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Psalm 106
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106:1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for
ever. |
(106:1) "Give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for
ever."
Then why is the Bible so full of cruelties either committed or commanded by God?
Is God merciful?
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106:2
Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his
praise?
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106:3
Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at
all times. |
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106:4
Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O
visit me with thy salvation; |
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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. |
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106:6
We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done
wickedly. |
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106:7
Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the
multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. |
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106:8
Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his
mighty power to be known. |
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106:9
He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through
the depths, as through the wilderness. |
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106:10
And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them
from the hand of the enemy. |
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106:11
And the waters
covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. |
(106:11-18) God is praised for the creative ways
that he kills people: drowning, earth-swallowing, burning, etc.
(106:11-12) "The waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. Then believed they his words; they sang his praise."
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106:12
Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.
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106:13
They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:
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106:14
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
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106:15
And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. |
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106:16
They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD. |
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106:17
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram. |
(106:17) "He earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram."
(106:18) "And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked."
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106:18
And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.
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106:19
They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. |
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106:20
Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth
grass. |
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106:21
They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt; |
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106:22
Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea. |
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106:23
Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen
stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should
destroy them. |
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106:24
Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: |
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106:25
But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD. |
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106:26
Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the
wilderness: |
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106:27
To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the
lands. |
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106:28
They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the
dead. |
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106:29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague
brake in upon them. |
(106:29-30) God sent a plague on the Israelites for "committing whoredom with the daughters of Moab." But "then
stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment [by throwing a spear through a newly married couple]: and so
the plague was stayed." But not before 24,000 (1 Cor.10:8 says 23,000) had died.
(See Num.25:6-9 for all the gory details.)
(106:29) "Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague
brake in upon them."
(106:30) "Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed."
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106:30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was
stayed.
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106:31
And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for
evermore.
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106:32
They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with
Moses for their sakes:
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106:33
Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his
lips.
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106:34
They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: |
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106:35
But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. |
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106:36
And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. |
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106:37
Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, |
"And they sacrificed their sons and
their daughters to devils" (Unknown, 12th Century)
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106:38
And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their
daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was
polluted with blood.
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106:39
Thus were they
defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
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(106:39) "Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with
their own inventions."
God is offended by those who make things
with their hands or invent things with their minds.
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106:40
Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch
that he abhorred his own inheritance.
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106:41
And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them
ruled over them. |
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106:42
Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection
under their hand. |
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106:43
Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel,
and were brought low for their iniquity. |
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106:44
Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: |
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106:45
And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the
multitude of his mercies. |
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106:46
He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives. |
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106:47
Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give
thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise. |
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106:48
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let
all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.
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