1. Though we fail, God does not (1-22)

God's people's history is a history of failure. The psalmist confesses, 'We have sinned, even as our fathers did..Yet, God saved them for his name's sake...' He led them through the Red Sea--but they quickly forgot and complained about the food. He fed them. They rebelled against his servant Moses; They forgot God and worshiped a golden calf.

2. God's great mercy to save (23-48)

God heard Moses' prayer and saved them (Ex 32). They did not have faith to claim the promised land, so God trained them in the desert for 40 years (Dt 1). They compromised with the Baal worshipers in Moab, but Phinehas intervened and they were saved (Nu 25). They were unfaithful to God in the promised land, so God sent them into exile in Babylon. But he heard their cry of distress and because of his great love, he saved them.

Application: Lord, thank you for your love and mercy to save sinners.
One Word: Praise & thank God for his saving grace