◄ Psalm 106 ►
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Give Thanks to the LORD, for He Is Good

1Hallelujah!a

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;

His loving devotion endures forever.

2Who can describe the mighty acts of the LORD

or fully proclaim His praise?

3Blessed are those who uphold justice,

who practice righteousness at all times.

4Remember me, O LORD, in Your favor to Your people;

visit me with Your salvation,

5that I may see the prosperity of Your chosen ones,

and rejoice in the gladness of Your nation,

and give glory with Your inheritance.

6We have sinned like our fathers;

we have done wrong and acted wickedly.

7Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp Your wonders

or remember Your abundant kindness;

but they rebelled by the sea,

there at the Red Sea.b

8Yet He saved them for the sake of His name,

to make His power known.

9He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up;

He led them through the depths as through a desert.

10He saved them from the hand that hated them;

He redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

11The waters covered their foes;

not one of them remained.

12Then they believed His promises

and sang His praise.

13Yet they soon forgot His works

and failed to wait for His counsel.

14They craved intensely in the wilderness

and tested God in the desert.

15So He granted their request,

but sent a wasting disease upon them.

16In the camp they envied Moses,

as well as Aaron, the holy one of the LORD.

17The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan;

it covered the assembly of Abiram.

18Then fire blazed through their company;

flames consumed the wicked.

19At Horebc they made a calf

and worshiped a molten image.

20They exchanged their Gloryd

for the image of a grass-eating ox.

21They forgot God their Savior,

who did great things in Egypt,

22wondrous works in the land of Ham,

and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.

23So He said He would destroy them—

had not Moses His chosen one

stood before Him in the breach

to divert His wrath from destroying them.

24They despised the pleasant land;

they did not believe His promise.

25They grumbled in their tents

and did not listen to the voice of the LORD.

26So He raised His hand and swore

to cast them down in the wilderness,

27to dispersee their offspring among the nations

and scatter them throughout the lands.

28They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor

and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods.

29So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds,

and a plague broke out among them.

30But Phinehas stood and intervened,

and the plague was restrained.

31It was credited to him as righteousness

for endless generations to come.

32At the waters of Meribahf they angered the LORD,

and trouble came to Moses because of them.

33For they rebelled against His Spirit,g

and Moses spoke rashly with his lips.

34They did not destroy the peoples

as the LORD had commanded them,

35but they mingled with the nations

and adopted their customs.

36They worshiped their idols,

which became a snare to them.

37They sacrificed their sons

and their daughters to demons.

38They shed innocent blood—

the blood of their sons and daughters,

whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan,

and the land was polluted with blood.

39They defiled themselves by their actions

and prostituted themselves by their deeds.

40So the anger of the LORD burned against His people,

and He abhorred His own inheritance.

41He delivered them into the hand of the nations,

and those who hated them ruled over them.

42Their enemies oppressed them

and subdued them under their hand.

43Many times He rescued them,

but they were bent on rebellion

and sank down in their iniquity.

44Nevertheless He heard their cry;

He took note of their distress.

45And He remembered His covenant with them,

and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion.

46He made them objects of compassion

to all who held them captive.

47Save us, O LORD our God,

and gather us from the nations,

that we may give thanks to Your holy name,

that we may glory in Your praise.

48Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,

from everlasting to everlasting.

Let all the people say, “Amen!”

Hallelujah!

Berean Standard Bible (BSB) printed 2016, 2020, 2022, 2025 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, unfoldingWord, Bible Aquifer, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. Free downloads and unlimited usage available. See also the Berean Literal Bible and Berean Interlinear Bible.

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Psalm 106 Summary
Give Thanks to the LORD, for He Is Good

Verses 1–3 – Call to Praise and the Blessed
The psalm opens with a ringing “Praise the LORD!” and an invitation for God’s people to thank Him for His enduring love. Those who practice justice and righteousness are declared blessed right now, not just in the future.

