The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Counsel” it comes from the Hebrew Word “etsah” which means “counsel, advice.”
The psalmist honestly recounts Israel’s repeated rebellion alongside God’s persistent mercy. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Psalm 106.
The psalmist calls everyone to praise the Lord, giving thanks to Him, for He is good, His mercy enduring forever. He asks who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord, or show forth all His praise. He declares blessed are those who keep judgment, and he who does righteousness at all times.
The psalmist confesses that their fathers understood not God’s wonders in Egypt, and rebelled at the sea, even the Red Sea. Yet He saved them for His name’s sake, that He might make His mighty power known. He describes how they soon forgot His works, not waiting for His “counsel” (“etsah” in Hebrew). They lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
The psalmist recounts extensive cycles of rebellion: the golden calf at Horeb, despising the pleasant land, murmuring in their tents. They joined themselves to Baalpeor, and provoked God at the waters of strife. They mingled among the heathen and learned their works, even sacrificing their sons and daughters to devils. So the Lord’s wrath was kindled against His people, giving them into the hand of the heathen. Yet many times He delivered them, though they provoked Him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless He regarded their affliction when He heard their cry, remembering His covenant for their sake, and repenting according to the multitude of His mercies. He closes with a plea: “Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name.” These are fitting words, concluding this entire fourth book of the Psalms with honest confession alongside genuine hope.
This psalm is unflinchingly honest about Israel’s repeated failures, rebellion after rebellion despite God’s persistent mercy. It offers a sobering but genuinely instructive pattern, for recognizing similar tendencies within our own hearts across every generation. It closes with the observation that God regarded their affliction and remembered His covenant, even amid such extensive unfaithfulness. It provides real hope that His mercy consistently outlasts even repeated human failure.
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