Psalm 106 45

Psalm 106:45 kjv

And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

Psalm 106:45 nkjv

And for their sake He remembered His covenant, And relented according to the multitude of His mercies.

Psalm 106:45 niv

for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented.

Psalm 106:45 esv

For their sake he remembered his covenant, and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

Psalm 106:45 nlt

He remembered his covenant with them
and relented because of his unfailing love.

Psalm 106 verses

Psalm 106 45 Meaning

Psalm 106:45 reveals God's profound faithfulness and mercy despite His people's continuous rebellion. It signifies that even when His people face the consequences of their sin, God remembers His covenant with them and, out of the abundance of His steadfast love, relents from complete judgment, offering compassion and a way forward. This is not because of their merit, but solely due to His character and His pledged word.

Psalm 106 45 Context

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, recounting the tumultuous history of Israel from the Exodus through the wilderness wanderings, the conquest of Canaan, the period of the Judges, and possibly touching upon the Exile. It serves as a national confession of sin, emphasizing Israel's repeated rebellion, idolatry, and ingratitude despite God's consistent deliverance and faithfulness. The psalm is a stark reminder of human failure and a testament to divine steadfast love. Verse 45 marks a crucial turning point, moving from the lament of judgment and consequence (vv. 40-44) to an articulation of hope rooted not in Israel's actions, but in God's character. After a long litany of how God justly punished Israel for their sins (which resulted in their oppression by enemies), this verse explains why God intervened for them despite their deserving judgment, thereby averting complete destruction and offering restoration. It prepares the reader for the concluding doxology of praise.

Historically and culturally, the psalm speaks to a people deeply intertwined with the concept of a covenantal relationship with their God. The audience would understand the weight of "covenant" (berit)—a solemn, binding agreement, often sealed by oaths and blessings/curses. The repeated cycle of sin and judgment reflects the brokenness of the Mosaic Covenant by Israel, yet God's consistent remembering of His foundational covenant promises (Abrahamic, Davidic) underscores His enduring faithfulness. This understanding stands in direct contrast to pagan beliefs, where deities were often capricious, demanded propitiation without guaranteed mercy, or might completely abandon their worshippers based on perceived failures; here, Yahweh's nature, rooted in khesed and covenant, guarantees a profound, often undeserved, return of compassion.

Psalm 106 45 Word analysis

• וַיִּזְכֹּר (vayyizkor) – "and He remembered": From the Hebrew root zakhar (זָכַר). In a divine context, "remembering" is far more than simply recalling a past event. It implies active engagement, intervention, and acting on behalf of the remembered party, bringing their past plight or promises made to them into the present reality. It denotes God’s initiative to act based on prior commitments. It highlights God's sovereignty and His unwavering purpose, especially in relation to His covenant.

• לָהֶם (lahem) – "for them": This simple preposition "for them" emphasizes that God's remembrance and subsequent action are specifically on behalf of His people, demonstrating His benevolence and intervention despite their unworthiness.

• בְּרִיתוֹ (berito) – "His covenant": From Hebrew berit (בְּרִית). This is a cornerstone theological concept. It signifies a solemn, binding agreement established by God with humanity (Noahic), specific individuals (Abraham, David), or an entire nation (Mosaic). In this context, it primarily refers to the enduring Abrahamic covenant of promise and blessing, which underlies even the Mosaic covenant (where blessings were conditioned on obedience). God’s "remembering His covenant" means He honors His pledged word, not just mentally but by acting according to its terms, regardless of His people's infidelity.

• וַיִּנָּחֵם (vayinnakhem) – "and relented" / "had compassion": This is the Niphal stem of the Hebrew root nakham (נָחַם). It can mean to "regret," "repent," "comfort," or "console oneself." When applied to God, as here, it signifies His deep emotional response of compassion and sorrow over the plight or impending judgment of His people, leading Him to turn from or relent from a planned course of action (e.g., judgment). This is not a change in His immutable character, but rather an anthropomorphism depicting His capacity for profound mercy and the fulfillment of His conditional threats when conditions for repentance (even superficial) are met. It signifies a divine shift from wrath to mercy based on His own righteous character, often in response to human need or distress, though not necessarily human merit.

