Psalms 105
FBMeyerPsalms 105:1-15
the Lord’ s Covenant with Israel Psalms 105:1-15 This psalm and the next are a pair, probably composed during the Exile in Babylon. They are evidently derived in part from the old Tabernacle service, in which is found the beginning of this psalm and the end of the next, 1 Chronicles 16:1-43. Here we have the story of Jehovah’ s faithfulness to his Covenant and of Israel’ s ingratitude. It is right to make known God’ s doings. Nothing touches men more quickly, or excites faith and hope more certainly, than to hear what others have experienced of God’ s saving health. Let us talk more often of His marvelous works. If God has forgiven you, even to ten thousand talents, confess it. If you have learned more of Christ’ s patience in His bearing with your sins and failures, tell it out. The salient points which stand out in our record of the past may be summarized under the same general headings as those of the psalmist.
God has been mindful of His Covenant, ratified by the blood of his Son. He has shown his independence of human standards in choosing us, though we are absolutely unworthy to inherit His Kingdom. How often He has interposed in our behalf even when we have deserved the worst, saying, Touch not mine anointed!
The Covenant with Abraham This Psalm is supposed to date from the Babylonian captivity, at which time the hearts of God’s people would be specially directed to that faithfulness which could not fail (Psalms 89:33), and must keep for them all that it had promised. It was natural then to recapitulate the past as an argument for a similar interposition again on their behalf.
The past wonders of God are quoted as arguments for the future (Psalms 105:1-7); a recalling of the covenant (Psalms 105:8-12); his care over the early Jewish fathers (Psalms 105:13-15); his guidance of Jacob and his family to Egypt (Psalms 105:16-23); the deliverance of Israel with great wonders and signs (Psalms 105:24-38); the marvels of the wilderness march (Psalms 105:39-42); and the introduction of Israel into Canaan (Psalms 105:43-45).
Psalms 105:2. Sing unto Him! Sing Psalms unto Him! If you cannot sing, talk.
Psalms 105:3. Glory ye (lit. Praise ye! Same word as translated Boast in, Psalms 34:2) In the midst of our deepest trouble we have reason for joy. Even the seeker has plenty to rejoice over, for he is on a road which must lead him ultimately to blessedness.
Psalms 105:8. He hath remembered his covenant A verbal allusion to Deuteronomy 7:9. Psalms 105:9. Which He made with Abraham When once you can lay hold of a promise, or the provisions of the covenant, you have a ’leverage with God which enables you to count upon the fulfilment of your petition. God cannot go back from his plighted word.
Psalms 105:12. But a few men; yea, very few And His word is entirely independent of our numbers or power.
Psalms 105:15. Touch not Mine anointed ones (R.V., see Psalms 20:6) How safe we are! (Genesis 20:6).
Psalms 105:17-22. Joseph, who was sold for a slave A summary of Joseph’s career in Egypt.
Psalms 105:18. Laid in iron Is this not equivalent to the entrance of the iron into his soul?
Psalms 105:19. His word came Until the time that the thing which Joseph had spoken was brought under the notice of Pharaoh, when his “discreet and wise” spirit–the veritable word of the Lord (Genesis 41:38-39)–approved him to the Egyptian monarch. In compliance with his request, the chief butler made mention of Joseph to Pharaoh, and he was “brought out of the prison house” (Genesis 40:14).
Psalms 105:23-27. Israel also came into Egypt The Egyptian experiences of the children of Israel.
Psalms 105:28-36. Darkness; waters turned into blood; frogs; flies; lice; hail; the smiting of the firstborn A magnificent description of the plagues; with several added, and graphic touches.
Psalms 105:39-41. Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 12:1-51; Exodus 13:1-22; Exodus 14:1-31; Exodus 15:1-27; Exodus 16:1-36; Exodus 17:1-16).
Psalms 105:42. His holy promise If He did all this because of his covenant, it is impossible that He will ever forget or forsake his own.
Psalms 105:43-45. He brought forth his people with joy All the benefits bestowed on Israel are shadows of spiritual blessings. Redeemed; enriched; restored; satisfied with heavenly bread and drinking of the spiritual rock; made to sit in heavenly places. What can we desire more? Only let us not rebel against Him.
