Psalms 106:34-46

Psalms 106:34-39 relate Israel’s unfaithfulness in the Promised Land. Rather than destroying the Canaanites and their altars, as God had commanded, the Israelites lived among these people, learned their customs, and worshipped their gods. They even participated in child sacrifice rites associated with pagan worship. These involved worshipping demons rather than the true God (cf. Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Corinthians 10:20). Israel behaved as a harlot by being unfaithful to God.

Psalms 106:40-46 summarize the approximately 300 years of Israel’s history that the Book of Judges records (cf. Judges 2:11-23). The Israelites sank lower and lower spiritually during those years. It was God’s faithfulness to His covenant with them and His loyal love that led Him to have mercy on them repeatedly. When they cried out to Him He delivered them (cf. Judges 3:15; et al.). The truth of Psalms 106:46 stands documented in Israel’s later history (cf. Ezra 9:9; Nehemiah 2:8; Esther 8:7-12; et al.).