Psalms 106:24-48

Then they refused to go into the beautiful land of Canaan; they did not believe what God promised. They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the LORD. So he swore to them that they would die in the desert. He said their children would be killed by other nations and that they would be scattered among other countries. They joined in worshiping Baal at Peor and ate meat that had been sacrificed to lifeless statues. They made the LORD angry by what they did, so many people became sick with a terrible disease. But Phinehas prayed to the LORD, and the disease stopped. Phinehas did what was right, and it will be remembered from now on. The people also made the LORD angry at Meribah, and Moses was in trouble because of them. The people turned against the Spirit of God, so Moses spoke without stopping to think. The people did not destroy the other nations as the LORD had told them to do. Instead, they mixed with the other nations and learned their customs. They worshiped other nations’ idols and were trapped by them. They even killed their sons and daughters as sacrifices to demons. They killed innocent people, their own sons and daughters, as sacrifices to the idols of Canaan. So the land was made unholy by their blood. The people became unholy by their sins; they were unfaithful to God in what they did. So the LORD became angry with his people and hated his own children. He handed them over to other nations and let their enemies rule over them. Their enemies were cruel to them and kept them under their power. The LORD saved his people many times, but they continued to turn against him. So they became even more wicked. But God saw their misery when he heard their cry. He remembered his agreement with them, and he felt sorry for them because of his great love. He caused them to be pitied by those who held them captive. LORD our God, save us and bring us back from other nations. Then we will thank you and will gladly praise you. Praise the LORD, the God of Israel. He always was and always will be. Let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the LORD!