Verses 4–5 – Personal Plea for Grace
The writer moves from public praise to a private cry: “Remember me, O LORD…,” longing to share in the welfare, joy, and heritage of God’s chosen ones.

Verses 6–12 – Rebellion and Redemption at the Red Sea
Israel’s long record of sin begins: “We have sinned with our fathers.” Even at the Red Sea they rebelled, yet God “saved them for the sake of His name,” parting the waters and destroying Pharaoh’s army. Faith briefly flared: “Then they believed His words; they sang His praise.”

Verses 13–18 – Cravings, Complaints, and Consequences
Quickly forgetting, they craved in the wilderness, tested God, and received their request “but sent leanness into their soul.” Envy of Moses and Aaron led to the earth swallowing Dathan and Abiram, and fire consuming the rebels.

Verses 19–23 – The Golden Calf and Moses’ Intercession
At Sinai they made a calf, “exchanged their Glory for the image of a grass-eating ox.” God threatened to destroy, but “Moses His chosen one stood in the breach” and turned back His wrath.

Verses 24–27 – Refusal of the Promised Land
Despising the pleasant land, they refused to trust God’s promise, grumbled in their tents, and were sentenced to fall in the desert while their children would enter Canaan.

Verses 28–31 – Baal Peor and the Zeal of Phinehas
Israel yoked themselves to Baal of Peor; a plague struck until Phinehas “intervened, and the plague was restrained,” his zeal “credited to him as righteousness for endless generations.”

Verses 32–33 – Anger at Meribah
At Meribah they provoked God so severely that Moses “spoke rashly with his lips,” costing him entry into the land.

Verses 34–39 – Compromise, Idolatry, and Child Sacrifice
They failed to destroy the nations, mingled with them, served idols, and even sacrificed sons and daughters to demons, shedding innocent blood.

Verses 40–46 – Judgment Yet Mercy
God’s anger burned, He handed them to their foes; yet time after time “He took note of their distress,” heard their cry, and “relented according to the greatness of His loving devotion.”

Verses 47–48 – Prayer for Salvation and Final Praise
The psalmist pleads, “Save us, O LORD our God…,” gathering His people for praise. The congregation answers: “Blessed be the LORD… Let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Praise the LORD!”

Psalm 106 of the Berean Standard Bible offers an introspective journey through Israel's historical periods of rebellion and the repeated mercy demonstrated by God. The Psalm opens with praise for God's goodness and enduring love, and transitions into a confession of Israel's transgressions, painting a vivid portrait of their repeated disobedience and God's constant, unwavering forgiveness. The Psalm concludes with a plea for God's continued mercy and deliverance, as well as a renewed commitment to praise Him.
Sectioned

Historical Background

Psalm 106 likely dates from the post-exilic era—or at least was used then—because verse 47 voices the hope of a scattered people to be gathered again. The psalm’s long sweep through Israel’s past serves as a national mirror, inviting later generations to own the same sins, seek the same mercy, and renew covenant loyalty.

Literary Structure and Flow

1. Opening Hallelujah (v. 1)

2. Call to remember and a personal plea (vv. 2-5)

3. Seven scenes of rebellion, each matched by God’s response (vv. 6-39)

4. Summary of judgment and mercy (vv. 40-46)

5. Closing plea and Hallelujah (vv. 47-48)

The rhythm alternates: sin—anger—mercy, building the case for God’s unfailing love.

Key Themes

• God’s steadfast love endures despite repeated sin.

• Remembering God’s works is essential; forgetting leads to downfall.

• Intercession (Moses, Phinehas) can stay judgment.

• Disobedience forfeits blessings, but repentance invites restoration.

• Praise frames both the beginning and end, showing worship is the correct response to history.

Archaeological and Cultural Notes

• Red Sea events: Egyptian records confirm Pharaohs feared slave revolts and military losses in the Sinai corridor.

• Dathan & Abiram: Numbers 16 fits well within the Late Bronze Age tribal complaints found in parchment fragments.

