Introduction
Psalm 106:1–23: Today’s reading is a communal confession of Israel’s sins and a plea for God’s mercy. It could be considered a continuation of Psalm 105 (the readings from November 16 and 17) since it recalls the Israelites’ actions during their wilderness journey under Moses’s leadership after leaving Egypt.
Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 106:1 GNT
Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, because he is good; his love is eternal.
Read
106 Praise the Lord!
Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good;
his love is eternal.
2 Who can tell all the great things he has done?
Who can praise him enough?
3 Happy are those who obey his commands,
who always do what is right.
4 Remember me, Lord, when you help your people;
include me when you save them.
5 Let me see the prosperity of your people
and share in the happiness of your nation,
in the glad pride of those who belong to you.
6 We have sinned as our ancestors did;
we have been wicked and evil.
7 Our ancestors in Egypt did not understand God’s wonderful acts;
they forgot the many times he showed them his love,
and they rebelled against the Almighty[a] at the Red Sea.
8 But he saved them, as he had promised,
in order to show his great power.
9 He gave a command to the Red Sea,
and it dried up;
he led his people across on dry land.
10 He saved them from those who hated them;
he rescued them from their enemies.
11 But the water drowned their enemies;
not one of them was left.
12 Then his people believed his promises
and sang praises to him.
13 But they quickly forgot what he had done
and acted without waiting for his advice.
14 They were filled with craving in the desert
and put God to the test;
15 so he gave them what they asked for,
but also sent a terrible disease among them.
16 There in the desert they were jealous of Moses
and of Aaron, the Lord’s holy servant.
17 Then the earth opened up and swallowed Dathan
and buried Abiram and his family;
18 fire came down on their followers
and burned up those wicked people.
19 They made a gold bull-calf at Sinai
and worshiped that idol;
20 they exchanged the glory of God
for the image of an animal that eats grass.
21 They forgot the God who had saved them
by his mighty acts in Egypt.
22 What wonderful things he did there!
What amazing things at the Red Sea!
23 When God said that he would destroy his people,
his chosen servant, Moses, stood up against God
and kept his anger from destroying them.
Reflect
What sins are described in today’s reading? In what ways did God show his goodness? How has God been good to you? Consider ways to express your thankfulness to the Lord today.
Pray
Eternal is your love, O Lord! Teach me to obey your commands so that I always do what is right. I praise you for all the wonderful things you have done and continue to do in my life. Thank you for your never-ending goodness and mercy. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Psalm 106:24–48: The people turn away from God.
