Psalms 106:46
He caused them to be pitied by all those who held them captive.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Psalms 106:46
He caused them to be pitied by all those who held them captive.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse highlights God's sovereignty not just over His people, but over the hearts of their captors. Even enemies, who held them in bondage, were caused to show pity, demonstrating God can stir compassion in anyone, turning bitterness to mercy.
This verse concludes a long section of the psalm lamenting Israel's repeated unfaithfulness and the resulting exiles. Following the recounting of their persistent sin and God's judgment, this line offers a glimpse of hope, pointing to God's eventual mercy and deliverance, even in the midst of captivity, as seen in their eventual release and return to their land.
When life feels overwhelming and even your oppressors seem hardened against you, who truly holds the power?
This verse reveals a profound truth: God's influence extends even to the hearts of those who afflict His people. It wasn't by accident or the captors' innate kindness that the Israelites found pity. God, in His sovereignty, 'caused them to be pitied.' He can move the hearts of kings and empires, turning their will to show compassion. This is a reminder that even in the darkest of circumstances, God is at work, orchestrating events and influencing people for His purposes. He holds the hearts of all, like streams of water, and can turn them wherever He wills.
This divine intervention is clearly seen in the history of Israel's exile. Kings like Cyrus and Artaxerxes, who held them captive, were moved by God to grant them freedom and even aid in rebuilding their temple and city. This wasn't mere luck; it was God's hand at work, demonstrating His power over all earthly rulers and their decisions.
When God's people suffer, does He simply watch, or is there a deeper commitment at play?
The pity shown to the exiled Israelites wasn't just a random act of grace; it was deeply rooted in God's covenant faithfulness. He had promised mercy to His people, especially when they turned back to Him. The prayer in 1 Kings 8:50, made by Solomon, anticipates this very scenario: that God would have compassion on His people when they are in exile and bring them back.
This verse, Psalms 106:46, acts as a fulfillment of that prayer and a testament to God's enduring covenant. Even when His people faltered and faced judgment, God's mercy was not extinguished. He remembered His promises and moved the hearts of their captors to show them compassion, ultimately leading to their release and restoration.
Understand the original words
racham · Hebrew Verb
A feeling of compassion or sympathy that results in merciful action, often used to describe God’s attitude toward His people or the favor they receive from others under His sovereignty.
This psalm reflects on God's faithfulness to His people even during and after their exile, highlighting how He can turn the hearts of even their captors to show mercy, as seen in the Persian period.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, and many Israelites are exiled. This marks the beginning of large-scale, forced displacement of God's people.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Southern Kingdom of Judah falls to the Neo-Babylonian Empire, Jerusalem is destroyed, and many Judeans are taken captive to Babylon.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, led by Cyrus the Great, overthrows the Babylonian Empire, creating a new political landscape.
538 BC— this verse
Cyrus' Decree for Jewish Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the exiled Judeans to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This marks the beginning of the return from exile.
This passage records Solomon's prayer for God's people who might be taken captive, asking that their captors would show them pity, directly paralleling the idea of being pitied by those who carried them away.
Ezra 1:1-4This account shows God stirring the heart of King Cyrus of Persia to allow the exiled Israelites to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple, demonstrating God causing their captors to show them favor.
Daniel 1:9Daniel himself experiences this principle when the official in charge of him is moved by God to show him kindness and compassion, highlighting how God can influence even those in positions of power over his people.
Nehemiah 1:11Nehemiah prays for success in his mission to rebuild Jerusalem, specifically asking that God would grant him mercy in the sight of the king, illustrating the desire for God to move captors to pity.
2 Chronicles 30:9In this passage, Hezekiah speaks of returning to the Lord, and the people are told that if they do, their captors who had taken them away would have compassion on them, showing a promised cause-and-effect relationship between repentance and mercy from oppressors.
clarkePsalms 106:46: "He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives."
He made them also to be pitied - This was particularly true as to the Babylonish captivity; for Cyrus gave them their liberty; Darius favored them, and granted them several privileges; and Artaxerxes sent back Nehemiah, and helped him to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. See the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah; and see Calmet.
pulpitPsalms 106:46: "He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives."
Verse 46. - He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives. Solomon had prayed that so it might be (1 Kings 8:50). The fact that compassion was shown to many of the captives appears from 2 Kings 25:27-30; Daniel 1:3-5, 19; Daniel 2:49; Daniel 3:30; Daniel 6:28; Ezra 1:4-6; Nehemiah 1:11; Nehemiah 2:1-8.
This verse highlights God's sovereignty not just over His people, but over the hearts of their captors. Even enemies, who held them in bondage, were caused to show pity, demonstrating God can stir compassion in anyone, turning bitterness to mercy.
This verse concludes a long section of the psalm lamenting Israel's repeated unfaithfulness and the resulting exiles. Following the recounting of their persistent sin and God's judgment, this line offers a glimpse of hope, pointing to God's eventual mercy and deliverance, even in the midst of captivity, as seen in their eventual release and return to their land.
This verse concludes a long section of the psalm lamenting Israel's repeated unfaithfulness and the resulting exiles. Following the recounting of their persistent sin and God's judgment, this line offers a glimpse of hope, pointing to God's eventual mercy and deliverance, even in the midst of captivity, as seen in their eventual release and return to their land.
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c. 516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
The rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem is dedicated, a significant step in the restoration of Jewish worship and community life after the exile.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Returns to Jerusalem
Nehemiah, cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, receives permission and resources to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls, further aiding the post-exilic community.
"He caused them to be pitied by all those who held them captive." — This verse highlights God's sovereignty not just over His people, but over the hearts of their captors. Even enemies, who held them in bondage, were caused to show pity, demonstrating God can stir co…