Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 106

• The Israelite community in exile confessed the Lord’s goodness and justice and their own past sins. From their humble state in exile, they asked for redemption and restoration. They hoped to be gathered back from all the places the Lord had scattered them in his anger.

  The psalm ends with a memory of the Lord’s past mercy and hope for renewed mercy (Psalm 106:44–48). Israel failed, but the Lord remains constant.

• Verses 1, 47–48 (along with Psalms 96; 105:1–15) are included in David’s song of praise recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:1–43.

Hallelujah! is a Hebrew word (haleluyah) that means “Praise the Lord.” This phrase appears in four small groups in the psalms:

• Psalm 104–106

• Psalm 111–113

• Psalm 115–117

• Psalm 146–150

Wise people who practice justice and righteousness receive encouragement to proclaim the Lord’s great acts.

The poet prays individually for the Lord’s favor before leading the community confession that follows.

The community joins together to confess their sins and their ancestors’ many acts of unbelief.

The story of Israel's redemption includes their sinful actions from the time of their ancestors to now (Psalm 106:43). The themes of sin and God's anger towards sin start and end Book Four (Psalms 90:1–9; 106:6, 23, 43).

Red Sea: See Exodus 14:15–31.

they … failed to wait: God’s impatient people did not trust him to work according to his will (for example, see Exodus 15:24; 16:2–3; 17:1–3; Numbers 14:26–45; 21:4–9).

He … sent a wasting disease: See Exodus 32:35 and Numbers 11:33.

• The people became jealous because they wanted the same role as the priests God had chosen (see Numbers 16:1–35).

• The earth opened up: See Numbers 16:28–33.

they … worshiped a molten image: The people forgot their Savior and worshiped idols (see Exodus 32:1–6).

the land of Ham: This means Egypt (Psalm 106:21).

• The people disobeyed God’s command when they refused to enter the pleasant land (the promised land (see Jeremiah 3:19).

• they did not believe His promise: See Numbers 13:25–14:12.

God’s judgment when Israel refused to obey was death and exile (Numbers 14:26–30). These judgments came because the people rejected God’s word (Psalm 106:24–25) and provoked the Lord's anger (106:28–46).

When the Israelites entered the land, they brought their idol worship with them. Their behavior stayed the same, and they angered the Lord with their actions.

they yoked themselves to Baal of Peor: See Numbers 25:3; Deuteronomy 4:3.

Phinehas killed an Israelite man who openly turned away from the Lord (Numbers 25:3–8). Because his action stopped the plague, the psalm credits him with righteousness. In this psalm he is presented as a stronger example of zeal for the Lord than Moses, who failed at Meribah (Numbers 20:11–13).

Israel continued to disobey the word of the Lord while living in the promised land. Instead of destroying the nations, Israel accepted them and their customs (see Judges 2:1–3, 11–15; 3:5–6).

The gods of other nations were really demons (see Deuteronomy 32:17).

Idolatry is like adultery. Both make God’s people unclean before the Lord (see Leviticus 18:24; Hosea 5:3).

The psalmist again talks about the Babylonian exile (Psalm 106:26–27). The Lord judged Israel harshly, but he also restrained his anger, remembering the covenant he had made with Abraham.

God hated Israel's sin, just as he hates all sin.

When Israel fell, the destruction was not complete. The Lord had compassion on his people and left a remnant (a small group of people who remained).

He remembered … and relented: Unlike Israel, the Lord is faithful to his covenant (Psalm 105:8).

Even though the exile was harsh, the Lord still protected his people (see 2 Kings 25:27–29).

gather us: The community prays for God to bring them back from exile (see Psalms 102:19–22; 107:3; see also Isaiah 11:12; 40:11; 43:5; 54:7; 56:8; 66:18).

• This doxology (a short song of praise) ends Book Four (compare Psalms 41:13; 89:52).

• from everlasting to everlasting: The reference to God’s eternal nature links to the opening of Book Four (Psalm 90:1–2).

• Let all the people say, “Amen!”: The Hebrew word ’amen means “It is true.” The faithful accept the Lord’s will during exile and his promise to be their God.