PSALM PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 106:1. This historical psalm (see notes on Psalms 78 and 105) retells a series of events from Israel’s history to illustrate God’s steadfast love in the face of Israel’s rebellion and unfaithfulness. The events occurred during Israel’s time in the wilderness (Exodus 1:1 an... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 106:4 This section looks to the future, when God so blesses his faithful people (v. Psalms 106:3) that the Gentiles are drawn into the light (WHEN YOU SHOW FAVOR TO YOUR PEOPLE). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 106:6 This is a list of incidents that begins at the shore of the Red Sea (vv. Psalms 106:7) and ends during the time of the judges (vv. Psalms 106:34). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 106:7 The first incident is from the shore of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10), when the people of Israel who had followed Moses saw the pursuing army of Egypt. Their reaction was evidence of unbelieving hearts, because they DID NOT CONSIDER God’s WONDROUS WORKS and they REBELLED. Nev... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 106:13 Sadly, the people of Israel SOON FORGOT God’s WORKS and slipped back into unfaithfulness (see v. Psalms 106:7). They PUT GOD TO THE TEST IN THE DESERT (see Numbers 14:22). The specific incident in view is Israel’s WANTON CRAVING at Kibroth-hattaavah (Numbers 11:4, Numbers [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 106:16 The next event is the rebellion led by DATHAN and ABIRAM (Numbers 16:1). They apparently enlisted the Levite Korah to speak out against MOSES AND AARON. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 106:19 The psalm moves on to the CALF IN HOREB, the “golden calf” (Exodus 32:1). They worshiped this idol because they were unfaithful (Psalms 106:21; see vv. Psalms 106:7, Psalms 106:13). Moses STOOD IN THE BREACH BEFORE God (an image taken from risking one’s own life to close... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 106:24 The sad list now moves to what happened when the 12 spies returned from their mission to scout out the land that God had promised (Numbers 13:32). Ten of them gave a bad report, which led Israel to give in to fear. As a result, they refused God’s command to enter the land... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 106:28 Next is the time when the Israelites YOKED THEMSELVES TO THE BAAL OF PEOR (Numbers 25:1). It took the prompt and drastic action of PHINEHAS to stop the PLAGUE that BROKE OUT AMONG the Israelites as a result of God’s anger (see note on Num. 25:7–8). COUNTED TO HIM AS RIGHT... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 106:32 AT THE WATERS OF MERIBAH the people complained about lack of water and accused Moses of bringing them out of Egypt to die. Their unbelief led Moses to speak RASHLY (that is, to become careless about acting by faith). He lost his right to enter the Promised Land because of... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 106:34 The psalmist refers to the recurring pattern in Judges 2:11, in which the people of Israel DID NOT DESTROY THE PEOPLES in Canaan (disobeying what THE LORD COMMANDED THEM). Instead THEY MIXED WITH THE NATIONS (especially by intermarriage, Judges 3:6; see Ezra 9:2) AND LEAR... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 106:48 This doxology closes Book 4 of the Psalms. PRAISE THE LORD! echoes the opening phrase of Psalms 106:1. In view of what this list of events establishes about God’s faithfulness, BLESSED BE THE LORD indeed. ALL THE PEOPLE should SAY, “AMEN!” ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]