Ps 106 – God\'s goodness, and Israel\'s ingratitude

Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. Blessed are those who keep justice and who do right at all times. We have sinned along with our fathers. We have committed iniquities, and done wickedly! The Lord released them from the powerful oppressors (Egyptians); they drowned in the sea, and only then did they believe in God's words. But they soon forgot God's deeds, and gave in to cravings in the desert, and tested God in the wasteland. He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul and weariness, and they envied Moses and Aaron. The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan (son of Ehias, one of the group of Korah – rebels). They made a calf of gold and worshipped before it. They exchanged the glory of God, but Moses saved them when he came from the mountain. They despised the pleasant land, and did not believe his words. Then God raised up his hand against them. He would overthrow them in the wilderness and scatter their offspring among the nations and all over the world. And they joined themselves to Baal Peor, ate the sacrifices of the dead idols, provoked God to anger with evil deeds, until a plague broke out on them. Phinehas stood up and executed judgment. God honored him as an eternal priest. In Meribah they angered God so that Moses was troubled for their sake. They did not destroy the peoples, as the Lord commanded, but mixed themselves with heathens, and learned their works, and served their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and daughters, innocent blood, which placed a blood guilt on the land. (Phinehas = grandson of Moses, who took the side of God) They became unclean and were not loyal to God. God gave them into the hand of the nations in anger. Their enemies oppressed them, and they were brought under subjection, but God rescued them many times. He had mercy and pity on them. Help us, Lord our God, gather us together out of the nations. We want to praise your name and we want to be allowed to thank you. Praise be to you, Lord, God of Israel. From the beginning to the end of times. Amen, Hallelujah!