Psalms 106:46

He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.

Psalms 106:46 (KJV)

Context

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm that reviews Israel’s long record of disobedience and God’s faithful mercy. The verses just before this one (Psalm 106:44-45) tell how God saw His people in distress and remembered His covenant when they cried out. Verse 46 completes that thought: God not only pitied Israel Himself, but He also caused their captors to pity them.

Meaning

The Hebrew word behind “pitied” carries the sense of deep, womb-like compassion. This shows that the captors’ mercy was not a small feeling but a profound movement of the heart. The verse teaches that God holds the hearts of all people in His hands. He can turn even hostile rulers toward kindness. This compassion did not come from Israel’s merit; it came from God’s covenant love. Even in the dire consequences of unfaithfulness, God’s mercy intervened.

Biblical connections

This divine influence over foreign powers appears elsewhere. For example, God moved Cyrus the Great to let the Jews return from exile (Ezra 1:1-2). In both cases, God’s purpose was not only relief but also that His people would give thanks and praise His holy name, as the next verses show. The psalmist prays for gathering from the nations in verse 47, and the psalm closes with praise in verse 48.

Application

When we face hard consequences of our own failures, we may feel that God has abandoned us. This verse assures us that His mercy can reach us even in captivity. He can soften the hearts of those who oppose us, and He can turn our situation around. Our part is to cry out to Him and trust His covenant faithfulness. God’s mercy is not limited by human circumstances.

Reflection

God’s ability to change hearts should inspire hope and humility. He is sovereign over every circumstance, and His steadfast love never fails. We can rest in the truth that He who pitied His people in their lowest state will also show mercy to us.