• כְּרֹב חֲסָדָיו (kerov khasadav) – "according to the greatness of His loyal love" / "abundant lovingkindness" / "many mercies":

  • כְּרֹב (kerov) – "according to the greatness of" / "according to the abundance of": Indicates that God's actions (relenting, having compassion) are proportional to, or flow from, the immense measure of His inherent quality.
  • חֲסָדָיו (khasadav) – "His loyal love" / "His lovingkindnesses" / "His mercies": This is the plural form of khesed (חֶסֶד). Khesed is arguably the most significant term describing God's character in the Old Testament. It denotes His steadfast love, covenant faithfulness, loyal kindness, mercy, and enduring commitment. It's not mere sentiment but active, unwavering fidelity within a relationship, especially the covenantal one. The plural ("His loyal loves") emphasizes the manifold manifestations and inexhaustible nature of this divine attribute. It underscores that God's mercy is rooted in His very being and commitment, not in a reaction to humanity’s fluctuating obedience.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "and He remembered for them His covenant": This phrase highlights the dynamic and relational aspect of God's covenantal faithfulness. His remembering is an active intervention driven by His commitment to the solemn promises made to His people. It's a proactive remembrance for their benefit.
  • "and relented according to the greatness of His loyal love": This pivotal phrase connects God's "relenting" from judgment directly to His boundless nature of khesed. It's not an arbitrary or fickle change, but a demonstration of His inherent, overflowing, and steadfast love. His compassion is not based on Israel's goodness, but on the very essence of who God is: a God of abundant mercy and faithfulness. This assures that even in the face of judgment, there is always hope anchored in God's immutable benevolent character.

Psalm 106 45 Bonus section

• The theme of divine "relenting" (nakham) appears numerous times in the Bible (e.g., Ex 32:14, Jer 26:13, Joel 2:13, Jon 3:10), always illustrating God's responsiveness to humanity's turning, or simply His own compassionate character, often leading Him to mitigate or avert deserved judgment. It highlights God's "pathos," His emotional depth and capacity to feel deeply about His creation and their condition, demonstrating His active involvement in their story.
• Psalm 106:45 provides a crucial theological framework for understanding not just Old Testament history but also the ultimate redemption in the New Covenant. Just as God "remembered His covenant" despite Israel's failures, He provided salvation through Christ, the ultimate act of khesed, which guarantees a lasting forgiveness and righteousness based entirely on His grace, rather than human merit (Rom 5:8; Heb 8:8-12). The new covenant ensures that God "remembers their sins no more," effectively resolving the cycle of sin and relenting by a singular, perfect sacrifice.
• This verse can be seen as an example of God choosing mercy over justice in specific moments, not as an abandonment of justice, but as a demonstration of His complex and righteous character, where justice is satisfied ultimately in Christ, allowing mercy to abound.

Psalm 106 45 Commentary

Psalm 106:45 stands as a profound statement of divine grace in the midst of chronic human failure. After detailing generations of Israel’s rebellious sin, the psalmist reaches a climax where divine judgment seems inevitable and total. Yet, a ray of hope shines forth: God’s remembrance of His covenant. This remembering is not a mere recall, but a powerful act of covenantal faithfulness that propels God to compassionately intercede. The key lies in the phrase, "and relented according to the greatness of His loyal love (khesed)." God does not turn from His wrath because Israel deserved it, or because they finally reached a point of perfect repentance, but because His nature is inherently abundant in steadfast, covenant-keeping love. His khesed dictates His merciful response. This verse serves as a powerful theological pivot: despite Israel’s pervasive unfaithfulness, God’s enduring commitment to His promises, driven by His boundless mercy, is the ultimate anchor for their preservation and restoration. It is a promise of salvation rooted in divine character, offering a basis for hope and endurance through tribulation.