God’s righteous anger underscores His holiness and desire for His people to reflect His character.
Psalm 106 recounts Israel’s repeated rebellions and God’s enduring mercy. In the midst of this psalm comes the sobering declaration, “Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against His people And He abhorred His inheritance.” (v.40) The psalmist shows that even though God had chosen Israel to be His own, their continual disobedience kindled His righteous anger, causing Him to reject the very people He once delighted in. This “inheritance” refers both to the land promised by God and to the people themselves, reminding us that the covenant relationship between the LORD and Israel was meant to bring blessing so long as they walked faithfully in His ways.
In the broader context of the Old Testament, God’s inheritance for Israel included the land of Canaan, which they received under Joshua’s leadership. When the people persisted in idolatry and pagan customs, God used the same land to judge them, allowing their enemies to triumph and even leading to exile. In this sense, His abhorrence of His inheritance showed itself as a withdrawal of protection and favor, fulfilling the warning that the land would ultimately “spew out” its inhabitants if they turned from God. Yet, woven throughout Psalm 106 is the conviction that God’s anger, though just, does not nullify His desire to forgive those who repent, ensuring that His ultimate plan of redemption remains in view.
Even in this verse of stern warning, hope resonates. The God who grew angry with His people is also the One who consistently hears their cries and restores them when they turn back. The theme of Psalm 106 is not merely judgment; it is the steadfast love of God, who stands ready to embrace any who forsake wickedness and return to Him.
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Psalms 106:40 meaning
Psalm 106 recounts Israel’s repeated rebellions and God’s enduring mercy. In the midst of this psalm comes the sobering declaration, “Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against His people And He abhorred His inheritance.” (v.40) The psalmist shows that even though God had chosen Israel to be His own, their continual disobedience kindled His righteous anger, causing Him to reject the very people He once delighted in. This “inheritance” refers both to the land promised by God and to the people themselves, reminding us that the covenant relationship between the LORD and Israel was meant to bring blessing so long as they walked faithfully in His ways.
In the broader context of the Old Testament, God’s inheritance for Israel included the land of Canaan, which they received under Joshua’s leadership. When the people persisted in idolatry and pagan customs, God used the same land to judge them, allowing their enemies to triumph and even leading to exile. In this sense, His abhorrence of His inheritance showed itself as a withdrawal of protection and favor, fulfilling the warning that the land would ultimately “spew out” its inhabitants if they turned from God. Yet, woven throughout Psalm 106 is the conviction that God’s anger, though just, does not nullify His desire to forgive those who repent, ensuring that His ultimate plan of redemption remains in view.
Even in this verse of stern warning, hope resonates. The God who grew angry with His people is also the One who consistently hears their cries and restores them when they turn back. The theme of Psalm 106 is not merely judgment; it is the steadfast love of God, who stands ready to embrace any who forsake wickedness and return to Him.