Psalms 105:16-30
Wonders in Egypt Psalms 105:16-30 The psalmist retells the story of Joseph, as a link in the chain of providences which secured the fulfillment of the Covenant. It may be that it was also introduced to comfort Israel amid the afflictions of the Captivity. Another reading of the second clause of Psa 105:18 is, “ The iron entered his soul.” This is what pain does for us all; it puts iron into our blood. In Psalms 105:19 we learn that God’ s promise, while unfulfilled and apparently contradicted by present facts, serves as a test of a man’ s reliance upon God. It brings into clear relief his unwavering faith. Joseph was tested and not found wanting. In Psalms 105:23-27 carry us a step farther in the unfolding of God’ s purpose. The sojourn in Egypt, with its terrible hardships and the trouble that befell the tyrant, is quoted with direct reference to the action and interposition of the Almighty. The psalmist sees only one hand at work. He does not hesitate to ascribe to God even, the hatred which the Egyptians entertained toward Israel, and which, in Pharaoh’ s case, meant the hardening of his heart. Such is the inevitable effect when man’ s pride conflicts with divine tenderness and love. Let us believe that God is in all the incidents of our daily life and of human history.
The Covenant with Abraham This Psalm is supposed to date from the Babylonian captivity, at which time the hearts of God’s people would be specially directed to that faithfulness which could not fail (Psalms 89:33), and must keep for them all that it had promised. It was natural then to recapitulate the past as an argument for a similar interposition again on their behalf.
The past wonders of God are quoted as arguments for the future (Psalms 105:1-7); a recalling of the covenant (Psalms 105:8-12); his care over the early Jewish fathers (Psalms 105:13-15); his guidance of Jacob and his family to Egypt (Psalms 105:16-23); the deliverance of Israel with great wonders and signs (Psalms 105:24-38); the marvels of the wilderness march (Psalms 105:39-42); and the introduction of Israel into Canaan (Psalms 105:43-45).
Psalms 105:2. Sing unto Him! Sing Psalms unto Him! If you cannot sing, talk.
Psalms 105:3. Glory ye (lit. Praise ye! Same word as translated Boast in, Psalms 34:2) In the midst of our deepest trouble we have reason for joy. Even the seeker has plenty to rejoice over, for he is on a road which must lead him ultimately to blessedness.
Psalms 105:8. He hath remembered his covenant A verbal allusion to Deuteronomy 7:9. Psalms 105:9. Which He made with Abraham When once you can lay hold of a promise, or the provisions of the covenant, you have a ’leverage with God which enables you to count upon the fulfilment of your petition. God cannot go back from his plighted word.
Psalms 105:12. But a few men; yea, very few And His word is entirely independent of our numbers or power.
Psalms 105:15. Touch not Mine anointed ones (R.V., see Psalms 20:6) How safe we are! (Genesis 20:6).
Psalms 105:17-22. Joseph, who was sold for a slave A summary of Joseph’s career in Egypt.
Psalms 105:18. Laid in iron Is this not equivalent to the entrance of the iron into his soul?
Psalms 105:19. His word came Until the time that the thing which Joseph had spoken was brought under the notice of Pharaoh, when his “discreet and wise” spirit–the veritable word of the Lord (Genesis 41:38-39)–approved him to the Egyptian monarch. In compliance with his request, the chief butler made mention of Joseph to Pharaoh, and he was “brought out of the prison house” (Genesis 40:14).
Psalms 105:23-27. Israel also came into Egypt The Egyptian experiences of the children of Israel.
Psalms 105:28-36. Darkness; waters turned into blood; frogs; flies; lice; hail; the smiting of the firstborn A magnificent description of the plagues; with several added, and graphic touches.
Psalms 105:39-41. Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 12:1-51; Exodus 13:1-22; Exodus 14:1-31; Exodus 15:1-27; Exodus 16:1-36; Exodus 17:1-16).
Psalms 105:42. His holy promise If He did all this because of his covenant, it is impossible that He will ever forget or forsake his own.
Psalms 105:43-45. He brought forth his people with joy All the benefits bestowed on Israel are shadows of spiritual blessings. Redeemed; enriched; restored; satisfied with heavenly bread and drinking of the spiritual rock; made to sit in heavenly places. What can we desire more? Only let us not rebel against Him.
