What actions led to God's anger in Psalm 106:40? Placing Psalm 106:40 in Context Psalm 106 recounts Israel’s repeated unfaithfulness and the Lord’s faithful discipline. The verse in focus—“Therefore the LORD’s anger burned against His people, and He abhorred His own inheritance” (Psalm 106:40)—is explained by the sinful actions listed immediately before it (vv. 34-39). Actions That Provoked God’s Anger 1. Ignoring God’s clear commands • “They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them” (v. 34). • Compare Exodus 23:32-33; Deuteronomy 7:2. 2. Compromising with surrounding cultures • “But mingled with the nations and adopted their customs” (v. 35). • Contrast Leviticus 20:23, “You must not walk in the customs of the nation I am driving out before you.” 3. Practicing idolatry • “They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them” (v. 36). • See Exodus 20:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:14 for later New Testament warning. 4. Committing child sacrifice • “They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons” (v. 37). • Deuteronomy 12:31, “They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.” 5. Shedding innocent blood • “They shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters … and the land was polluted with blood” (v. 38). • Proverbs 6:16-17 lists “hands that shed innocent blood” among things the Lord hates. 6. Moral and spiritual defilement • “They defiled themselves by their actions and prostituted themselves by their deeds” (v. 39). • Ezekiel 16:15-17 uses similar imagery for idolatry as spiritual prostitution. Key Observations From the Text • The slide into judgment was gradual—first tolerating, then adopting, finally embracing pagan practices. • Each step amplified covenant disloyalty, violating the first two commandments (Exodus 20:3-6). • The phrase “polluted with blood” underscores how sin affects not only people but also the land (cf. Numbers 35:33-34). What These Actions Reveal About God’s Character • God’s holiness cannot overlook persistent, unrepentant sin (Isaiah 59:1-2). • His anger is righteous, flowing from covenant love and the demand for justice (Deuteronomy 32:16-20). • Even severe judgment has redemptive intent; later verses (Psalm 106:44-45) show His willingness to hear their cry and remember His covenant. Principles for Believers Today • Partial obedience is disobedience; compromise opens the door to deeper sin (James 4:4). • Idolatry may look different now—career, pleasure, self—but still provokes God’s jealousy (1 John 5:21). • Guarding worship and moral purity remains essential for experiencing God’s favor (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). |
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