Psalms105
English Standard Version
1Oh to the Lord; upon his ; make his among the !
2 to him, to him; of his !
3 in his ; let the of those who the Lord !
4 the Lord and his ; his !
5 the he has , his , and the he ,
6O of , his , of , his !
7He is the Lord our ; his are in the .
8He his , the that he , for a ,
9the covenant he with , his to ,
10which he to as a , to as an ,
11 , To you I will the of as your for an .
12When they were in , of , and in it,
13 to , to ,
14he to them; he their account,
15saying, my , my !
16When he a the and of ,
17he had a of them, , who was as a .
18His were with ; his was in a collar of ;
19 what he had , the of the Lord him.
20The and him; the of the set him ;
21he him of his and of his ,
22to his at his and to his .
23Then to ; in the of .
24And the Lord his and made them their .
25He their to his , to with his .
26He , his , and , he had .
27They his among them and in the of .
28He , and made the land ; they did against his .
29He their into and their to .
30Their with , even in the of their .
31He , and there swarms of , and their .
32He them for , and through their .
33He their and , and the of their .
34He , and the , ,
35which the in their and the of their .
36He the in their , the of their .
37Then he Israel with and , and there was among his who .
38 was when they , of them had it.
39He a for a , and to by .
40They , and he , and gave them from in .
41He the , and ; it the like a .
42 he his , and , his .
43So he his with , his ones with .
44And he them the of the , and they took of the of the ’ toil,
45 they might his and his . the Lord!
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 105.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A solemn call to praise and serve the Lord. (1–7). His gracious dealings with Israel. (8–23). Their deliverance from Egypt, and their settlement in Canaan. (24–45).
vv1-7
Our devotion is here stirred up, that we may stir up ourselves to praise God. Seek his strength; that is, his grace; the strength of his Spirit to work in us that which is good, which we cannot do but by strength derived from him, for which he will be sought. Seek to have his favour to eternity, therefore continue seeking it while living in this world; for he will not only be found, but he will reward those that diligently seek him.
vv8-23
Let us remember the Redeemer's marvellous works, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth. Though true Christians are few number, strangers and pilgrims upon earth, yet a far better inheritance than Canaan is made sure to them by the covenant of God; and if we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit, none can do us any harm. Afflictions are among our mercies. They prove our faith and love, they humble our pride, they wean us from the world, and quicken our prayers. Bread is the staff which supports life; when that staff is broken, the body fails and sinks to the earth. The word of God is the staff of spiritual life, the food and support of the soul: the sorest judgment is a famine of hearing the word of the Lord. Such a famine was sore in all lands when Christ appeared in the flesh; whose coming, and the blessed effect of it, are shadowed forth in the history of Joseph. At the appointed time Christ was exalted as Mediator; all the treasures of grace and salvation are at his disposal, perishing sinners come to him, and are relieved by him.
vv24-45
As the believer commonly thrives best in his soul when under the cross; so the church also flourishes most in true holiness, and increases in number, while under persecution. Yet instruments shall be raised up for their deliverance, and plagues may be expected by persecutors. And see the special care God took of his people in the wilderness. All the benefits bestowed on Israel as a nation, were shadows of spiritual blessings with which we are blessed in Christ Jesus. Having redeemed us with his blood, restored our souls to holiness, and set us at liberty from Satan's bondage, he guides and guards us all the way. He satisfies our souls with the bread of heaven, and the water of life from the Rock of salvation, and will bring us safely to heaven. He redeems his servants from all iniquity, and purifies them unto himself, to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Key Words
יָדָה: physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands)
קָרָא: to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
שֵׁם: an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יָדַע: to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)
עֲלִילָה: an exploit (of God), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an opportunity
עַם: a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
שִׁיר: to sing
זָמַר: play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and music
שִׂיחַ: to ponder, i.e. (by implication) converse (with oneself, and hence, aloud) or (transitively) utter
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Psalms 105Verbatim parallel; this entire opening section of the psalm matches David's thanksgiving song in 1 Chronicles.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbatim echo of Jacob's own words describing his household as being 'few in number'.
Supported by JFB
Direct verbal link where Abimelech uses the specific phrase 'toucheth' regarding God's chosen patriarch.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The explicit legal and prophetic metaphor of breaking the 'staff of bread' to signify severe famine.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical account of the plague of thick darkness sent upon Egypt.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Equates God's 'strength' in the sanctuary with the Ark of the Covenant, as referenced here.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Zechariah celebrates God remembering His holy covenant and oath to Abraham in Christ's coming.
Supported by John Calvin
The renewal and confirmation of the land-grant covenant to Jacob at Bethel.
Supported by JFB
Historical event where God plagued Pharaoh's house to reprove him for Abraham's wife.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical account of God warning and reproving King Abimelech in a dream for Sarah's sake.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Fulfillment of Joseph's elevation from prison to become ruler of Pharaoh's house and substance.
Supported by JFB
Fulfillment of God bringing Israel out of Egypt loaded with jewels of silver and gold.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The actual historical provision of the pillar of cloud and fire to guide Israel.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The historical event of God standing on the rock at Horeb and bringing water out.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The prophetic warning to Abraham that his offspring would be few and strangers in a foreign land.
Supported by John Calvin