John Gill Commentary Psalms 106:39

"Thus were they defiled with their works, And played the harlot in their doings." — Psalms 106:39 (ASV)

Thus were they defiled with their own works
Not the land only, but they themselves also; or "with their works" ^F1 , with the works of the Heathen they learned, (Psalms 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 17:1Revelation 17:2Revelation 17:5) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F1: (Mhyvemb) "operibus earum", Muis; so Ainsworth.