Psalms 105
Read Psalms 105 (WEB)+
1Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name! Make his doings known among the peoples. 2Sing to him, sing praises to him! Tell of all his marvelous works. 3Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. 4Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more. 5Remember his marvelous works that he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, 6you offspring of Abraham, his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones. 7He is Yahweh, our God. His judgments are in all the earth. 8He has remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations, 9the covenant which he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac, 10and confirmed the same to Jacob for a statute; to Israel for an everlasting covenant, 11saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance”; 12when they were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners in it. 13They went about from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people. 14He allowed no one to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes, 15“Don’t touch my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm!” 16He called for a famine on the land. He destroyed the food supplies. 17He sent a man before them. Joseph was sold for a slave. 18They bruised his feet with shackles. His neck was locked in irons, 19until the time that his word happened, and Yahweh’s word proved him true. 20The king sent and freed him; even the ruler of peoples, and let him go free. 21He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all of his possessions; 22to discipline his princes at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom. 23Israel also came into Egypt. Jacob lived in the land of Ham. 24He increased his people greatly, and made them stronger than their adversaries. 25He turned their heart to hate his people, to conspire against his servants. 26He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen. 27They performed miracles among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. 28He sent darkness, and made it dark. They didn’t rebel against his words. 29He turned their waters into blood, and killed their fish. 30Their land swarmed with frogs, even in the rooms of their kings. 31He spoke, and swarms of flies came, and lice in all their borders. 32He gave them hail for rain, with lightning in their land. 33He struck their vines and also their fig trees, and shattered the trees of their country. 34He spoke, and the locusts came, and the grasshoppers, without number, 35ate up every plant in their land; and ate up the fruit of their ground. 36He struck also all the firstborn in their land, the first fruits of all their manhood. 37He brought them out with silver and gold. There was not one feeble person among his tribes. 38Egypt was glad when they departed, for the fear of them had fallen on them. 39He spread a cloud for a covering, fire to give light in the night. 40They asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of the sky. 41He opened the rock, and waters gushed out. They ran as a river in the dry places. 42For he remembered his holy word, and Abraham, his servant. 43He brought his people out with joy, his chosen with singing. 44He gave them the lands of the nations. They took the labor of the peoples in possession, 45that they might keep his statutes, and observe his laws. Praise Yah!
World English Bible (public domain)
“Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,”
Psalms 105:5
Summary
Psalm 105 is a hymn of thanksgiving, calling on the people of Israel to remember and give thanks for God's wondrous deeds and faithfulness throughout history. The chapter begins with an exhortation to praise the Lord and seek His presence continually. It recounts the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, emphasizing God's unwavering promise to give them the land of Canaan. The psalmist highlights the miraculous deeds and protections God provided for His people, including the sending of Joseph to Egypt as part of His plan, the liberation of Israel from slavery, and leading them through the desert with signs and wonders. Theological significance lies in the emphasis on God's sovereignty and faithfulness throughout generations, urging the Israelites to trust in His divine plan and respond with gratitude and obedience.
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Chapter outline
How Psalms 105 unfolds
Psalm 105:1–5 Call to Thanksgiving and Praise
The psalm opens with an exhortation to give thanks to Yahweh, calling on His name and proclaiming His marvelous works to all people.
Psalm 105:6–11 Covenant with the Patriarchs
The text emphasizes God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, highlighting His longstanding promise to give the land of Canaan to their descendants.
Psalm 105:12–15 God's Protection of His People
Despite being few and foreign, God protects His chosen people, warning kings not to harm His anointed ones.
Psalm 105:16–24 Joseph and Israel's Sojourn in Egypt
God orchestrates Joseph's journey to Egypt, setting the stage for Israel's eventual growth and strength amidst adversity.
Psalm 105:25–36 Plagues and Miracles in Egypt
The psalm recounts the miracles performed by God through Moses and Aaron, emphasizing His power in executing judgments against Egypt.
Psalm 105:37–43 The Exodus and God's Provision
Israel's liberation from Egypt is celebrated, highlighting God's provision of wealth, joy, and sustenance during their journey.
Psalm 105:44–45 Possession of the Promised Land
The psalm concludes with Israel receiving the lands of the nations, tasked with keeping God's statutes and laws.
Key verses
Psalms 105:5The key verse emphasizes the importance of remembering God's wondrous works, serving as a foundation for the psalm's themes of thanksgiving and covenant.
Main themes in Psalms 105
God's faithfulness
God's faithfulness is emphasized in verse 8, where the eternal nature of His covenant is established. The psalm progresses by recounting significant historical events that reveal God's steadfast commitment to His promises, illustrating His reliability over time. This theme serves as a powerful reminder for Israel, reinforcing the idea that God remains faithful to His people across generations, despite their circumstances.
Covenant and promise
The theme of covenant and promise is central in verses 9-11, where the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is highlighted, showcasing God's promise of land. The psalm explores how God's unwavering faithfulness to this covenant shapes not only the identity of His people but also their destiny throughout history. This narrative emphasizes the enduring significance of divine promises, illustrating their foundational role in Israel's relationship with God.
Divine guidance and protection
Divine guidance and protection are prominently featured in verses 14-15, where God actively safeguards His chosen ones from harm. As the psalm unfolds, it illustrates how God leads Israel through various trials and sustains them in the face of opposition, demonstrating His protective nature. This theme underscores the assurance of God's support, affirming that His guidance is essential in fulfilling His divine purposes for His people.
Remembrance and thanksgiving
The call to remember God's marvelous works begins in verse 5, urging Israel to reflect on His past deeds and interventions. The psalm recounts significant moments in history, serving as a powerful reminder that fosters gratitude and recognition of God's continuous actions in their lives. This theme encourages a consistent response of praise and acknowledgment, reinforcing the importance of remembering God's faithfulness and blessings.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalms 105
- Psalm 78Psalm 78 echoes the themes of remembrance and recounts Israel's history, similar to the narrative in Psalm 105.
- Hebrews 11Hebrews 11 connects by highlighting faith in God's promises, particularly regarding the covenant with Abraham.
- Acts 7Acts 7 develops the story of Joseph and Moses, linking to the events described in Psalm 105.
- Psalm 106Psalm 106 echoes the recounting of Israel's history and their responses to God's faithfulness.
- Luke 11Luke 11 connects through themes of remembrance and God's ongoing call to recognize His works.
- Genesis 41Genesis 41 connects as it details Joseph's rise to power in Egypt, which is a key event in Psalm 105.
Study questions
Questions for studying Psalms 105
- What are the specific marvelous works mentioned in this psalm?
- How does Psalm 105 emphasize the importance of remembering God's covenant?
- In what ways does the psalm illustrate God's protection of His people?
- What role does Joseph play in the narrative of God's plan?
- How are the plagues described in Psalm 105 significant to the Exodus story?
- What does the psalm say about Israel's response to God's provision?
- How does the concluding verse relate to the overall themes of the psalm?
Psalms 105: frequently asked questions
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