Psalms 106:37

Psalms 106:37

Verse 37 intensifies the gravity: “Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils.” This is an alarming, stark reminder of the extreme consequences of idol worship—the offering of children to demonic powers as acts of devotion or appeasement. This practice is set in the broader pagan context of Canaanite religion and others where child sacrifice, though abhorrent, existed in some ancient Near Eastern cultures. The psalmist uses this vivid imagery to illustrate the depth of sin and the corruption that comes from abandoning Yahweh. It serves as a counterpoint to the covenantal call to life and blessing, sharpening the sense that obedience or disobedience has tangible, dire consequences for the community’s spiritual and moral life.

Theologically, this verse confronts the most horrific expressions of idolatry and reveals the depth of human depravity when aligned with demonic influence. It underscores the gravity of sin and God’s intolerance for it within the covenant community. The passage also points to God’s justice and the need for mercy that respects the seriousness of sin while paving the way for repentance and renewal within the broader biblical narrative.

Modern readers should recognize that practices that undermine the sanctity of life—abusive power, coercive control, or dehumanizing ideologies—are modern “sacrifices” that harm the vulnerable. The exhortation is to protect the most vulnerable and oppose systems that commodify or destroy life. In practice, this means nurturing environments that value human dignity, supporting anti-trafficking work, advocating for the vulnerable, and choosing media and art that uphold life-affirming ethics. It also calls for personal repentance for any complicity in dehumanizing behavior and a commitment to advocate for justice and mercy in everyday life.

Cross-References: Leviticus 18:21, Jeremiah 19:5, 2 Kings 17:17, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Revelation 13:15