"Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise?"

Psalm 106:1-2

The psalm begins and ends with a call to praise the Lord. Verses 1–3 celebrate God’s goodness, love, and mighty acts – and pronounce a blessing on those who do what is right. Verses 4 and 5 are a personal appeal to God to save the psalmist, and verse 6 is a communal confession of sin. All this contrasts with the people’s rebellion and God’s discipline throughout their history.

It is not until we reach the end that we see why the psalmist can be so confident in these opening verses. In verse 44 we find that God took note of their distress, and in verse 45 that ‘he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented.’ In the Bible, when God remembers, he acts. This is particularly so when he remembers his covenant. God had made a solemn commitment to be their God and they had committed to be God’s people. Despite their ongoing rebellion, God was committed to them. Therefore, they confidently pray, ‘Save us Lord our God … that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise’ (v. 47).

CLOSING PRAYER

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you love me with a love that will never let me go. Thank you that you will never reject my confessions and will always receive me when I come to you.

(Edited from Encounter with God)