renew your commitment to follow Him.
- The Faithfulness of God: Despite Israel’s repeated failures, God remained faithful. The psalmist declares, “Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of His name, that He might make His power known” (Psalm 106:8). God’s mercy was not based on Israel’s righteousness but on His own character and covenant promises. Even when the people rebelled, God remembered His covenant and delivered them. This points to God’s unchanging nature—He is a God of steadfast love and mercy. Even when we fail, He is faithful to His promises. This is a powerful encouragement to those who feel they have strayed too far from God. No matter how many times we fail, God’s love and grace are still available when we turn back to Him. Have you been hesitant to return to God because of past mistakes? Be encouraged that His mercy endures forever, and His arms are always open to those who repent.
- Learning from Past Mistakes: One of the key themes of Psalm 106 is the importance of remembering. The psalmist recalls Israel’s history to help the people learn from their past mistakes and avoid repeating them. He highlights moments when the people forgot God’s works, leading to disaster, and he urges the nation to remember God’s acts of deliverance. Reflecting on the past can be a powerful tool for growth. When we remember how God has worked in our lives, we build a stronger foundation of trust and faith. We also become more aware of the areas where we are prone to stray, which helps us to remain vigilant and rely on God’s strength. Are you taking time to reflect on the lessons God has taught you through past experiences? Let these reflections guide you in your current walk with Him.
- The Power of Repentance: Even in the face of severe rebellion, God responded to the cries of His people when they repented. “Nevertheless He looked upon their distress when He heard their cry” (Psalm 106:44). Repentance is powerful because it acknowledges our need for God’s grace and turns our hearts back to Him. The psalmist’s prayer in verse 47, “Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations,” is a plea for God’s deliverance and restoration. This demonstrates that even when we feel far from God, we can always return to Him in repentance, trusting in His mercy. Have you been holding back from confessing sin and seeking God’s forgiveness? Remember that He is compassionate and ready to forgive, no matter how far you have strayed.
- God’s Mercy and Our Response: The psalm concludes with praise: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, ‘Amen.’ Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 106:48). God’s mercy should lead us to worship and gratitude. When we reflect on His patience, forgiveness, and deliverance, our hearts should overflow with praise. The right response to God’s mercy is not to take it for granted but to live in gratitude and obedience, seeking to honor Him with our lives. How are you responding to God’s mercy today? Take time to thank Him for His patience and grace, and ask Him to help you live in a way that honors Him.
Summary Key Points:
- The Danger of Forgetting God’s Faithfulness: Spiritual forgetfulness leads to rebellion. We must remember God’s past works to remain faithful to Him.
- God’s Unchanging Faithfulness: Even when we fail, God remains faithful to His covenant promises. His love and mercy are not based on our actions but on His character.
- The Importance of Learning from the Past: Reflecting on past experiences and God’s deliverance helps us grow in faith and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
- The Power of Repentance: God is always ready to forgive and restore when we turn back to Him. No matter how far we have strayed, His mercy is available.
- Responding to God’s Mercy with Praise: Recognizing God’s grace should lead us to a life of gratitude, worship, and obedience.
Application: Reflect on your life and identify areas where you may have forgotten God’s faithfulness. Spend time in prayer, thanking Him for His mercy and grace, and ask Him to help you remember His works. If there are areas where you need to repent, do not hesitate to seek His forgiveness. Trust that God’s arms are open, ready to receive you. Finally, make a habit of recounting God’s goodness and sharing it with others. Let your life be a testimony of His enduring love and faithfulness.
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your enduring mercy and faithfulness. We confess that we, like Israel, have often forgotten Your works and strayed from Your ways. Forgive us, Lord, and help us to remember Your goodness. Teach us to learn from the past and to trust in Your promises. May we respond to Your grace with hearts full of gratitude and lives that honor You. We praise You, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.
