Psalms 106:44-45
Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry. For their sake he remembered his covenant, and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easy to miss here is the emphasis on God's active "looking" and "hearing" in response to Israel's distress. This isn't passive observation; it's a deliberate turning toward their suffering and a direct engagement with their cries. It highlights that even when His people have strayed, God remains attentive and ready to respond when they call out.
The psalmist recounts Israel's long history of disobedience and God's repeated, patient faithfulness. Despite their repeated cycles of sin, punishment, and God's gracious deliverance, the people often remained unrepentant and stubborn. This verse marks a turning point, highlighting God's compassionate response to their cries for help even in their most desperate moments, prompting Him to remember His covenant promises and show mercy.
Even in the depths of despair, when it feels like all hope is lost, there's a divine perspective at play. This verse reveals God's unwavering attention.
Psalms 106:44 speaks of God 'looking upon their distress.' This isn't a distant, indifferent observation. The original Hebrew suggests a deep, compassionate regard, like a parent watching a suffering child.
A Gaze of Empathy
God doesn't just see our problems; He feels them with us. The commentators highlight that 'he saw them in their trouble' and 'had regard to them.' This means God's attention isn't passive; it's active, engaged, and filled with empathy. It's a look that moves toward action.
We often cry out in pain, frustration, or desperation. This verse reminds us that these cries are not in vain; they reach the very heart of God.
The second part of the verse, 'when he heard their cry,' points to the profound impact our vocalized pleas have on God.
More Than Just Noise
This 'cry' isn't merely a sound; it's often understood as fervent prayer, a desperate plea born from deep affliction. Commentaries note that 'crying is prayer' and it signifies a vocal and vehement appeal. God's ears are not deaf to these earnest entreaties. He is drawn to our cries, and when He hears them, He responds.
Despite Israel's repeated failures and provocations, God's response in Psalm 106:44 is not one of final judgment, but of remembered mercy. What makes this possible?
The word 'Nevertheless' at the beginning of verse 44 is crucial. It signals that God's action is not based on Israel's merit, but on something deeper: His enduring covenantal faithfulness.
Mercy Beyond Merit
Commentators emphasize that God 'remembered his covenant' and acted 'according to the greatness of his mercies.' This means that even when His people were unfaithful and deserved punishment, God's faithfulness to His promises and His abundant mercy would not let Him abandon them. His 'repentance' is not a change of mind like ours, but a change in the He deals with His people, turning from judgment to mercy because of His unchanging nature and His covenant vows.
Understand the original words
beriyth · Hebrew Noun
The formal, binding agreement established by God with individuals or nations (such as with Abraham or Israel), characterized by God’s promises and requirements of faithfulness.
chesed · Hebrew Noun
A rich theological term (Hebrew: chesed) referring to God’s loyal, sacrificial, and faithful love; it is love that keeps its promises regardless of the unworthiness of the recipient.
This verse recalls the recurring pattern in Israel's history: despite their repeated sin and rebellion, God always heard their cries in times of distress and remembered His covenant, leading to deliverance.
c. 13th century BC
Oppression in Egypt
The Israelites are enslaved and brutally oppressed by the Egyptians. Their cries for help are heard by God.
c. 13th century BC
Exodus from Egypt
God hears the cries of the Israelites and leads them out of slavery in Egypt through Moses.
c. 1400-400 BC
Period of Judges
After entering the Promised Land, Israel repeatedly falls into sin, leading to oppression by surrounding nations. God raises up judges to deliver them when they cry out.
c. 10th century BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
Despite periods of faithfulness and God's continued mercy, Israel's history is marked by cycles of sin and subsequent distress.
c. 586 BC— this verse
This passage describes God hearing the cries of the enslaved Israelites in Egypt, mirroring how He heard the cries of the people in Psalm 106 when they were in distress.
Judges 3:9Similar to Psalm 106, when the Israelites cried out to the Lord in their oppression, God raised up a deliverer, showing His pattern of responding to cries for help.
Nehemiah 9:9This prayer recounts God seeing the affliction of Israel in Egypt and hearing their cry, directly echoing the sentiment and event described in Psalm 106:44.
2 Chronicles 32:20Here, King Hezekiah prays, and God sends an angel to destroy the Assyrian army after Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cry out, demonstrating God's attention to distress and cries.
Jeremiah 15:15The prophet Jeremiah cries out to the Lord about his adversaries, and the Lord responds by acknowledging his suffering and knowing his cause, showing God's awareness of distress and hearing of cries.
poolePsalms 106:44: "Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:"
No text from Poole on this verse.
pulpitPsalms 106:44: "Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:"
Verse 44. - Nevertheless he regarded their affliction; or, "he saw them in their trouble," i.e. he looked on them, and had regard to them (see 2 Kings 17:13; 2 Chronicles 36:15). When he heard their cry. As God "heard the cry" of his people, when they suffered oppression in Egypt (Exodus 2:23; Exodus 3:7, 9), so also in their other oppressions (Judges 3:9, 15; Judges 4:3; Judges 6:6; Judges 10:10; 1 Samuel 12:1…
What's easy to miss here is the emphasis on God's active "looking" and "hearing" in response to Israel's distress. This isn't passive observation; it's a deliberate turning toward their suffering and a direct engagement with their cries. It highlights that even when His people have strayed, God remains attentive and ready to respond when they call out.
The psalmist recounts Israel's long history of disobedience and God's repeated, patient faithfulness. Despite their repeated cycles of sin, punishment, and God's gracious deliverance, the people often remained unrepentant and stubborn. This verse marks a turning point, highlighting God's compassionate response to their cries for help even in their most desperate moments, prompting Him to remember His covenant promises and show mercy.
The psalmist recounts Israel's long history of disobedience and God's repeated, patient faithfulness. Despite their repeated cycles of sin, punishment, and God's gracious deliverance, the people often remained unrepentant and stubborn. This verse marks a turning point, highlighting God's compassionate response to their cries for help even in their most desperate moments, prompting Him to remember His covenant promises and show mercy.
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Babylonian Exile
The Kingdom of Judah falls to Babylon, and many are exiled. This period represents a low point of distress and cries for God's intervention.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
The Babylonian exile ends with the conquest by Persia, opening the door for Jewish return to Jerusalem.
"Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry. For their sake he remembered his covenant, and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love." — What's easy to miss here is the emphasis on God's active "looking" and "hearing" in response to Israel's distress. This isn't passive observation; it's a deliberate turning toward their suffering and…
