What does Psalms 106:46 mean?

He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives. Psalms 106:46

Explanation

Psalm 106:46 states, “He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.” This verse refers to the mercy that God shows to His people despite their rebellion and sins. The Psalm as a whole is a confession of the numerous sins of the Israelites, recounting their history of disobedience, punishment, and deliverance. In this verse, the psalmist acknowledges that even when the Israelites were in captivity as a result of their disobedience to God, He did not abandon them. Instead, He caused their captors to show them pity, which is an act of compassion that stems not from the merit of the Israelites but from God’s enduring mercy and His covenant with them.

Historical Context

Psalm 106 is part of the fifth and final book of the Psalms, falling into a category of psalms known as communal laments wherein the author speaks on behalf of the community, acknowledging the communal sins of Israel. Historically, the verse might reflect one of the periods when the Israelites were taken into captivity, such as the Babylonian exile in the sixth century BC. During this time, the Israelites had been defeated and were taken from their homeland as prisoners. However, the psalmist points out that God’s mercy extended to even influencing the hearts of their captors.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints may emphasize the themes present in this verse:

• Reformed Theology might focus on the sovereignty of God, suggesting that it is God who turns the hearts of rulers and captors, and thus it is by His divine providence that the Israelites found pity.
• Catholic Theology may emphasize God’s covenantal fidelity and the role of God’s enduring mercy, regardless of the people’s unfaithfulness.
• Process Theology would see this as an example of God working within the possibilities of the world, persuading rather than coercing, to bring about a good outcome for the captives.
• Liberation Theology could focus on God’s preferential option for the oppressed and His desire for their liberation and well-being even in the midst of captivity.

Practical Applications

This verse can serve as a reminder to believe in the compassion and mercy of God even in the worst circumstances. It encourages individuals to trust in God’s ability to soften the hearts of those who may seem hard or oppressive. It also presents an opportunity for believers to consider how they might view their own “captors”—whether these are literal or metaphorical—and pray for God’s intervention. Furthermore, the verse is a call for the faithful to emulate God by showing mercy and compassion to those who are in difficult situations.

Cross-References

• Exodus 3:21 – “And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty.”
• Nehemiah 1:11 – “O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”
• Proverbs 16:7 – “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

Language Study

The original Hebrew text of this verse uses the word “pitied” (רִחַם or racham), which is associated with a deep love and compassion, often used to describe parental affection. The term for “those that carried them captives” (שוביהם or shobeyhem) implies the agents of their captivity and can be translated as those who led them into exile or captivity.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient Near Eastern cultures, captives were often treated brutally without mercy, and their gods did not typically intervene on their behalf. The idea that a god would inspire compassion upon a conquered people would be somewhat unique to the Israelites. For example, the Code of Hammurabi from Babylon treats captives and conquered as subjects to the victor’s rule without consideration of mercy from the gods.

Scientific Perspectives

While this verse does not directly intersect with specific scientific understandings, contemporary psychology recognizes the concept of empathy, mirroring some aspects of the pity mentioned. It could be discussed how empathetic behavior can be influenced by various factors, including beliefs and values, which could be seen as a modern parallel to the idea of a divine influence on human emotions and actions presented in the Psalm.

commentaries

Commentators offer several insights into Psalm 106:46:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes that the mercy of God can turn the hearts of people and that sometimes God gives his people favor in the eyes of those who hold them in bondage.
• The Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon remarks on the way God’s providence works to bring about kindness towards His people even when they find themselves under just punishment for their sins.
• The Pulpit Commentary notes the contrast between God’s readiness to punish sin and His willingness to deliver His repentant people, providing evidence of his immutable love and mercy.
• John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible discusses how this divine influence on the captors’ hearts can be likened to the favor shown to the Israelites by the Egyptians when they left Egypt, carrying valuable gifts.