Psalms – Chapter 106

Old Testament43 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 106 of Psalms begins: "Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." Across its 43 verses, two threads run through the text: suffering and trial and worship and praise. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2Let them say so that have been redeemed by the Lord, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy: and gathered out of the countries.

3From the rising and from the setting of the sun, from the north and from the sea.

4They wandered in a wilderness, in a place without water: they found not the way of a city for their habitation.

5They were hungry and thirsty: their soul fainted in them.

6And they cried to the Lord in their tribulation: and he delivered them out of their distresses.

7And he led them into the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

8Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him: and his wonderful works to the children of men.

9For he hath satisfied the empty soul, and hath filled the hungry soul with good things.

10Such as sat in darkness and in the shadow of death: bound in want and in iron.

11Because they had exasperated the words of God: and provoked the counsel of the most High:

12And their heart was humbled with labours: they were weakened, and there was none to help them.

13Then they cried to the Lord in their affliction: and he delivered them out of their distresses.

14And he brought them out of darkness, and the shadow of death; and broke their bonds in sunder.

15Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him, and his wonderful works to the children of men.

16Because he hath broken gates of brass, and burst iron bars.

17He took them out of the way of their iniquity: for they were brought low for their injustices.

18Their soul abhorred all manner of meat: and they drew nigh even to the gates of death.

19And they cried to the Lord in their affliction: and he delivered them out of their distresses.

20He sent his word, and healed them: and delivered them from their destructions.

21Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him: and his wonderful works to the children of men.

22And let them sacrifice the sacrifice of praise: and declare his works with joy.

23They that go down to the sea in ships, doing business in the great waters:

24These have seen the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.

25He said the word, and there arose a storm of wind: and the waves thereof were lifted up.

26They mount up to the heavens, and they go down to the depths: their soul pined away with evils.

27They were troubled, and reeled like a drunken man; and all their wisdom was swallowed up.

28And they cried to the Lord in their affliction: and he brought them out of their distresses.

29And he turned the storm into a breeze: and its waves were still.

30And they rejoiced because they were still: and he brought them to the haven which they wished for.

31Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him, and his wonderful works to the children of men.

32And let them exalt him in the church of the people: and praise him in the chair of the ancients.

33He hath turned rivers into a wilderness: and the sources of waters into dry ground:

34A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

35He hath turned a wilderness into pools of waters, and a dry land into water springs.

36And hath placed there the hungry; and they made a city for their habitation.

37And they sowed fields, and planted vineyards: and they yielded fruit of birth.

38And he blessed them, and they were multiplied exceedingly: and their cattle he suffered not to decrease.

39Then they were brought to be few: and they were afflicted through the trouble of evils and sorrow.

40Contempt was poured forth upon their princes: and he caused them to wander where there was no passing, and out of the way.

41And he helped the poor out of poverty: and made him families like a flock of sheep.

42The just shall see, and shall rejoice, and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

43Who is wise, and will keep these things; and will understand the mercies of the Lord?

Important Verses in Psalms 106

Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 106:1

Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him: and his wonderful works to the children of men.

Psalms 106:8

Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him, and his wonderful works to the children of men.

Psalms 106:15

Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him: and his wonderful works to the children of men.

Psalms 106:21

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Psalms was written with god's people at prayer in every age in view. Chapter 106 of 150 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 43 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." The chapter ends with: "Who is wise, and will keep these things; and will understand the mercies of the Lord? " The wider setting of Psalms is this: The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

This psalm is a prayer-poem that Israel sang in Temple worship and private devotion. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." The passage repeatedly touches on suffering and trial.

Catholic exegesis reads Psalms 106 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). St. Bernard of Clairvaux and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1604).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Suffering, united to Christ, becomes a path of purification and deeper trust in God.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Suffering, united to Christ, becomes a path of purification and deeper trust in God.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Psalms Chapter 106 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Psalms Chapter 106. At the moral level, repentance and the mercy of God challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 355).

As you continue through Psalms, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 106 about?

Psalms 106 contains 43 verses. It opens with "Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." and closes with "Who is wise, and will keep these things; and will understand the mercies of the Lord? ". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 106?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Deepen your understanding with these related articles