‏ Psalms 106

* The happiness of God's people. (1-5) Israel's sins. (6-12)

Their provocations. (13-33) Their rebellions in Canaan. (34-46)

Prayer for more complete deliverance. (47,48)1-5 None of our sins or sufferings should prevent our ascribing

glory and praise to the Lord. The more unworthy we are, the more

is his kindness to be admired. And those who depend on the

Redeemer's righteousness will endeavour to copy his example, and

by word and deed to show forth his praise. God's people have

reason to be cheerful people; and need not envy the children of

men their pleasure or pride. 6-12 Here begins a confession of sin; for we must acknowledge

that the Lord has done right, and we have done wickedly. We are

encouraged to hope that though justly corrected, yet we shall

not be utterly forsaken. God's afflicted people own themselves

guilty before him. God is distrusted because his favours are not

remembered. If he did not save us for his own name's sake, and

to the praise of his power and grace, we should all perish. 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 dealt severely with

Moses for unadvised words, what do those deserve who speak many

proud and wicked words? It is just in God to remove those

relations that are blessings to us, when we are peevish and

provoking to them, and grieve their spirits. 34-48 The conduct of the Israelites in Canaan, and God's

dealings with them, show that the way of sin is down-hill;

omissions make way for commissions: when they neglected to

destroy the heathen, they learned their works. One sin led to

many more, and brought the judgments of God on them. Their sin

was, in part, their own punishment. Sinners often see themselves

ruined by those who led them into evil. Satan, who is a tempter,

will be a tormentor. At length, God showed pity to his people

for his covenant's sake. The unchangeableness of God's merciful

nature and love to his people, makes him change the course of

justice into mercy; and no other change is meant by God's

repentance. Our case is awful when the outward church is

considered. When nations professing Christianity, are so guilty

as we are, no wonder if the Lord brings them low for their sins.

Unless there is general and deep repentance, there can be no

prospect but of increasing calamities. The psalm concludes with

prayer for completing the deliverance of God's people, and

praise for the beginning and progress of it. May all the people

of the earth, ere long, add their Amen