SAVE US, LORD, FROM OUR COMMUNAL SINS

Passage: Psalms 106:34-48

Key verse: 47

NIV

34 They did not destroy(A) the peoples
    as the Lord had commanded(B) them,
35 but they mingled(C) with the nations
    and adopted their customs.
36 They worshiped their idols,(D)
    which became a snare(E) to them.
37 They sacrificed their sons(F)
    and their daughters to false gods.(G)
38 They shed innocent blood,
    the blood of their sons(H) and daughters,
whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan,
    and the land was desecrated by their blood.
39 They defiled themselves(I) by what they did;
    by their deeds they prostituted(J) themselves.

40 Therefore the Lord was angry(K) with his people
    and abhorred his inheritance.(L)
41 He gave them into the hands(M) of the nations,
    and their foes ruled over them.
42 Their enemies oppressed(N) them
    and subjected them to their power.
43 Many times he delivered them,(O)
    but they were bent on rebellion(P)
    and they wasted away in their sin.
44 Yet he took note of their distress
    when he heard their cry;(Q)
45 for their sake he remembered his covenant(R)
    and out of his great love(S) he relented.(T)
46 He caused all who held them captive
    to show them mercy.(U)

47 Save us,(V) Lord our God,
    and gather us(W) from the nations,
that we may give thanks(X) to your holy name(Y)
    and glory in your praise.

48 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting.

Let all the people say, “Amen!”(Z)

Praise the Lord.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

34 They did not (A)destroy the peoples,
    (B)as the Lord commanded them,
35 but they (C)mixed with the nations
    and learned to do as they did.
36 They served their idols,
    which became (D)a snare to them.
37 They (E)sacrificed their sons
    and their daughters to (F)the demons;
38 they poured out innocent blood,
    the blood of their sons and daughters,
whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan,
    and the land was (G)polluted with blood.
39 Thus they (H)became unclean by their acts,
    and (I)played the whore in their deeds.

40 Then (J)the anger of the Lord was kindled against (K)his people,
    and he abhorred his (L)heritage;
41 he (M)gave them into the hand of the nations,
    so that those who hated them ruled over them.
42 Their enemies (N)oppressed them,
    and they were brought into subjection under their power.
43 (O)Many times he delivered them,
    but they were rebellious in their (P)purposes
    and were (Q)brought low through their iniquity.

44 Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress,
    when he (R)heard their cry.
45 For their sake he (S)remembered his covenant,
    and (T)relented according to (U)the abundance of his steadfast love.
46 He caused them to be (V)pitied
    by all those who held them captive.

47 (W)Save us, O Lord our God,
    and (X)gather us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
    and glory in your praise.

48 (Y)Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting!
(Z)And let all the people say, “Amen!”
    (AA)Praise the Lord!

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The psalmist continues to confess the historical sins of God’s people. They mingled with godless people, worshiping their idols, even sacrificing their children to false gods. In many ways, God’s people defiled themselves.

In the LORD’s anger, he gave them over to their enemies. Many times, God delivered them, but they rebelled and wasted away in their sin. Still, the LORD took note and heard their cry, and he responded according to his great, covenantal love. He caused their captors to show them mercy.

The psalm ends in an earnest, beautiful prayer: “Save us, LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.” Then he praises the LORD God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Amen! Praise the LORD!

Prayer: Save us, LORD our God, from our many sins and rebellion, both individually and as a community and nation. According to your great love and your covenant with us in Jesus’ blood, wash away our sins and renew us by your Spirit to love, worship, and obey you.

One Word: Save us, LORD, from our many sins.