Psalms 106:34-46

PSALM—NOTE ON Psalms 106:34 The psalmist refers to the recurring pattern in Judges 2:11, in which the people of Israel did not destroy the peoples in Canaan (disobeying what the LORD commanded them). Instead they mixed with the nations (especially by intermarriage, Judges 3:6; see Ezra 9:2) and learned to do as they did (Psalms 106:34). Hence the anger of the LORD was kindled against his people, and he gave them into the hand of the nations (vv. Psalms 106:40; see Judges 2:14). The stunning thing about the period of the judges is the opposing themes: many times he delivered them while yet they were rebellious in their purposes (Psalms 106:43). Nevertheless God looked upon their distress (v. Psalms 106:44) and kept coming to their aid. The expressions remembered his covenant and the abundance of his steadfast love (v. Psalms 106:45, a reference to Exodus 34:6) look back to Psalms 106:7. This puts the faithful Lord in stark contrast with the unfaithful people. In keeping with Solomon’s prayer (1 Kings 8:50), God caused his repentant people to be pitied by all those who held them captive (Psalms 106:46), and he restored them.