Psalm 106:39

Translations

Modern

They defiled themselves by their actions and prostituted themselves by their deeds.

Traditional

Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.

Literal

And they were defiled by their deeds and prostituted themselves by their practices.

Latin

…et contaminata est in operibus eorum: et fornicati sunt in adinventionibus suis.

Original

Hebrew

English

They defiled themselves by their actions and prostituted themselves by their deeds.

Notes

Psalms 106:39

Idolatry is like adultery. Both make God’s people unclean before the Lord (see Leviticus 18:24; Hosea 5:3).

Psalms 106:28–39

When the Israelites entered the land, they brought their idol worship with them. Their behavior stayed the same, and they angered the Lord with their actions.

Psalms 106:1–48

The Israelite community in exile confessed the Lord’s goodness and justice and their own past sins. From their humble state in exile, they asked for redemption and restoration. They hoped to be gathered back from all the places the Lord had scattered them in his anger.
The psalm ends with a memory of the Lord’s past mercy and hope for renewed mercy (Psalm 106:44–48). Israel failed, but the Lord remains constant.
Verses 1, 47–48 (along with Psalms 96; 105:1–15) are included in David’s song of praise recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:1–43.

Theme notes and profiles

David God Works through Prayer God’s Anger

Related verses

Ezekiel 20:18
In the wilderness I said to their children: ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers or keep their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols.
Leviticus 17:7
They must no longer offer their sacrifices to the goat demons to which they have prostituted themselves. This will be a permanent statute for them for the generations to come.’
Numbers 15:39
These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the commandments of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by following your own heart and your own eyes.
Isaiah 59:3
For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice.
Revelation 17:1–6
Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.
Hosea 9:1
Do not rejoice, O Israel, with exultation like the nations, for you have played the harlot against your God; you have made love for hire on every threshing floor.
Ezekiel 20:43
There you will remember your ways and all the deeds with which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evils you have done.
Isaiah 24:5–6
The earth is defiled by its people; they have transgressed the laws; they have overstepped the decrees and broken the everlasting covenant.
Ezekiel 20:30–31
Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did, prostituting yourselves with their abominations?
Ezekiel 23:3–49
…and they played in Egypt, prostituting themselves from their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin bosoms caressed.
Jeremiah 3:1–2
“If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers—and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD.
Ezekiel 16:15–63
But because of your fame, you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot. You lavished your favors on everyone who passed by, and your beauty was theirs for the asking.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) David Exodus, the Idols, Idolatry Music Psalms, Book of

Topics

Idolatry: Warnings Against, and Punishments of Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Marked by Constant Murmurings and Rebellions

Psalm 106:39

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?