11. The LORD Is Good

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Hymns: RHC 482 I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord 485 The Lord Is Good, 432 How Good Is the God We Adore 454 Make Me a Blessing

Psalm 106

1 Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he isgood: for his mercy endurethfor ever. 2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? whocan shew forth all his praise? 3 Blessed arethey that keep judgment, andhe that doeth righteousness at all times. 4 Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest untothy people: O visit me with thy salvation; 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. 6 We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. 7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked himat the sea, evenat the Red sea. 8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. 9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. 10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11 And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. 12 Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. 13 They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: 14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. 15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. 16 They envied Moses also in the camp, andAaron the saint of the LORD. 17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. 18 And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked. 19 They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. 20 Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. 21 They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt; 22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, andterrible things by the Red sea. 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. 24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: 25 But murmured in their tents, andhearkened not unto the voice of the LORD. 26 Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness: 27 To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands. 28 They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. 29 Thus they provoked himto anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. 30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and sothe plague was stayed. 31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore. 32 They angered himalso at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: 33 Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips. 34 They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: 35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. 36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. 37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, 38 And shed innocent blood, eventhe blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. 39 Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. 40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. 41 And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. 42 Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand. 43 Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked himwith their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. 44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: 45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies. 46 He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives. 47 Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, andto triumph in thy praise. 48 Blessed bethe LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD. Psalm 106:1-48 (KJV)

THE LORD IS GOOD

OUTLINE

  • Giving Thanks to Him (v1-2)
    • His Mercy Fails Not
  • Exemplify Him (v3)
    • Live a Holy Life 
  • Remember Him (v4-5)
    • He is Able to Help 
  • Make Right with Him (v6)
    • Put Wickedness Away
  • Learn from His Story (v7-46)
    • Spurning His Goodness (v7-39)
      • Sinning in Egypt (v7-12)
        • Unfaithfulness (v7-12)  
      • Sinning in Wilderness (v13-26)
        • Discontentment (v13-15)
        • Jealousy (v16-18)
        • Idolatry (v19-23)
        • Unbelief (v24-27)
        • Apostasy (v28-31)
        • Rebellion (v32-33)
      • Sinning in Promised Land (v34-
        • Disobedience (v34-35)
        • Gross Idolatry (v36-39)
    • Receiving His Chastisement (v40-46)
      • Oppression by Enemies (v41-42)
    • Experiencing His Mercies (v43-46)
      • They cried (v43)
      • He remembered (v44)
      • He saved (v45-46)
  • Bless Him (v47-48)
    • Triumph Yet Again with Him 

INTRODUCTION

This is a psalm of thanksgiving testifying to posterity that the LORD is good. His patient dealing and longsuffering with His people is a testimony of who He is. His goodness is manifested in His character – Holy (v47), True (v45a) and Love (v45b). God’s dealing with His people is an expression of His character – righteous (v3), faithful (v43) and merciful (v45). Man ceases not to be sinful and it is indeed a great blessing that the LORD ceases not to be merciful (Spurgeon).

This psalm is possibly a psalm written as a prayer for God’s mercy to deliver His people from trouble. He will yet again help us. But will we choose to disappoint Him again? We must choose to please Him and glorify Him for all He has done for us, to live holy lives according to His Word.

We choose kindness, to be kind to all because we have experienced His kindness toward us.

  • Giving Thanks to Him (v1-2)
    • His Mercy Fails Not
  • Exemplify Him (v3)
    • Live a Holy Life 
  • Remember Him (v4-5)
    • He is Able to Help 
  • Make Right with Him (v6)
    • Put Wickedness Away

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

Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can show forth all His praise? Those who have experienced Him, those who have been blessed by Him, those grateful hearts who know they do not deserve it but God has yet again showed His mercy. Will you live for Him? 

How we need Him to remember us and to visit us with His salvation this day. Let us make right with Him again for we have yet sinned against Him. Let His peace and joy may once again fill our hearts!

  • Learn from His Story (v7-46)
    • Spurning His Goodness (v7-39)
      • Sinning in Egypt (v7-12)
        • Unfaithfulness (v7-12)  
      • Sinning in Wilderness (v13-26)
        • Discontentment (v13-15)
        • Jealousy (v16-18)
        • Idolatry (v19-23)
        • Unbelief (v24-27)
        • Apostasy (v28-31)
        • Rebellion (v32-33)
      • Sinning in Promised Land (v34-
        • Disobedience (v34-35)
        • Gross Idolatry (v36-39)
    • Receiving His Chastisement (v40-46)
      • Oppression by Enemies (v41-42)
    • Experiencing His Mercies (v43-46)
      • They cried (v43)
      • He remembered (v44)
      • He saved (v45-46)

The sins of Israel are delineated by the psalmist one by one as a flash back in history – His longsuffering and patience in not consuming them. This is the story of His unfailing mercy toward His people. We see the interplay of His goodness manifested in His character – Holy (v47), True (v45a) and Love (v45b). God’s dealing with His people is an expression of His character – righteous (v3), faithful (v43) and merciful (v45).

When Israel sinned, God chastises them. They realize their sins and seek forgiveness. He remembered them.

43 Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. 44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: 45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies. 46 He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.

Truly, we have a great God who is so good to us. He remembered His covenant. It is an unconditional and one-sided persevering on His part. Yet it behoves us to respond in like manner! 

  • Bless Him (v47-48)
    • Triumph Yet Again with Him

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. 48 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD. 

Do you come with some burden? Our LORD is able to help you. Continue to seek Him. He will not leave nor forsake you. 

CONCLUSION

Let us strive in His strength to live for Him each day! Amen.