TEXT : Psa 106:1  Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psa 106:2  Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise? Psa 106:3  Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. Psa 106:4  Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; Psa 106:5  That I may see the good of thy chosen , that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance. Psa 106:6  We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.

 

THEME : MERCY AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

 

As with so many Psalms, Psalm 106 begins with praise to God. Even though this Psalm recalls Israel's sinning against the LORD, it nevertheless begins and ends with "Praise [ye] the LORD." As noted below, God is infinitely patient with His people, even though sinful. For this alone, we have cause to praise God.

 

"This Psalm begins and ends with Hallelujah - "Praise ye the Lord." The space between these two descriptions of praise is filled up with the mournful details of Israel's sin, and the extraordinary patience of God; and truly we do well to bless the Lord both at the be ginning and the end of our meditations when sin and grace are the themes. This sacred song is occupied with the historical part of the Old Testament, and is one of many which are thus composed: surely this should be a sufficient rebuke to those who speak slightingly of the historical Scriptures; it ill becomes a child of God to think lightly of that which the Holy Spirit so frequently uses for our instruction. What other Scriptures had David beside those very histories which are so depreciated, and yet he esteemed them beyond his necessary food, and made them his songs in the house of his pilgrimage?

 

Israel's history is here written with the View of showing human sin, even as the preceding Psalm was composed to magnify divine goodness. It is, in fact, a national confession, and includes an acknowledgment of the transgressions of Israel in Egypt, in the wilderness, and in Canaan, with devout petitions for forgiveness such as rendered the Psalm suitable for use in all succeeding generations, and especially in times of national captivity. It was probably written by David, - at any rate its first and last two verses are to be found in that sacred song which David delivered to Asaph when he brought up the ark of the Lord (1Ch_16:34, 1Ch_16:35, 1Ch_16:36).

 

While we are studying this holy Psalm, let us all along see ourselves in the Lord's ancient people, and bemoan our own provocations of the Most High, at the same time admiring his infinite patience, and adoring him because of it. May the Holy Spirit sanctify it to the promotion of humility and gratitude." [C.H. Spurgeon]

 

The question is asked - "Who" can utter His mighty acts and show His praise? The answer would naturally be - those to whom He has showed Himself powerful. The response must be - to those who have experienced His mercy, been taught His goodness and seen His salvation. These are the ones, and the only ones who can utter His might acts and give Him praise. For if a man or woman has not seen His goodness, mercy, might, and miracles, how can they praise Him or utter what they have not seen? Reason dictates they cannot. However, those who have "tasted and seen" that the LORD is good, can show forth His praise. Thus, God says - "ye shall be my witnesses." [Isa_43:10  Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. Isa_43:12  I have declared, and have sav ed, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. Isa_44:8  Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. ]

 

"To bless God (Psa_106:1, Psa_106:2): Praise you the Lord, that is, 1. Give him thanks for his goodness, the manifestation of it to us, and the many instances of it. He is good and his mercy endures for ever; let us therefore own our obligations to him and make him a return of our best affections and services. 2. Give him the glory of his greatness, his mighty acts, proofs of his almighty power, wherein he has done great things, and such as would be opposed. Who can utter these? Who is worthy to do it? Who is able to do it? They are so many that they cannot be numbered, so mysterious that they cannot be described; when we have said the most we can of the mighty acts of the Lord, the one half is not told; still there is more to be said; it is a subject that cannot be exhausted. We must show forth his praise; we may show forth some o f it, but who can show forth all? Not the angels themselves. This will not excuse us in not doing what we can, but should quicken us to do all we can." [Matthew Henry]

 

Nevertheless, it is in some ways impossible to find language to express the complete mercy and majesty of God Almighty. This is the opinion of Albert Barnes.

 

"Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? - Who can speak the great things of God? Who can find language which will suitably express what he has done, or which will "come up" in sublimity to his acts? In other words, human language must fall immeasurably short of adequately expressing the praises of Yahweh, or conveying the fullness of what he has done. Who has not felt this when he has endeavored to praise God in a proper manner? Compare the notes at Psa_40:5. Who can shew forth all his praise - Hebrew, "Cause to be heard." That is, Language cannot be found which would cause "it to be heard" in a suitable manner. 8221; [Albert Barnes]

 

Still, although there may not be any words that fully or adequately share the glory of God, you are exhorted to do so anyway. Language may fall short. Words may fail. Yet, you are to praise the LORD for His goodness, mercy, and love. Sometimes, when you are aware of your exceeding sinfulness, it is hard to praise Him. In these moments, you will no doubt. Not be inclined to praise God. Yet, it is because He is so merciful that praise is fitting! If all we had was knowledge of sin, and with that knowledge the sense of condemnation, censure, blame, and God's disapproval, then how could you lift your head to look at Him let alone open your mouth in praise? Therefore, the LORD declares in His Word that His mercies endure - forever! [Psa 107:1  O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.]

