Catechesis Notes for the Week —Psalm 106:24-48—A Meditation Upon God’s Mercy in Israel’s Rebellion—The second half of Psalm 106 is a meditation upon all the many ways that the Children of Israel had rebelled against the Lord. He had been their God and faithful Savior, and yet they so often refused to hear His Word. They defiled themselves by committing spiritual adultery with the nations around them. They brought oppression upon themselves because of their wayward ways. God’s wrath was justly kindled against them because of their rebellion. Their enemies oppressed them as instruments of God’s judgment against them. “Many times He delivered them; but they rebelled against Him by their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, when He heard their cry; and for their sake He remembered His covenant, and relented according to the multitude of His mercies.” If it were not for the Lord’s faithfulness, mercy, and grace toward the children of Israel, their history would have been totally tragic and would have ended in utter despair. At no time did the Lord ever turn His back upon the remnant faithful who, with broken and contrite hearts, turned to Him. So we pray with our ancient brothers and sisters: “Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the Gentiles to give thanks to Your holy name, and to triumph in Your praise. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting!”