Psalms 106:16

They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: -Three transgressions of Israel in the wilderness are detailed, rising in gradation of moral guilt, without respect to time: (1) Their unbelieving impatience in demanding flesh (Psalms 106:13); (2) Their joining Dathan and Abiram in the envious attack on Moses and Aaron, the consecrated servants of Yahweh (Psalms 106:16); (3) Their direct affront to God Himself in forming a golden calf for worship. The sins of Israel in the wilderness are dwelt on at greatest length, because it was by them that the then existing generation forfeited Canaan, implying to their posterity, now captive in Babylon, that their exclusion from Canaan was due to the same cause. Verse 13....

16._And they envied _He refers here very shortly to another transgression, and that, too, in such a way as to furnish both to himself and others ample grounds for deep consideration. For, as the people, in devising from time to time new modes of sinning, displayed so much cunning in their attempts to provoke God’s anger, so we ought the more to be filled with fear on that account. Moreover, when he says that they _envied Moses and Aaron, _his meaning is, that, acting under the influence of diabolic pride, they had risen up against God, and were endeavoring to throw off the yoke which he had laid upon them; according as Moses also said, “What am I, and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against us?” (Numbers 16:11) As it was the will of God to rule the people by means of Moses and Aaron, not to submit to their rule was virtually to set themselves obstinately to resist the

13-33 Those that will not wait for God's counsel, shall justly be given up to their own hearts' lusts, to walk in their own counsels. An undue desire, even for lawful things, becomes sinful. God showed his displeasure for this. He filled them with uneasiness of mind, terror of conscience, and self-reproach. Many that fare deliciously every day, and whose bodies are healthful, have leanness in their souls: no love to God, no thankfulness, no appetite for the Bread of life, and then the soul must be lean. Those wretchedly forget themselves, that feast their bodies and starve their souls. Even the true believer will see abundant cause to say, It is of the Lord's mercies that I am not consumed. Often have we set up idols in our hearts, cleaved to some forbidden object; so that if a greater than Moses had not stood to turn away the anger of the Lord, we should have been destroyed. If God dea...

Verse Psalms 106:16. _THEY ENVIED MOSES_] A reference to the case of _Korah_ and his company. _AARON THE SAINT._] The _anointed_, the _high priest_ of the Lord....

THEY ENVIED MOSES ALSO IN THE CAMP - They were envious of him, or rebelled against him, as assuming too much authority. See Numbers 16:1. The reference here is rather to the “result” of that envy in producing rebellion than to the envy itself. It is true, however, that the foundation of their opposition to him “was” envy. AND AARON THE SAINT OF THE LORD - That is, as set apart to the service of the Lord; or, as employed in holy things. The reference is to his “office,” not to his personal character....

EXPOSITION This is the first of the strictly "Hallelujah psalms"—_i.e._ of the psalms beginning with the phrase "hallelujah"—which are Psalms 106:1, Psalms 111:1, Psalms 112:1, Psalms 113:1, Psalms 135:1, Psalms 146:1, Psalms 147:1, Psalms 148:1,...

THEY ENVIED MOSES ALSO IN THE CAMP,.... That he should be generalissimo there, have the sole command of the people, and be their leader and chief magistrate. Gifts qualifying men for civil government are from the Lord, and these commonly draw the envy of others upon them; who, though they pretend patriotism and the good of their country, yet seek themselves; and would be in the places of those they envy and speak against; which was the case of Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Reuben, who thought themselves as fit, and had a better right, as being the sons of Jacob's firstborn, to command, than Moses. AND AARON THE SAINT OF THE LORD; who was not only a holy good man, but was separated from his brethren, sanctified, and put into the priest's office, and this drew upon him the envy of many of the Levites, at the head of whom was Korah, a Levite; these envied that he should be the high priest...

This Psalm relates the story of God's mercy to Israel, of the people's provocation of Jehovah, and of his great patience with them. It commences with an exhortation to praise the Lord. Psalms 106:1. _Praise ye the LORD._ Or, «Hallelujah.» I cannot help remarking here that this is one of the most sacred words in the whole Bible, and it ought always to be pronounced with the utmost reverence. I sometimes feel my blood chill when I hear of «hallelujah lasses» and «hallelujah bonnets.» If those who use such expressions rightly understood the meaning of the word, they would not thus take the name of the Lord in vain? Psalms 106:1. _O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever._ As long as you and I are sinners, this will be on

Psalms 105 AND 106 The Memories of the Past The last two Psalms of this fourth section review the entire history of Israel up to the time of the judges. It is the story of God's faithfulness and mercy, and the story of their shameful failure and apostasy. He is ever mindful of His covenant, and that covenant is mentioned first, as the foundation of all. Then how He watched over them. The story of Joseph is mentioned, followed by the rehearsal of the deliverance out of Egypt. Psalms 106:1 is couched in words of confession, showing their failure all the way, sinning, forgetting, lusting, unbelieving and disobedient. Only infinite mercy and grace could save such a people. Prophetically these Psalms express the repentance and national confession of Israel, when the Lord has saved them. Then with a new

CVI. ISRAEL'S SIN. Psalms 106:1. Introduction. Praise to Yahweh for His power and greatness. The writer's desire to share in Israel's joy. PSALMS 106:3. HE THAT DOETH: read they that do. Psalms 106:5. read throughout we for I. PSALMS 106:6. Israel's constant relapse into sin. PSALMS 106:7_ c._ Read, They were rebellious against the Most High at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10)....