39 They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds they prostituted themselves.
39 Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
39 Thus they became unclean by their acts, and played the whore in their deeds.
39 Their way of life stank to high heaven; they lived like whores.
39 Thus they were defiled by their own works, And played the harlot by their own deeds.
39 They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the Lord 's sight.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 106:39
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.