Psa 106:44-46 | TDavid | STEP | EXPOSITION Verse 44 . Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry. Notwithstanding all these provoking rebellions and detestable enormities the Lord still heard their prayer and pitied them. This is very wonderful, very godlike. One would have thought that the Lord would have shut out their prayer, seeing they had shut their ears against his admonitions; but no, he had a father's heart, and a sight of their sorrows touched his soul, the sound of their cries overcame his heart, and he looked upon them with compassion. His fiercest wrath towards his own people is only a temporary flame, but his love burns on for ever like the light of his own immortality. HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS Verse 44-45 . Sin in God's people. Is very provoking to God. Ensures chastisement. Is to be sincerely mourned -- "their cry." Will be graciously forgiven, and its effect removed. So the covenant promises.

Psalms 106:44-46

EXPOSITION

Verse 44. Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry. Notwithstanding all these provoking rebellions and detestable enormities the Lord still heard their prayer and pitied them. This is very wonderful, very godlike. One would have thought that the Lord would have shut out their prayer, seeing they had shut their ears against his admonitions; but no, he had a father's heart, and a sight of their sorrows touched his soul, the sound of their cries overcame his heart, and he looked upon them with compassion. His fiercest wrath towards his own people is only a temporary flame, but his love burns on for ever like the light of his own immortality.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 44-45. Sin in God's people.

EXPOSITION

Verse 45. And he remembered for them his covenant. The covenant is the sure foundation of mercy, and when the whole fabric of outward grace manifested in the saints lies in ruins this is the fundamental basis of love which is never moved, and upon it the Lord proceeds to build again a new structure of grace. Covenant mercy is sure as the throne of God.

And repented according to the multitude of his mercies. He did not carry out the destruction which he had commenced. Speaking after the manner of men he changed his mind, and did not leave them to their enemies to be utterly cut off, because he saw that his covenant would in such a case have been broken. The Lord is so full of grace that he has not only mercy but mercies, yea a multitude of them, and these hive in the covenant and treasure up good for the erring sons of men.

EXPOSITION

Verse 46. He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives. Having the hearts of all men in his hands he produced compassion even in heathen bosoms. Even as he found Joseph friends in Egypt, so did he raise up sympathizers for his captive servants. In our very worst condition our God has ways and means for allaying the severity of our sorrows: he can find us helpers among those who have been our oppressors, and he will do so if we be indeed his people.

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

Verse 46. He made them also to be pitied of all them that carried them captives. This improved feeling towards the Jews through God's influence appears in Daniel 1:9; as Joseph similarly had his captivity improved by God's favour (Genesis 39:21). So Evil merodach, King of Babylon, treated kindly Jehoiachin, king of Judah (2 Kings 25:27). --A.R. Fausset.