• Baal of Peor: Moabite stone reliefs depict Baal worship with ritual meals, matching Numbers 25’s “sacrifices of the dead.”

• Child sacrifice: Topheth excavations in the Hinnom Valley reveal urns holding infant remains, corroborating verses 37-38 and 2 Kings 23:10.

Connections to Other Scriptures

• Exodus 14–15: backdrop for vv. 9-12.

• Numbers 11; 16; 20; 25; 14: springboards for vv. 13-33.

• Deuteronomy 32 offers a parallel historical song.

• Nehemiah 9 and Acts 7 echo this same catalog of failure and mercy.

• 1 Corinthians 10:1-11 points Christians to these very events as warnings.

Applications for Today

• Complacency after a victory can lead to swift spiritual amnesia (vv. 12-13).

• Grumbling is more than bad manners; it challenges God’s goodness (vv. 24-25; Philippians 2:14).

• Visible idols may be gone, but exchanging God for modern “calves” (status, pleasure) repeats the same folly.

• Intercede for others; God still “relents” in response to earnest, righteous pleas (James 5:16).

• Let worship bookend your days as it frames this psalm—praise in the morning, praise in the night.

Messianic Hints

• Moses “stood in the breach” (v. 23) prefigures the greater Mediator, Jesus, who “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25).

• Phinehas’ righteous zeal points ahead to Christ’s cleansing of the temple (John 2:17, quoting Psalm 69:9).

• The closing gather-and-save prayer foreshadows Messiah’s work of gathering scattered sheep (John 11:52).

Worship Insights

• Verse 1 is a ready-made call to worship.

• The historical recounting can fuel confession segments in corporate gatherings.

• Verses 47-48 provide a strong benediction, inviting the congregation’s audible “Amen.”

Key Word Study

• “Loving devotion” (Hebrew hesed, vv. 1, 45) speaks of God’s loyal love that never quits.

• “Forgot” (vv. 13, 21) versus “remember” (vv. 4, 7, 45): the spiritual battle between memory and amnesia.

• “Praise” (Hebrew hallelu Yah, vv. 1, 48) brackets the psalm, reminding readers that all history should end in worship.

Selected Scripture Quotes

• Psalm 106:1 – “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”

• Psalm 106:23 – “So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them.”

• Psalm 106:45 – “And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the greatness of His loving devotion.”

The psalm closes exactly where it began: “Praise the LORD!” Our failures are many, but His mercy is greater, and that is reason enough for endless hallelujahs.

Connections to Additional Scriptures
Exodus 32
The account of the golden calf incident, illustrating the dangers of idolatry.

Numbers 14
The account of Israel's rebellion and God's response, highlighting the importance of faith and obedience.

Lamentations 3:22-23
A reminder of God's unfailing mercy and faithfulness.

1 John 1:9
The promise of forgiveness when we confess our sins.
Teaching Points
Praise and Thanksgiving
The psalm begins with a call to praise: Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever (Psalm 106:1). This sets the tone for acknowledging God's unchanging goodness.

Confession of Sin
The psalmist confesses the sins of the people, recognizing that we have sinned like our fathers; we have done wrong and acted wickedly (Psalm 106:6). This acknowledgment is crucial for repentance and restoration.

Historical Reflection
The psalm recounts various instances of Israel's disobedience, such as the rebellion at the Red Sea (Psalm 106:7-12) and the worship of the golden calf (Psalm 106:19-23). These accounts serve as warnings against idolatry and unbelief.

God's Mercy
Despite Israel's repeated failures, God's mercy prevails. Yet He saved them for the sake of His name, to make His power known (Psalm 106:8). God's faithfulness is not dependent on human actions but on His character.

Intercession
The psalm highlights the role of intercessors like Moses, who stood in the breach before Him to turn His wrath away from destroying them (Psalm 106:23). This underscores the power of prayer and advocacy.
Practical Applications
Cultivate Gratitude
Regularly reflect on God's goodness and faithfulness in your life. Make it a habit to thank Him daily for His enduring love.

