Psalms 106:31

And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.

Psalms 106:31 (KJV)

Context

Psalms 106 is a psalm that recounts the history of the Israelites and their repeated rebellion against God, highlighting His faithfulness and mercy despite their disobedience. This particular verse refers to an incident involving Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron the high priest.

In verses 28-31, the psalmist describes how the Israelites provoked God’s anger by joining themselves to the idolatrous worship of Baal of Peor. During this time, an Israelite man brought a Midianite woman into his tent, openly defying God’s commandments. In the midst of this rebellion, Phinehas rose up in zeal for the Lord and took action.

Meaning

Phinehas, filled with righteous indignation, took a javelin and went into the tent where the Israelite man and the Midianite woman were engaged in immorality. He thrust the javelin through both of them, executing God’s judgment and stopping the plague that had broken out among the Israelites as a consequence of their sin.

The verse emphasizes that Phinehas’ act was counted unto him for righteousness. This means that Phinehas’ zealous and faithful response to the sin in the camp was regarded as an act of righteousness in God’s sight. God honored Phinehas’ obedience and commitment to upholding His holiness, even in the face of widespread rebellion.

It is important to note that this was not counted to Phinehas for his justifying righteousness before God, for no works of righteousness done by the best of men can justify them before God, much less a single action. Rather, his executing judgment was esteemed a righteous action by the Lord himself. The phrase “counted unto him for righteousness” echoes the language of Genesis 15:6, where Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.

Biblical connections

The underlying historical event is recorded in Numbers 25:6-15, which provides the specific details of Phinehas’ zealous act and God’s response. God’s response was to cause the plague to cease and to give Phinehas the covenant of an everlasting priesthood for him and his posterity. The enduring nature of this reckoning is emphasized by the phrase “unto all generations for evermore,” indicating that Phinehas’ act of zeal was permanently honored by God.

Application

As we reflect on this verse, we should examine our own lives and ask ourselves: Are we zealous for God’s honour and holiness? Do we stand up for what is right, even when it is challenging? Are we obedient and faithful to God’s commandments? Do we trust in God’s promises and believe that He rewards those who diligently seek Him? By studying Phinehas’ act of righteousness and the subsequent reward he received, we can gain insights into the importance of living a life that pleases God and the blessings that come from faithfully following Him.

Reflection

Phinehas’ example reminds us that God honors and remembers acts of faithful zeal for His holiness, and that such actions have lasting significance before Him. His zeal was not self-righteous anger but a righteous response to open rebellion against God. As believers, we are called to be zealous for God, standing up for what is right and confronting sin when necessary, while trusting in God’s promises and His reward for those who diligently seek Him.