Psalm 106:8

8 But he saved them for the honor of his name. He did it to make his mighty power known.

Psalm 106:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 106:8

Nevertheless, he saved them for his name's sake
Not for any worth or worthiness in them; not for their righteousness sake, for they were a rebellious and disobedient people; but for his name's sake, because his name was called upon them, and he was called the God of the Hebrews, as Aben Ezra observes; and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, their ancestors; to whom he had promised the land of Canaan, and was their covenant God; and because of his covenant, and of his divine perfections, and the glory of them, which were engaged to make it good; therefore he saved them, see ( Ezekiel 20:9 Ezekiel 20:14 ) . And so the spiritual Israel of God are saved, not for any superior excellencies in them, for they are in no wise better than others; nor for their righteousness sake; but to display the wisdom and faithfulness of God, his grace and mercy, his justice and holiness, power, goodness, and truth. And so here it follows;

that he might make his mighty power to be known;
not only among the Israelites, but among the nations of the world; who, had he not saved them, might have thought, and said, that it was for want of power, and that he could not do it; see ( Deuteronomy 9:28 ) .

Psalm 106:8 In-Context

6 We have sinned, just as our people of long ago did. We too have done what is evil and wrong.

7 When our people were in Egypt, they forgot about the LORD's miracles. They didn't remember his many kind acts. At the Red Sea they refused to obey him.

8 But he saved them for the honor of his name. He did it to make his mighty power known.

9 He ordered the Red Sea to dry up, and it did. He led his people through it as if it were a desert.

10 He saved them from the power of their enemies. He set them free from their control.