34 They did not destroy the peoples , As the Lord commanded them, 35 But they mingled with the nations And learned their practices , 36 And served their idols , Which became a snare to them. 37 They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons , 38 And shed innocent blood , The blood of their sons and their daughters , Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan ; And the land was polluted with the blood . 39 Thus they became unclean in their practices , And played the harlot in their deeds . 40 Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against His people And He abhorred His inheritance . 41 Then He gave them into the hand of the nations , And those who hated them ruled over them. 42 Their enemies also oppressed them, And they were subdued under their power . 43 Many times He would deliver them; They, however, were rebellious in their counsel , And so sank down in their iniquity . 44 Nevertheless He looked upon their distress When He heard their cry ; 45 And He remembered His covenant for their sake, And relented according to the greatness of His lovingkindness . 46 He also made them objects of compassion In the presence of all their captors . 47 Save us, O Lord our God , And gather us from among the nations , To give thanks to Your holy name And glory in Your praise . 48 Blessed be the Lord , the God of Israel , From everlasting even to everlasting . And let all the people say , "Amen ." Praise the Lord !
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 106:34-48
Commentary on Psalm 106:34-48
(Read Psalm 106:34-48)
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.