Read Psalm 106
Questions from the Scripture text: What is the main point of this psalm (Psalm 106:1a, Psalm 106:48d)? What is the first part of this praise in (Psalm 106:1b)? What is the first great reason for giving Him thanks? What is the second (verse 1c)? How long does that mercy (steadfast/covenant love) endure? What is the implied answer to the rhetorical questions in Psalm 106:2? To Whom does the blessedness in Psalm 106:3 belong (n.b. the rest of the Psalm)? For what two things does the psalmist ask in Psalm 106:4? For whom does YHWH do these things (Psalm 106:4a, Psalm 106:5a)?What else are they called in Psalm 106:5? But how does this correspond to what they have done (Psalm 106:6)? Where had they shown this, in what way (Psalm 106:7)? But what had the Lord done and why (Psalm 106:8)? What (Psalm 106:9, Psalm 106:11a) and whom (Psalm 106:10, Psalm 106:11b) did He overrule to save them? How did they respond in the moment (Psalm 106:12)? But what did they soon return to (Psalm 106:13)? Resulting in what evil deeds and what chastening (Psalm 106:14-18)? What wickedness is presented as the worst of all of this (Psalm 106:19-22)? How does the exchange in Psalm 106:20, and the Name in Psalm 106:21, highlight this? What word does Psalm 106:23a declare against them? Who intervened, and Who put him in that place to do that (verse 23b–c)? What did they soon do (Psalm 106:24a, Psalm 106:25a), in response to what (Psalm 106:24b, Psalm 106:25b)? How did He promise to chasten them (Psalm 106:26-27)? To what sin did they now proceed (Psalm 106:28-29)? Whom did the Lord use to stem this (Psalm 106:30-31)? What other sin did they commit (Psalm 106:32a, Psalm 106:33a)? Drawing even whom into their sin (Psalm 106:32b, Psalm 106:33b)? What other sin did they commit (Psalm 106:34), resulting in what circumstances (Psalm 106:35a), and what further sins (Psalm 106:35-39)? How did He deal with them for such sins (Psalm 106:40-42)? With what three components does Psalm 106:43 summarize the history of the interaction between Israel and God (verse 43)? Still, what is the Lord doing for them in Psalm 106:44? What does He remember (Psalm 106:45a), according to what (verse 45b)? By what particular providence (Psalm 106:46)? What condition are they still in at the time of this Psalm (Psalm 106:47b)? But for what are they asking (verse 47a–b)? In order to do what (verse 47c–d)? And what do they immediately do in Psalm 106:48?
What hope can believers have, when they are under God’s discipline for their sin? Psalm 106 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these forty-eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, when believers are under discipline for their sin, they can hope in the God Who has made history into a stunning display of His patience, saving power, and forgiving mercy to sinners like them.
This Psalm declares a call to praise (Psalm 106:1a, Psalm 106:48d), even in the midst of a grievous situation. At the time this Psalm is written, believers are scattered among the nations (Psalm 106:47b) as a chastening for their sin (Psalm 106:41).What hope is there for them to be saved? The Lord has done so “many times” before (Psalm 106:43a).
Over and over, His people had sinned (Psalm 106:6). Forgetting Him Himself (Psalm 106:7a–b, Psalm 106:13a, Psalm 106:21-22). Rejecting His Word (Psalm 106:7c, Psalm 106:13b, Psalm 106:16, Psalm 106:24-25, Psalm 106:32-33, Psalm 106:34, Psalm 106:43b). Committing even the worst wickedness (Psalm 106:14, Psalm 106:19-20, Psalm 106:28, Psalm 106:35-39).
Over and over, He had chastened them (Psalm 106:16, Psalm 106:17-18, Psalm 106:23a, Psalm 106:26-27, Psalm 106:29, Psalm 106:40-42, Psalm 106:43c), but then forgiven them and saved them (Psalm 106:9-12, Psalm 106:23b, Psalm 106:30b, Psalm 106:43a, Psalm 106:44-45a, Psalm 106:46). Even providing godly men to intervene on their behalf (Psalm 106:23b, Psalm 106:30a, Psalm 106:31).
In this back and forth, the ultimate question is which will win: the persistent grace of God, or the persistent backsliding of Israel? It’s an important question in the author’s time, for we write in the midst of more than two centuries of backsliding in the churches of our land.
Ultimately, the answer is at the bookends of the Psalm (Psalm 106:1a, Psalm 106:48d). God Himself is greater (Psalm 106:2-3). God’s grace is greater (Psalm 106:1b–c, Psalm 106:45b) than their need for grace. He will save for His own Name’s sake (Psalm 106:8).
And those who know this about Him will cry out to Him (Psalm 106:4) and praise Him already in their troubles (Psalm 106:48), as they look forward to praising Him in perfect blessedness forever (Psalm 106:5, Psalm 106:47)!
What are some times that the Lord has let you go through suffering? How have you used those times to reflect upon whatever you might need to repent of? Whom has He given you to atone for your sin and plead your case? How should you be responding to God’s mercy, when you feel your need for it? How should you be responding to God’s mercy, when you see the greatness of it to yourself and to others?
Sample prayer: We praise You, Lord! We thank You, for You are good. We praise and thank You, for Your mercy endures forever. Who can express Your mighty acts? Who can declare all Your praise? Blessed are You, Who do righteousness at all times! Visit us, now, with Your salvation that we may see the benefit of Your chosen ones, that we may rejoice in the gladness of Your people, and that we may glory with Your inheritance. Gather us to Yourself to give thanks to Your holy name, and to triumph in Your praise, as we shall do, our blessed God, from everlasting to everlasting, by Your Spirit, through Your Son, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP105A “O Thank the LORD(Call on His Name)” or TPH105C“O Praise the LORD, His Deeds Make Known”
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