Psalms 106:39

39 They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds they prostituted themselves.

Psalms 106:39 in Other Translations

KJV
39 Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
ESV
39 Thus they became unclean by their acts, and played the whore in their deeds.
NLT
39 They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the LORD ’s sight.
MSG
39 Their way of life stank to high heaven; they lived like whores.
CSB
39 They defiled themselves by their actions and prostituted themselves by their 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 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

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

Psalms 106:39 In-Context

37 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to false gods.
38 They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood.
39 They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds they prostituted themselves.
40 Therefore the LORD was angry with his people and abhorred his inheritance.
41 He gave them into the hands of the nations, and their foes ruled over them.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Genesis 3:17; Leviticus 18:24; Ezekiel 20:18
  • 2. Leviticus 17:7; S Numbers 15:39
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