Psalm 106:2 - Give Thanks to the LORD, for He is Good

Audio Bible

Context

Give Thanks to the LORD, for He is Good
1Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever. 2Who can describe the mighty acts of the LORD or fully proclaim His praise? 3Blessed are those who uphold justice, who practice righteousness at all times.…

Cross References

Psalm 145:3
Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable.Psalm 40:5
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us—none can compare to You—if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.Psalm 71:15
My mouth will declare Your righteousness and Your salvation all day long, though I cannot know their full measure.Psalm 139:17-18
How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum! / If I were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; and when I awake, I am still with You.Job 5:9
the One who does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number.Job 9:10
He does great things beyond searching out, and wonders without number.Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.Romans 11:33
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!Ephesians 3:18-19
will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth / of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.1 Chronicles 16:12
Remember the wonders He has done, His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced,Nehemiah 9:5
Then the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said, “Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting: Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.Deuteronomy 3:24
“O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your greatness and power to Your servant. For what god in heaven or on earth can perform such works and mighty acts as Yours?Psalm 92:5
How great are Your works, O LORD, how deep are Your thoughts!Psalm 136:4
He alone does great wonders. His loving devotion endures forever.

Psalm 40:5
Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Psalm 139:17,18
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! …

Psalm 145:3-12
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable…

all his praise

Nehemiah 9:5
Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

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Psalm 106

Who can describe the mighty acts of the LORD
This phrase emphasizes the incomprehensibility and vastness of God's deeds. Throughout the Bible, God's mighty acts are displayed in creation (Genesis 1), the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 14), and the miracles performed by Jesus (John 2:11). The rhetorical question suggests that no human can fully articulate the extent of God's power and works. The acts of God are often beyond human understanding, as seen in Job 38-41, where God questions Job about the mysteries of creation. This phrase invites believers to reflect on the grandeur of God's actions throughout history and in their personal lives.

or fully proclaim His praise?
This part of the verse highlights the challenge of adequately expressing the glory and worthiness of God. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, praise was often expressed through psalms, hymns, and sacrifices (Psalm 150). The idea of "fully proclaiming" suggests that human language and expression are insufficient to capture the full essence of God's majesty. This is echoed in the New Testament, where Paul speaks of the "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8). The phrase also points to the eternal nature of worship, as seen in Revelation 4:8, where heavenly beings continually praise God. It underscores the call for believers to live lives of worship, acknowledging that while complete expression is impossible, continual praise is a fitting response to God's greatness.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The central figure in this verse, representing the God of Israel, known for His mighty acts and deserving of praise.

2. Israel
The nation often referenced in the Psalms, experiencing God's mighty acts throughout their history, such as the Exodus and the conquest of Canaan.

3. Psalmist
The author of Psalm 106, traditionally attributed to David, who reflects on the history and deeds of God.

4. Mighty Acts
Refers to the miraculous and powerful deeds performed by God, such as creation, deliverance, and judgment.

5. Praise
The act of worship and adoration directed towards God, acknowledging His greatness and deeds.

Teaching Points

The Incomprehensibility of God
God's acts are so mighty and numerous that they cannot be fully described by human language or understanding.

The Call to Praise
Despite our inability to fully comprehend God, we are called to continually proclaim His praise and acknowledge His greatness.

Reflecting on God's Deeds
Believers are encouraged to meditate on the historical and personal acts of God in their lives, fostering a deeper appreciation and worship.

The Role of Testimony
Sharing testimonies of God's mighty acts in our lives can inspire faith and encourage others in their walk with God.

Living a Life of Worship
Our lives should be a continuous act of worship, reflecting God's glory and proclaiming His deeds through our actions and words.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 106How can I engage in a guided Christian prayer?What does it mean to praise God?How does Psalm 134's call to 'bless the Lord' fit with passages like Genesis 12:2, where only God imparts blessing?Psalm 63:2 speaks of seeing God's power in the sanctuary--how could David witness this if he was exiled from the sanctuary?

(2) Praise.--Tehillah, a term that has become technical for a liturgic hymn. (Tehillim is the general Hebrew word for the psalter. See Gen. Introduction.) The psalmist asks in this verse who is worthy or privileged to sing a tehillah, and replies himself that loyalty to the covenant confers this privilege.

Verse 2. - Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? (comp. Psalm 50:2; and for the impossibility of expressing God's greatness, see Job 11:7-9; Psalm 92:5; Isaiah 40:12-17; Romans 11:33-36). Who can show forth all his praise? i.e. "all the praise really due to him." Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Who
מִ֗י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

can describe
יְ֭מַלֵּל (yə·mal·lêl)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4448: To speak, utter, say

the mighty acts
גְּבוּר֣וֹת (gə·ḇū·rō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1369: Force, valor, victory

of the LORD
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

or fully proclaim
יַ֝שְׁמִ֗יעַ (yaš·mî·a‘)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

His praise?
תְּהִלָּתֽוֹ׃ (tə·hil·lā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8416: Praise, song of praise

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Psalm 106:2 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Psalm 106:2 Who can utter the mighty acts (Psalm Ps Psa.)