 

The statement - "his mercy endureth for ever" is found 41 times in the Old Testament, with 33 of them occurring in the Book of Psalms! Thus, you have cause to approach God and access to His throne that you can find grace to help in the time of need. [Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.]

 

"None of our sins or sufferings should prevent our ascribing glory and praise to the Lord. The more unworthy we are, the more is his kindness to be admired. And those who depend on the Redeemer's righteousness will endeavour to copy his example, and by word and deed to show forth his praise. God's people have reason to be cheerful people; and need not envy the children of men their pleasure or pride." [Matthew Henry]

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "YOU ARE OBLIGED TO BE MERCIFUL!"

 

There are occasions in the Holy Scriptures when God's own people ask him to "remember" them. This is not to infer He forgets. How could God forget anything let alone anyone? Yet, there are times when you will need to pray, for more mercy still, that God would remember you with respect your current trouble or situation. Of all the "remember me[s]" in the Bible [see below][1] none is more touching and encouraging than Christ's words to the thief on the cross.

 

"And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." [Luke 23:39 - 43]

 

Nothing could encourage you more than to know mercy and forgiveness is available to the last minute of life and up to the last breath [as it were] you will ever take! Here, a convicted thief during executi on on a Roman cross - a punishment reserved for only the worst of Rome's criminals, is shown mercy by Christ to the end that at the conclusion of that day, he would be in Heaven - with Christ! What good news ["Gospel"] indeed! The worst of humanity can come to the Eternal God and receive forgiveness and eternal life! The thief on the cross who, like the author of Psalm 106 simply said - "remember me" is in Heaven with Christ for all eternity!

 

It is odd in a sense that the thief would say "remember me." This, one would imagine is reserved only for the righteous. Otherwise, who would want God to remember him? If remembrance of your life as a criminal were brought before Almighty God, what would recommend you to God? For this reason, we have great occasion to praise God. He has forgiven and forgotten our sins through the New Covenant, so you receive freely God's mercy to eternal life!

 

Psa_103:10  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. [see below][2]

 

AS you can see, God is not dealing with you according to your sin, but rather according to His mercy. Thank God for His truth, and its power to set us free! So, great is His mercy, that He promises to cast them into the depths of the sea! [That is, the proverbial "sea of forgetfulness"

 

Mic 7:19  He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Mic 7:20  Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

 

I stand before you guilty and unworthy

How can I be forgiven and Holy

And I know I break Your Heart

But you promised I could start all over

 

And all the things I've done

You placed them each and everyone

Into the sea of forgetfulness

 

"Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people,.... The Lord has a special and peculiar people, whom he has chosen, taken into covenant, given to his Son, redeemed by him, who are called by grace, and brought to glory: to these he bears a peculiar favour, loves with an everlasting love; which he has shown in the choice of them; in the gift of his Son to them; in their regeneration, and eternal salvation. Now nothing can be more desirable than an interest in this favour, in which is life, spiritual and eternal; is the strength and security of believers, the source of their comfort, and the foundation of their happiness: to be remembered with this is to hav e a view of interest in it, a comfortable sensation of it, and an application of benefits by it.  O visit me with thy salvation; a prayer, either for the coming of Christ, as God's salvation, promised, expected, and wished for; or, however, for an application of spiritual salvation to be wrought out by him; for a view of interest in it; to have the joys and comforts of it now, and the full possession of it hereafter. A gracious and desirable visit this! The ends of such requests, or of such a visit, follow:" [John Gill]

 

Thus, we must be merciful in order to receive mercy. [Mat_5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.] If we are to "die the death of the righteous" we must be merciful. For if we are forgiven, we must forgive. [Mat_6:15  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Mat_18:35  So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.]

 

"Remember me, O Lord, with the favor that thou bearest unto thy people - literally, "Remember me with the favor of thy people." This is the language of the author of the psalm: a pious ejaculation such as will occur to the mind in recounting what God has done for his church; what are the advantages of being his friends; what blessings of peace, happiness, and joy are connected with true religion. Even the wicked sometimes have this feeling when they look on the happy life, and the peaceful death of the godly. So Balaam said, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!" Num_23:10.O visit me with thy salvation - Come to me with salvation; confer it upon me." [Albert Barnes]

 

Pray the LORD help you die the death of the righteous, and be merciful. For mercy is our obligation to whom He has shown mercy.

 

1Sa_1:11  And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. < /o:p>

 

Neh_13:14  Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.

 

Neh_13:22  And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

 

Neh_13:31  And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

 

Job_14:13  O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!

 

Psa_106:4  Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;

 

Jer_15:15  O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.

 

Eze_6:9  And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

 

Zec_10:9  And I will sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.

 

Luk_23:42  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

 

1Co_11:2  Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

[2] 1Co_15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

 

Gal_1:4  Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

 

Heb_1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

 

1Pe_2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, bein g dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

 

1Jn_1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

1Jn_2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

1Jn_3:5  And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

 

1Jn_4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

Rev_1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,