Psalms 106:31

Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: (1) The people's distrust of the Lord's word as to Canaan after hearing the spies' report (Psalms 106:24-19). (2) The sin of the new generation in joining themselves to Baal-peor, and Phinehas' zeal (Psalms 106:28-19). (3) The offence at Meribah (Psalms 106:32-19). Thus there are seven transgressions specified in all. One in Egypt in the first strophe; in the wilderness, three in the second and three in the third strophe. These seven transgressions stand in sad contrast to the seven miracles of God in the people's behalf in...

31._And that deed was imputed _The prophet, in thus praising one individual, heaps reproach upon the whole body of the people. For we infer from this token of approbation with which the Holy Spirit condescended to stamp the excellent action of Phinehas, how very base their conduct must have been. Neither was this honor reserved for him alone, but his posterity were to enjoy it throughout their succeeding generations. In order, therefore, to cast the greater reproach upon the people, Phinehas alone is contrasted with them. Some may be disposed to inquire, how the zeal of a single individual, overstepping the boundaries (261) of his calling, taking a sword and executing justice, could be approved of God? For it would seem, as if he had ventured upon this action without due consideration. I answer, that the saints have sometimes been under peculiar and extraordinary impulses, which ought no...

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...

AND THAT WAS COUNTED UNTO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS - See Numbers 25:11. Compare the notes at Romans 4:3. The meaning here is, that this was regarded as a “proof” or “demonstration” that he was a righteous man - a man fearing God. UNTO ALL GENERATIONS FOR EVERMORE - Hebrew, “To generation and generation forever.” The record would be transmitted from one generation to another, without any intermission, and would be permanent. This is one of the illustrations of the statement so frequently made in the Scriptures (compare Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 7:9;...

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,...

AND THAT WAS COUNTED UNTO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS,.... Not for his justifying righteousness before God; for all the works of righteousness done by the best of men cannot justify them before him, much less a single action: but his executing judgment in the manner he did, or slaying the above two persons, was esteemed a righteous action by the Lord himself; who upon it caused the plague to cease, and likewise gave to Phinehas the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, and to his posterity; whereby the action had eternal honour put upon it, and was sufficiently secured from the calumny of men; who might condemn it as a rash action done by a private person, assuming the office of a public magistrate; and as being a cruel one, not giving the criminals time for repentance. But all this is set aside by the testimony of God himself, approving of it; and so it continues to be esteemed, as it is sai...

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)....

COUNTED. Compare Numbers 25:12; Numbers 25:13....