Kidner says that parts of Psalms 96, 105 and 106, were sung by Asaph and others, at the orders of King David, when the ark first entered Jerusalem (see 1 Chronicles 16:7-36.)
Psalm 78 and the previous psalm, Psalm 105, are both songs reviewing the history of Israel. Psalm 105 reviews all the incredible things God did for Israel in that time. This psalm reviews all the stubborness and rebellion of the Israelites during that time! Kidner labels Psalm 105, "Not One Thing Has Failed" and Psalm 106, Not One Lesson Was Learnt."
Psalm 106:1-5, Proclaim the mighty acts!
Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD
or fully declare his praise?
Blessed are they who maintain justice,
who constantly do what is right.
Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people,
come to my aid when you save them,
that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may share in the joy of your nation
and join your inheritance in giving praise.
The psalm opens with the same theme as the previous one, praising the acts of YHWH.
Psalm 106:6, But...
We have sinned, even as our fathers did;
we have done wrong and acted wickedly.
This will be the theme of this psalm. After first praising God, the psalmist turns to remember the many ways that Israel has failed. The psalmist sees no separation between his ancestors and the people of his day; all, including the psalmist, are rebellious and eager to do wrong.
Psalm 106:7-12, Rebellion at the Red Sea
When our fathers were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles;
they did not remember your many kindnesses,
and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.
Yet he saved them for his name's sake,
to make his mighty power known.
He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up;
he led them through the depths as through a desert.
He saved them from the hand of the foe;
from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them.
The waters covered their adversaries;
not one of them survived.
Then they believed his promises
and sang his praise.
Despite the miracles in Pharaoh's court, the Israelites panicked when the Egyptians came after them and rebelled against Moses. (See Exodus 14:10-12.)
Repeatedly, throughout the Exodus journey, YHWH's actions demonstrate His power over Pharaoh, actions done "for His name's sake." Indeed, the Third Commandment of the Ten (Exodus 20:7) stresses the importance of His name.
Psalm 106:13-15, Testing them in the desert
But they soon forgot what he had done
and did not wait for his counsel.
In the desert they gave in to their craving;
in the wasteland they put God to the test.
So he gave them what they asked for,
but sent a wasting disease upon them.
In Numbers 11:31-34, the complainers were struck down with a plague even as they gorged themselves on quail. The "craving" is described in Numbers 11:18-20.
Psalm 106:16-18, Rebelled against Moses and Aaron
In the camp they grew envious of Moses and of Aaron,
who was consecrated to the LORD.
The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan;
it buried thec ompany of Abiram.
Fire blazed among their followers;
a flame consumed the wicked.
In Numbers 16 we see Korah and 250 Israelites rebel against Moses and Aaron.
Psalm 106:19-23, Golden calf
At Horeb they made a calf
and worshiped an idol cast from metal.
They exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull,
which eats grass.
They forgot the God who saved them,
who had done great things in Egypt,
miracles in the land of Ham
and awesome deeds by the RedSea.
So he said he would destroy them--
had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him
to keep his wrath from destroying them.
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