Acknowledge and Repent
Be honest about your shortcomings and seek God's forgiveness. Confession is the first step toward spiritual renewal.

Learn from the Past
Study biblical history and personal experiences to avoid repeating mistakes. Let the lessons of the past guide your future decisions.

Trust in God's Mercy
Remember that God's mercy is greater than our failures. Trust in His ability to redeem and restore.

Engage in Intercessory Prayer
Pray for others, standing in the gap as Moses did. Your prayers can make a significant difference in the lives of those around you.
People
1. Moses
Moses is mentioned in verse 16 as the chosen leader of Israel. He is a central figure in the Exodus narrative, leading the Israelites out of Egypt and receiving the Law from God on Mount Sinai. The Hebrew root for Moses is "מֹשֶׁה" (Mosheh).

2. Aaron
Aaron is mentioned alongside Moses in verse 16. He is Moses' brother and served as the first high priest of Israel. The Hebrew root for Aaron is "אַהֲרֹן" (Aharon).

3. Phinehas
Phinehas is mentioned in verse 30. He is the grandson of Aaron and is noted for his zealous act that stopped a plague among the Israelites. The Hebrew root for Phinehas is "פִּינְחָס" (Pinchas).
Places
1. Egypt
Egypt is referenced as the land from which God delivered the Israelites. It symbolizes bondage and oppression. The Israelites' exodus from Egypt is a central theme, highlighting God's power and faithfulness. The Hebrew root for Egypt is "Mitzrayim" (מִצְרַיִם).

2. Red Sea
The Red Sea is where God performed a miraculous deliverance by parting the waters for the Israelites to escape from the pursuing Egyptians. This event is a testament to God's saving power. The Hebrew term used is "Yam Suph" (יַם-סוּף).

3. Wilderness
The wilderness represents the period of wandering and testing for the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. It is a place of both divine provision and human rebellion. The Hebrew word for wilderness is "Midbar" (מִדְבָּר).

4. Canaan
Canaan is the Promised Land that God vowed to give to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It symbolizes fulfillment and blessing. The Hebrew name for Canaan is "Kena'an" (כְּנַעַן).
Events
1. Praise and Thanksgiving
The psalm begins with a call to praise the LORD and give thanks for His goodness and enduring love. "Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever" (Psalm 106:1).

2. Blessing for the Righteous
A blessing is pronounced on those who uphold justice and practice righteousness. "Blessed are those who uphold justice, who practice righteousness at all times" (Psalm 106:3).

3. Petition for Favor
The psalmist asks God to remember him with favor and to visit him with salvation. "Remember me, O LORD, in Your favor to Your people; visit me with Your salvation" (Psalm 106:4).

4. Rebellion at the Red Sea
The Israelites rebelled against God at the Red Sea, yet He saved them for His name's sake. "Yet He saved them for the sake of His name, to make His power known" (Psalm 106:8).

5. Forgotten Works and Murmuring
The people quickly forgot God's works and did not wait for His counsel, leading to murmuring in the wilderness. "They soon forgot His works and failed to wait for His counsel" (Psalm 106:13).

6. Craving in the Desert
The Israelites craved intensely in the desert, and God granted their request but sent a wasting disease among them. "So He gave them their request, but sent a wasting disease upon them" (Psalm 106:15).

7. Jealousy of Moses and Aaron
Envy arose against Moses and Aaron, leading to the earth swallowing Dathan and the company of Abiram. "The earth opened and swallowed Dathan; it covered the assembly of Abiram" (Psalm 106:17).

8. Golden Calf at Horeb
The Israelites made a calf at Horeb and worshiped a molten image, exchanging their glory for the image of an ox. "They exchanged their Glory for the image of an ox that eats grass" (Psalm 106:20).

9. Despising the Promised Land
The people despised the pleasant land and did not believe God's promise, leading to their wandering in the wilderness. "They despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His promise" (Psalm 106:24).

