Psalms 106:8

8 Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known.

Psalms 106:8 in Other Translations

KJV
8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
ESV
8 Yet he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make known his mighty power.
NLT
8 Even so, he saved them— to defend the honor of his name and to demonstrate his mighty power.
MSG
8 - the very place he saved them! - the place he revealed his amazing power!
CSB
8 Yet He saved them because of His name, to make His power known.

Psalms 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 ) .

Psalms 106:8 In-Context

6 We have sinned, even as our ancestors did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly.
7 When our ancestors were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.
8 Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known.
9 He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; he led them through the depths as through a desert.
10 He saved them from the hand of the foe; from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Exodus 14:30; S Psalms 80:3; Psalms 107:13; Isaiah 25:9; Joel 2:32
  • 2. S Exodus 9:16; S Psalms 23:3
  • 3. S Exodus 14:31
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.