Brief History of Man

Driven to Psalm 106 this morning after my wife mentioned that she read it, we find:

A brief history of man’s sinfulness…

“Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the LORD, or can show forth His praise?...” (Psalm 106:1-2 NASB)

“We have sinned like our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have behaved wickedly. Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders…” (106:6-7)

“Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of His name, that He might make His power known…” (106:8)

“They quickly forgot His works…” (106:13)

“…they became envious…” (106:16)

“…they exchanged their glory for them image of an ox that eats grass” (106:20)

“They forgot God their Savior…” (106:21)

“…they did not believe in His word…” (106:24)

“…and ate sacrifices offered to the dead.” (106:28)

“They also provoked Him to wrath…” (106:32)

“…they mingled with the nations and learned their practices and served their idols, which became a snare for them…” (106:35-36)

“Thus they became unclean in their practices, and played the harlot in their deeds.” (106:39)

“Nevertheless He looked upon their distress when He heard their cry; and He remembered His covenant for their sake…” (106:44-45)



Fast forward to the time of Christ. Once He came, died for the sin of His people, sin left the earth and there was never a problem again, right? Not exactly. From the time of the garden to the time of Christ until the present day, all mankind has had a sin problem. We have “sinned like our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have behaved wickedly” (106:6) and we start the cycle all over again: forget His works, forget our Savior, do not believe His word…etc. Our sin is no different than the sin of generations past. Although today it may have a different face or a different method to which the temptation is delivered, sin is still sin and it still leads to death. And as sin is the same as generations ago, God’s method of salvation is the same as generations ago – once by grace, still by grace, always by grace. It was, is, and will be His sovereign pleasure to redeem a people unto Himself as He will always remember His covenant of grace.

Therefore, we pray today, as the psalmist prayed then: “Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to Your holy name and glory in Your praise. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise the LORD!” (106:47-48)

Yes, let the people say “Amen.” Praise the Lord. So let it be.