“Praise the Lord!
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His mercy is everlasting.
Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the Lord,
Or proclaim all His praise?”

“Blessed are those who comply with justice,
And who practice righteousness at all times!”

“Remember me, Lord, in Your favor toward Your people;
Visit me with Your salvation,
So that I may see the prosperity of Your chosen ones,
That I may rejoice in the joy of Your nation,
That I may boast with Your inheritance.”

Confession of National Sin

“We have sinned like our fathers,
We have gone astray, we have behaved wickedly.”

The psalm continues with a detailed confession of Israel’s failures in the wilderness and the Promised Land:

• At the Red Sea, they lacked faith
• They craved food and tested God
• They worshiped the golden calf
• They despised the Promised Land
• They mingled with the nations and served idols
• They shed innocent blood and defiled themselves

God’s Merciful Response

“Nevertheless, He looked at their distress
When He heard their cry;
And He remembered His covenant for their sake,
And relented according to the greatness of His mercy.”

“He also made them objects of compassion
In the presence of all their captors.”

Closing Plea and Praise

“Save us, Lord our God,
And gather us from the nations,
To give thanks to Your holy name
And glory in Your praise.”

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
From everlasting to everlasting.
And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
Praise the Lord!”

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Context and Meaning

Psalm 106 is a national confession of sin and a celebration of God’s enduring mercy. It recounts Israel’s repeated unfaithfulness, contrasting it with God’s unwavering grace and compassion. Paired with Psalm 105 (which focuses on God’s faithfulness), Psalm 106 shows God’s mercy despite human failure.

Key Themes:

1. God’s Mercy Is Everlasting: From beginning to end, the psalm highlights God’s faithful love (v. 1, 45).
2. Confession Is Essential: The psalm models corporate repentance, owning both personal and national sin (v. 6).
3. History as a Mirror: Israel’s past is a warning and lesson for future generations (1 Corinthians 10:11).
4. Salvation Is for God’s Glory: The goal of God’s mercy is that He may be praised and glorified (v. 47).

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 106 teaches us to look honestly at our failures while holding fast to the hope of God’s mercy:

• God’s Grace Exceeds Our Sin: His covenant love remains, even when we are faithless (2 Timothy 2:13).
• Confession Is a Path to Restoration: Repentance opens the way for renewed fellowship and joy.
• We Must Learn from the Past: Remembering failures helps guard against repeating them.
• God Deserves All Glory: Even our salvation points to His goodness and faithfulness.

Application

• Practice Honest Confession: Own your failures before God—He is rich in mercy.
• Reflect on God’s Forgiveness: Don’t let shame define you—His compassion is greater.
• Live to Glorify His Name: Let your life be a testimony to His saving grace.
• Pray for National Mercy: As in this psalm, intercede for your community and country.

Closing Thought

Psalm 106 is a powerful reminder that God’s mercy is not dependent on our perfection but on His unchanging covenant love.
“Save us, Lord our God… that we may give thanks to Your holy name.”