The psalmist now enters on his main subject—the transgressions of Israel in the past, and God's manifold mercies vouchsafed to them. These he traces from the time of the Exodus ( Psalms 106:7 ) to that of the Babylonish captivity ( Psalms 106:46 ). read more
They forgat God their Saviour (comp. Psalms 106:13 ). "God their Saviour" is "God who had so recently saved them out of the hands of Pharaoh." Which had done great things in Egypt. The allusion is principally to the long series of "plagues." read more
Wondrous works in the land of Ham (comp. Psalms 78:51 ; Psalms 105:23 , Psalms 105:27 , for the expression "land of Ham;" and for the "works" themselves, see Exodus 7-12). And terrible things by the Red Sea (see Exodus 14:24 , Exodus 14:27-30 ). read more
Therefore he said that he would destroy them; literally, and he said. On the apostasy at Sinai, God expressed to Moses an intention to destroy the entire people of Israel, save only himself, and to "make of him a great nation" ( Exodus 32:10 ; comp. Deuteronomy 9:14 , Deuteronomy 9:25 ). Had not Moses his chosen steed before him in the breach. Moses was "chosen" by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt ( Exodus 3:10 ), and forced to accept the office ( Exodus 4:1-17 ). When... read more
Moses as mediator. "Had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them." "The intercession of Moses is compared to the act of a brave leader, covering with his body the breach made in the walls of his fortress." See the figure as given in Ezekiel 22:30 . The account of Moses' intercession is found in Exodus 32:10-14 . The point on which we dwell is the fitness of Moses to be the mediator on this occasion. I. THE FITNESS ... read more
They forgat God their Saviour ... - The God who had saved, or delivered them, out of Egypt. The sentiment here is the same as in Psalms 78:11-12. See the notes at that place. read more
Therefore he said that he would destroy them - See Exodus 32:10-14. He threatened to destroy them, and he would have done it, if Moses had not interposed and pleaded for them. There was nothing strange or very unusual in this. Many a descending curse upon guilty people is turned away by prayer, and by human intervention. We are constantly endeavoring to turn aside evils which would come upon others - by our intervention - by labor or by prayer. Thus, when we toil to provide food for our... read more
Psalms 106:19-23. They made a calf in Horeb When they were but very lately brought out of Egypt, by such wonderful power and goodness of God, and had seen the dreadful plagues of God upon the Egyptian idolaters, and upon their idols too, as is observed Numbers 33:4; and when the law of God was but newly delivered to them, in such a solemn and tremendous manner; and the most high God was yet present, and delivering further precepts to Moses for their benefit upon the top of that very mount.... read more
Psalms 106:0 Israel’s faithlessness to GodLike the previous psalm, this psalm recounts the history of Israel. But whereas Psalms 105:0 emphasized God’s faithfulness, Psalms 106:0 emphasizes Israel’s unfaithfulness and the punishments it suffered as a result.Since God is good, people should praise and obey him. Then they will enjoy, as individuals and as a nation, the full blessings God desires for them (1-5). The psalmist admits, however, that he and those of his generation have sinned as did... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 106:6-39
Sin in many forms. It is not only the psalmist who says, "I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord" ( Psalms 32:5 ). It becomes us all to say, "We have sinned … we have committed iniquity" ( Psalms 106:6 ). Sin takes many forms, as this psalm makes clear. We may be guilty of— I. SINFUL FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND . ( Psalms 106:7 .) As the children of Israel "understood not God's wonders in Egypt," so we guiltily fail to recognize the wonderful working of the Divine hand,... read more