Psalms 106:39

39 Thus they were defiled by their own works, And played the harlot by their own deeds.

Psalms 106:39 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 106:39

Thus were they defiled with their own works
Not the land only, but they themselves also; or "with their works" ^F1, with the works of the Heathen they learned, ( Psalms 106:35 ) , or rather with their own works, the works of the flesh, especially their shocking idolatries: sin is of a defiling nature; it has defiled all men, it defiles all of men, all the faculties of their souls, and all the members of their bodies; nor can anything truly and thoroughly cleanse from it but the blood of Christ: even men's works of righteousness are as filthy rags and defiling, and much more their evil works.

And went a whoring with their own inventions;
after other gods; idolatry is often in Scripture signified by whoredom; the idolatry of Israel and Judah is represented by two harlots and their lewd practices, in ( Ezekiel 23:1 ) and hence the apostate church of Rome is compared to a whore, because of her idolatry, ( Revelation 17:1 Revelation 17:2 Revelation 17:5 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 (Mhyvemb) "operibus earum", Muis; so Ainsworth.

Psalms 106:39 In-Context

37 They even sacrificed their sons And their daughters to demons,

38 And shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and daughters, Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with blood.

39 Thus they were defiled by their own works, And played the harlot by their own deeds.

40 Therefore the wrath of the Lord was kindled against His people, So that He abhorred His own inheritance.

41 And He gave them into the hand of the Gentiles, And those who hated them ruled over them.