10. Baal of Peor and Plague
The Israelites yoked themselves to Baal of Peor, and a plague broke out among them until Phinehas intervened. "But Phinehas stood and intervened, and the plague was restrained" (Psalm 106:30).

11. Waters of Meribah
The people angered God at the waters of Meribah, causing trouble for Moses. "For they rebelled against His Spirit, and Moses spoke rashly with his lips" (Psalm 106:33).

12. Idolatry and Sacrifices
The Israelites mingled with the nations, served their idols, and sacrificed their sons and daughters to demons. "They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons" (Psalm 106:37).

13. God's Anger and Deliverance
Despite God's anger and the oppression of enemies, He heard their cry and remembered His covenant, showing mercy. "Nevertheless He heard their cry; He took note of their distress" (Psalm 106:44).

14. Final Petition and Praise
The psalm concludes with a plea for salvation and gathering from the nations, followed by a doxology. "Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name and glory in Your praise" (Psalm 106:47).
Topics
1. Praise for God's Goodness and Mercy
The psalm begins with a call to praise the Lord for His goodness and enduring mercy. The Hebrew word "חֶסֶד" (chesed) is often translated as "mercy" or "lovingkindness," emphasizing God's steadfast love.
^"Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever."^ (Psalm 106:1)

2. Blessing for the Righteous
A blessing is pronounced on those who uphold justice and practice righteousness, highlighting the importance of living according to God's statutes.
^"Blessed are those who uphold justice, who practice righteousness at all times."^ (Psalm 106:3)

3. Petition for God's Favor
The psalmist asks for God's favor and salvation, expressing a desire to share in the joy of God's chosen people.
^"Remember me, O LORD, in Your favor to Your people; visit me with Your salvation."^ (Psalm 106:4)

4. Rebellion at the Red Sea
The Israelites' rebellion at the Red Sea is recounted, yet God saved them for His name's sake, demonstrating His power.
^"Yet He saved them for the sake of His name, to make His power known."^ (Psalm 106:8)

5. Forgetfulness of God's Works
The Israelites quickly forgot God's works and did not wait for His counsel, leading to further rebellion.
^"They soon forgot His works and failed to wait for His counsel."^ (Psalm 106:13)

6. Idolatry and the Golden Calf
The making of the golden calf at Horeb is highlighted as a significant act of idolatry, replacing the glory of God with an image.
^"At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped a molten image."^ (Psalm 106:19)

7. Intercession of Moses
Moses' intercession for the people is noted as a pivotal moment that turned away God's wrath.
^"So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them."^ (Psalm 106:23)

8. Rebellion at the Promised Land
The refusal to enter the Promised Land due to unbelief is recounted, showing a lack of trust in God's promise.
^"They despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His promise."^ (Psalm 106:24)

9. Consequences of Sin
The psalm details various consequences of Israel's sins, including plagues and being handed over to their enemies.
^"Therefore He raised His hand and swore to cast them down in the wilderness."^ (Psalm 106:26)

10. God's Faithfulness and Mercy
Despite their repeated unfaithfulness, God remembered His covenant and relented according to His great mercy.
^"Yet He heard their cry; He took note of their distress."^ (Psalm 106:44)

11. Final Plea for Salvation
The psalm concludes with a plea for God to save and gather His people, ending with a doxology of praise.
^"Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name and glory in Your praise."^ (Psalm 106:47)
Themes
1. Praise and Thanksgiving
Psalm 106 begins with a call to praise the Lord: "Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever" (Psalm 106:1). The Hebrew word for "loving devotion" is "chesed," which signifies God's steadfast love and mercy.

2. Confession of Sin
The psalmist acknowledges the sins of Israel: "We have sinned like our fathers; we have done wrong and acted wickedly" (Psalm 106:6). This theme highlights the importance of recognizing and confessing one's sins.

