Psalm 106:39
 Psalm 106:39 
New International Version (©2011)
They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds they prostituted themselves.

New Living Translation (©2007)
They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the LORD's sight.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Thus they became unclean by their acts, and played the whore in their deeds.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Thus they became unclean in their practices, And played the harlot in their deeds.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
They defiled themselves by their actions and prostituted themselves by their deeds.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Therefore, they became unclean because of what they did; they have acted like whores by their evil deeds.

NET Bible (©2006)
They were defiled by their deeds, and unfaithful in their actions.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
They were defiled by their works and they committed fornication with their inventions.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
They became filthy because of what they did. They behaved like prostitutes.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Thus were they defiled with their own works, and played the harlot with their own deeds.

American King James Version
Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.

American Standard Version
Thus were they defiled with their works, And played the harlot in their doings.

Douay-Rheims Bible
and was defiled with their works: and they went aside after their own inventions.

Darby Bible Translation
And they were defiled with their works, and went a-whoring in their doings.

English Revised Version
Thus were they defiled with their works, and went a whoring in their doings.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went astray with their own inventions.

World English Bible
Thus were they defiled with their works, and prostituted themselves in their deeds.

Young's Literal Translation
And they are defiled with their works, And commit whoredom in their habitual doings.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

106:34-48 The conduct of the Israelites in Canaan, and God's dealings with them, show that the way of sin is down-hill; omissions make way for commissions: when they neglected to destroy the heathen, they learned their works. One sin led to many more, and brought the judgments of God on them. Their sin was, in part, their own punishment. Sinners often see themselves ruined by those who led them into evil. Satan, who is a tempter, will be a tormentor. At length, God showed pity to his people for his covenant's sake. The unchangeableness of God's merciful nature and love to his people, makes him change the course of justice into mercy; and no other change is meant by God's repentance. Our case is awful when the outward church is considered. When nations professing Christianity, are so guilty as we are, no wonder if the Lord brings them low for their sins. Unless there is general and deep repentance, there can be no prospect but of increasing calamities. The psalm concludes with prayer for completing the deliverance of God's people, and praise for the beginning and progress of it. May all the people of the earth, ere long, add their Amen.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 39. - Thus were they defiled with their own works. The heathen "works," which they adopted from them (ver. 35), had become "their own works," and made them a "defiled" and "polluted" people. And went a-whoring with their own inventions; i.e. "became spiritually adulterous," deserted God, and were unfaithful to him (comp. Ezekiel 23:2-21; Hosea 2:2-5).


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Thus were they defiled with their own works,.... Not the land only, but they themselves also; or "with their works" (a), with the works of the Heathen they learned, Psalm 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.

(a) "operibus earum", Muis; so Ainsworth.


Psalm 106:39 Parallel Commentaries

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Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is Good
38And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. 39Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. 40Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, so that he abhorred his own inheritance. …

Leviticus 17:7 They must no longer offer any of their sacrifices to the goat idols to whom they prostitute themselves. This is to be a lasting ordinance for them and for the generations to come.'
Leviticus 18:24 "'Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled.
Numbers 15:39 You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.
Judges 2:17 Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their ancestors, who had been obedient to the LORD's commands.
Psalm 73:27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
Ezekiel 20:18 I said to their children in the wilderness, "Do not follow the statutes of your parents or keep their laws or defile yourselves with their idols.
Hosea 4:12 My people consult a wooden idol, and a diviner's rod speaks to them. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God.