Sin and God’s Faithfulness
Psalm 106:2 – “Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD or declare all his praise?”
Read: Psalm 106:1–18
When do we find it most appropriate to give thanks to the Lord? Most often we give thanks as we acknowledge God’s blessings and goodness in our lives. But that isn’t where Psalm 106 takes us. The psalmist invites us to give thanks to the LORD for his goodness and then moves on and makes us think seriously about our sins. Psalm 106 turns out to be a very lengthy confession of sin that is placed in the context of God’s faithfulness.
To take ownership of our transgressions and then speak of them within the context of God’s faithfulness teaches us an important lesson. Sin is rebellion against the Most High majesty of our covenant God. It plagues our hearts and constantly finds its way into the life of the church. As the psalmist speaks about the rebellion of God’s people, he places the darkness of sin against the bright background of the LORD’s covenant faithfulness and salvation. This is why the psalm begins and ends with praising the LORD. What a marvellous display of goodness and grace!
Shortly after Israel was delivered from the bondage of Egypt, the thread of corruption began to unravel the moral fibre of the nation. God’s people allowed themselves to be influenced by the practices and immoral behaviour of the surrounding nations. They quickly adapted themselves to the lifestyle, philosophy and customs of those they were called to destroy. The list of sins mentioned in Psalm 106
could have gone on but thankfully it doesn’t, because Israel had already hit bottom – the bottom of the downward spiral of dethroning God and dehumanizing people (vv. 36–39).
In the shadows of sin Psalm 106 proclaims the glorious gospel of salvation in Christ alone. We continue to exist because the Lord is faithful. His purpose stands. He will continue with us and shower on us his salvation in spite of who we are in ourselves. Knowing the great depths of our sin and the even greater depths of God’s mercy in Christ, we pray for mercy and we say “Hallelujah” for grace received. Our faithlessness does not nullify God’s faithfulness.
That should put a spring in our step and fill our hearts with praise. The psalmist asks, “Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD or declare his praise?” By now we know who should, don’t we!?