Psalm 106 Part 6

Despite the judgment they well deserved, God ‘regarded their affliction and remembered His covenant.’ Although the people were unfaithful to him, God ‘nevertheless’ was faithful to them, which is why a psalm dealing with the sins of God’s people can end on a positive note. 
‘Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the Gentiles:’ This psalm seems to have been composed when the mercies of God to the Israelites in their captivity was just beginning to be seen. The author of the psalm rightly took those early, small mercies as the basis to boldly ask for greater mercies – that their captivity would be ended and they could return to the land. To God who is ‘from everlasting to everlasting.’(v48) This was praise that all the peoples should join in, saying “Hallelujah!” to God. This makes a fitting crown to a psalm whose theme has been God’s lovingkindness even more than man’s perversity, and a doxology to conclude Book four of the Psalter.

While the psalm is chronological from vs 7-46, there is also a chiastic structure embedded within in this historical narrative (as there are in many psalms.) that emphasis key parallel elements. These elements draw the reader/singer’s attention to the themes of praise, prayer, salvation, rebellion, and Moses. Psalm 106 focuses on Israel’s past failures and Yahweh’s generous grace, motifs that highlight the need for repentance and forgiveness in any historical context. If you are interested in the chiastic structure, google; “The Chiastic Structure of Psalm 106 LEE ROY MARTIN” 
Psalms 105 & 106 presented contrasting versions of Israel’s relationship to Yahweh. 105 spoke of God’s faithfulness, 106 of Israel’s unfaithfulness. The former of God’s favour and the latter of human failure. The Patriarchal history of 105 is followed by the History of Israel in the promised land up to the Babylonian captivity. Psalm 107 is a poem about the return of the exiles. If we include psalm 104, which spoke of creation, we would have a series of connected operas – a complete chronology covering the entire OT story. I have no doubt that Ezra had this in mind as he compiled the Book of Psalms.