Psalms 105:31-45
Led by a Mighty Hand Psalms 105:31-45 Notice in this enumeration of the plagues that the emphasis in each is laid on God’ s direct act. He is the great agent of his own purposes. The tenth plague, Psalms 105:36, is followed by the triumphant exodus, when Israel went forth, enriched with treasure and strong for the march. However sad and weary our life may be, it will one day be rich and strong as it goes forth to serve under new and loftier conditions. How good it is to realize that God hath prepared for us things that surpass human thought, and which are proportioned not according to intellect but according to heart; not according to deeds but according to character! God is all-sufficient for us. He was everything that Israel needed. Can He not suffice for us? We have good hope, not because of our deserts, but because of the covenant into which He has entered with our Savior, who is our Representative and Federal Head. Not for our sakes, but for His holy Name’ s sake, God has pledged Himself to make us His heirs, joint-heirs with His Son, and sharers in all that joy and bliss which await us on the other side. Ought we not, then, to love Him and to keep His statutes and laws? Hallelujah!
The Covenant with Abraham This Psalm is supposed to date from the Babylonian captivity, at which time the hearts of God’s people would be specially directed to that faithfulness which could not fail (Psalms 89:33), and must keep for them all that it had promised. It was natural then to recapitulate the past as an argument for a similar interposition again on their behalf.
The past wonders of God are quoted as arguments for the future (Psalms 105:1-7); a recalling of the covenant (Psalms 105:8-12); his care over the early Jewish fathers (Psalms 105:13-15); his guidance of Jacob and his family to Egypt (Psalms 105:16-23); the deliverance of Israel with great wonders and signs (Psalms 105:24-38); the marvels of the wilderness march (Psalms 105:39-42); and the introduction of Israel into Canaan (Psalms 105:43-45).
Psalms 105:2. Sing unto Him! Sing Psalms unto Him! If you cannot sing, talk.
Psalms 105:3. Glory ye (lit. Praise ye! Same word as translated Boast in, Psalms 34:2) In the midst of our deepest trouble we have reason for joy. Even the seeker has plenty to rejoice over, for he is on a road which must lead him ultimately to blessedness.
Psalms 105:8. He hath remembered his covenant A verbal allusion to Deuteronomy 7:9. Psalms 105:9. Which He made with Abraham When once you can lay hold of a promise, or the provisions of the covenant, you have a ’leverage with God which enables you to count upon the fulfilment of your petition. God cannot go back from his plighted word.
Psalms 105:12. But a few men; yea, very few And His word is entirely independent of our numbers or power.
Psalms 105:15. Touch not Mine anointed ones (R.V., see Psalms 20:6) How safe we are! (Genesis 20:6).
Psalms 105:17-22. Joseph, who was sold for a slave A summary of Joseph’s career in Egypt.
Psalms 105:18. Laid in iron Is this not equivalent to the entrance of the iron into his soul?
Psalms 105:19. His word came Until the time that the thing which Joseph had spoken was brought under the notice of Pharaoh, when his “discreet and wise” spirit–the veritable word of the Lord (Genesis 41:38-39)–approved him to the Egyptian monarch. In compliance with his request, the chief butler made mention of Joseph to Pharaoh, and he was “brought out of the prison house” (Genesis 40:14).
Psalms 105:23-27. Israel also came into Egypt The Egyptian experiences of the children of Israel.
Psalms 105:28-36. Darkness; waters turned into blood; frogs; flies; lice; hail; the smiting of the firstborn A magnificent description of the plagues; with several added, and graphic touches.
Psalms 105:39-41. Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 12:1-51; Exodus 13:1-22; Exodus 14:1-31; Exodus 15:1-27; Exodus 16:1-36; Exodus 17:1-16).
Psalms 105:42. His holy promise If He did all this because of his covenant, it is impossible that He will ever forget or forsake his own.
Psalms 105:43-45. He brought forth his people with joy All the benefits bestowed on Israel are shadows of spiritual blessings. Redeemed; enriched; restored; satisfied with heavenly bread and drinking of the spiritual rock; made to sit in heavenly places. What can we desire more? Only let us not rebel against Him.