Justin Houtz

1 Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19

DateVersionReading Plan
May 2, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

Psalm 106

Observation & Interpretation

This is a praise psalm that recounts the history of Israel and wonderfully portrays God’s steadfast love despite the continual wickedness of man. The psalmist opens with praising God for His enduring steadfast love and declares a blessing over the righteous (v. 1-3). He asks for the LORD’s remembrance when He shows favor to His people that the psalmist would glory with His inheritance (v. 4-5). From here, the psalmist depicts Israel’s past from their time of Egypt, how they had sinned, committed iniquity and done wickedness (v. 6). Yet God saved them for His name’s sake, that He might make known His mighty power, rebuking the Red Sea such that His people could cross as if through a desert and the waters covered their adversaries, leading the people to singing His praise (v. 8-12).

But, the people soon forgot the LORD’s works and did not wait for His counsel, having a wanton craving and putting God to the test in the desert (v. 13-14). The people expressed jealousy toward Moses and Aaron, leading to the earth swallowing Dathan and Abiram and fire breaking out on their company (v. 16-18). The people carried on in idolatry, making a calf at Horeb and worshiping the metal image (v. 19). They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass, a striking contrast similarly spoken by Paul in his letter to the Romans (Rom. 1:23). The people forgot their God and Savior who had done great things and wondrous works (v. 21-22). Therefore, God said that He would destroy them had Moses not stood in the breach before Him, turning away His wrath from destroying them (v. 23)

This pattern continues with the people despising the pleasant land (v. 24), yoking themselves to the Baal in Peor (v. 28) and all other manner of rebellion against the LORD, kindling His anger and disciplining His people, but still delivering them and looking upon them in their distress when He heard their cry (v. 44).

Application

The longsuffering of our God and His willingness to work in our brokenness in the face of our incessant treason should elicit both mortification of our sinful disposition and utter gratitude for His enduring love. Our radical corruption and selfish pursuits warrant His just punishment, but instead of giving us what we deserve, He pours out His mercy. This He did to extreme degree in the sending and sacrificing His only Son. He meets our wickedness with His grace, our abasement with His kindness, taking upon Himself the chastisement that is our due. “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Praise the LORD!” (Ps. 106:48)

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