34 They have not destroyed the peoples, As Jehovah had said to them, 35 And mix themselves among nations, and learn their works, 36 And serve their idols, And they are to them for a snare. 37 And they sacrifice their sons And their daughters to destroyers, 38 And they shed innocent blood—Blood of their sons and of their daughters, Whom they have sacrificed to idols of Canaan, And the land is profaned with blood. 39 And they are defiled with their works, And commit whoredom in their habitual doings. 40 And the anger of Jehovah Is kindled against His people, And He doth abominate His inheritance. 41 And giveth them into the hand of nations, And those hating them rule over them, 42 And their enemies oppress them, And they are humbled under their hand. 43 Many times He doth deliver them, And they rebel in their counsel, And they are brought low in their iniquity. 44 And He looketh on their distress When He heareth their cry, 45 And remembereth for them His covenant, And is comforted, According to the abundance of His kindness. 46 And He appointeth them for mercies Before all their captors. 47 Save us, O Jehovah our God, and gather us from the nations, To give thanks to Thy holy name, To glory in Thy praise. 48 Blessed 'is' Jehovah, God of Israel, From the age even unto the age. And all the people said, 'Amen, praise Jah!'
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.