3. God’s Faithfulness Despite Human Unfaithfulness
Despite Israel's repeated disobedience, God remains faithful: "Yet He saved them for the sake of His name, to make His power known" (Psalm 106:8). The Hebrew root "yasha" (to save) underscores God's deliverance.

4. Rebellion and Idolatry
The psalm recounts Israel's rebellion and idolatry, such as the worship of the golden calf: "They made a calf at Horeb and worshiped a molten image" (Psalm 106:19). This theme serves as a warning against turning away from God.

5. Intercession and Mediation
Moses' intercession for Israel is highlighted: "So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach" (Psalm 106:23). The Hebrew word "paga" (to intercede) emphasizes the role of a mediator.

6. Consequences of Disobedience
The psalm details the consequences of Israel's disobedience, such as being scattered among the nations: "He handed them over to the nations, and those who hated them ruled over them" (Psalm 106:41). This theme underscores the seriousness of sin.

7. God’s Mercy and Deliverance
Despite their rebellion, God shows mercy: "Nevertheless He regarded their affliction when He heard their cry" (Psalm 106:44). The Hebrew root "racham" (to have compassion) highlights God's merciful nature.

8. Covenant Relationship
The psalm reflects on the covenant relationship between God and Israel: "He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion" (Psalm 106:45). The Hebrew word "berith" (covenant) signifies this enduring bond.

9. Call to Remember and Obey
The psalm concludes with a call to remember God's works and obey His commands: "Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name and glory in Your praise" (Psalm 106:47). This theme encourages faithfulness to God.

10. Doxology and Benediction
The psalm ends with a doxology: "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, 'Amen!' Hallelujah!" (Psalm 106:48). This closing emphasizes eternal praise and worship of God.
Answering Tough Questions
1. Psalm 106:9 states God dried up the Red Sea for Israel’s passage—do we have any historical or scientific evidence that such an event actually happened?

2. Psalm 106:17 says the earth swallowed Dathan and his followers—how do we reconcile this with a lack of archaeological confirmation of such an event?

3. Psalm 106:29 recounts a plague as divine punishment—why is there no extra-biblical record or historical data attesting to this widespread incident?

4. Psalm 106:34–35 suggests Israel did not fully conquer or destroy surrounding nations—how does this align with biblical passages that claim they subdued the land completely?

5. Psalm 106:37 speaks of sacrificing children to demons—what non-biblical evidence supports or contradicts the claim that Israelites practiced child sacrifice?

Bible Study Discussion Questions

1. How does the Israelites' repeated cycle of rebellion and God's forgiveness resonate with your personal life?

2. In what ways have you experienced God's mercy in your life?

3. Can you identify with the Israelites' moments of doubt and disobedience?

4. How can remembering past deliverance strengthen our faith during periods of trials?

5. What does Psalm 106 reveal about God's character?

6. How does the Psalmist’s confession in verse 6 apply to our modern society?

7. How can we resist the temptation to forget God's deeds, as the Israelites did after leaving Egypt?

8. How does the incident of the Golden Calf reflect human nature's propensity to stray away?

9. Moses' intercession for the Israelites shows his leadership quality. Can you share an instance when you had to intercede on someone's behalf?

10. Why do you think the Israelites struggled to fully obey God's command to drive out the nations?

11. In what ways are we influenced by the 'idols' or worldly desires in today's society?

12. How can the Psalmist’s pleas for mercy guide us in our prayers today?

13. How does Psalm 106 challenge you to respond to God's mercy and patience?

14. What does the Psalm teach us about the consequences of forgetting God’s benefits?

15. How does this Psalm highlight the importance of repentance?

16. What can we learn from Moses's interaction with God in the Psalm?

17. How does this Psalm encourage you to trust in God's promises, despite difficult circumstances?

18. In what ways does the history of Israel serve as a mirror to our spiritual journey?

19. How can we maintain a spirit of gratitude and praise in times of personal rebellion and restoration?

20. What steps can we take to avoid the cycle of forgetting God’s deeds and falling into disobedience?



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