Psa 105:7-15 | KingComments | STEP | The psalmist points to “the LORD” as “our God” ( ). The LORD is the God of His people. He also has control over “all the earth”, which He proves by passing His judgments on it. We see this further on in the psalm, where He passes His judgments on Egypt. These judgments are related to what Egypt has done to His people. His people are His covenant people. He is always thinking of His covenant with His people, a covenant that is “forever” ( ; ). When God thinks of His covenant, it means that He fulfills it. In that covenant He has made promises that will be fulfilled “to a thousand generations” (cf. ). Many generations may pass and great changes may take place, but never will God forget His covenant. He remembers and fulfills every promise of it to the letter. It is the covenant “which He made with Abraham” ( ; ). It is a covenant with Abraham personally, and in him with his posterity. He confirmed that covenant to Isaac with an oath ( ). Therefore, its fulfillment is not dependent on man. He also confirmed His covenant “to Jacob for a statute” and “to Israel as an everlasting covenant” ( ; ). What God has established is fixed like a rock and cannot be undone by any man, including Jacob in his unfaithfulness. Jacob was made Israel or ‘prince of God’ by God. God’s covenant with Jacob is for Jacob a confirmed statute and for Israel an everlasting covenant. No human being is able to change that. It is, in short, about God’s electing grace and unrepentant promises ( ; ), all in view of the land of Canaan as their inheritance ( ). With so many blessings and assurances, the heart cannot remain unmoved and the mouth cannot remain silent. God has spoken, which is emphasized by the word “saying”. What God says, His words, is always true and reliable ( ). God cannot lie. Therefore, we can be sure that He does what He says. He has said: “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance.” His word is His guarantee. His promise He is fulfilling. This has been proven, for He has brought His people into Canaan.

‏ Psalms 105:7-15

The Covenant of God

The psalmist points to “the LORD” as “our God” (Psa 105:7). The LORD is the God of His people. He also has control over “all the earth”, which He proves by passing His judgments on it. We see this further on in the psalm, where He passes His judgments on Egypt. These judgments are related to what Egypt has done to His people. His people are His covenant people.

He is always thinking of His covenant with His people, a covenant that is “forever” (Psa 105:8; Lk 1:72). When God thinks of His covenant, it means that He fulfills it. In that covenant He has made promises that will be fulfilled “to a thousand generations” (cf. Deu 7:9). Many generations may pass and great changes may take place, but never will God forget His covenant. He remembers and fulfills every promise of it to the letter.

It is the covenant “which He made with Abraham” (Psa 105:9; Gen 15:18-21). It is a covenant with Abraham personally, and in him with his posterity. He confirmed that covenant to Isaac with an oath (Gen 22:16 ; Gen 26:2-5 ; 23-24). Therefore, its fulfillment is not dependent on man.

He also confirmed His covenant “to Jacob for a statute” and “to Israel as an everlasting covenant” (Psa 105:10; Gen 17:7 ; Gen 28:13-15 ; Gen 35:9-13). What God has established is fixed like a rock and cannot be undone by any man, including Jacob in his unfaithfulness. Jacob was made Israel or ‘prince of God’ by God. God’s covenant with Jacob is for Jacob a confirmed statute and for Israel an everlasting covenant. No human being is able to change that.

It is, in short, about God’s electing grace and unrepentant promises (Rom 11:29; Lev 26:42-45), all in view of the land of Canaan as their inheritance (Psa 105:11). With so many blessings and assurances, the heart cannot remain unmoved and the mouth cannot remain silent.

God has spoken, which is emphasized by the word “saying”. What God says, His words, is always true and reliable (Heb 6:13-18). God cannot lie. Therefore, we can be sure that He does what He says. He has said: “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance.” His word is His guarantee. His promise He is fulfilling. This has been proven, for He has brought His people into Canaan.

The Protection of the LORD

From their earliest existence, “when they were only a few men in number”, God has cared for them (Psa 105:12). That they were truly with a few is underscored by the addition “very few”. They were easy prey for malicious men and predatory gangs. Added to that, they were “strangers”, people without any right to stay and protection (cf. Heb 11:9). But God protected them.

Thus they wandered “from nation to nation” and “from [one] kingdom to another people” (Psa 105:13). Abraham left Ur of the Chaldeans (Gen 11:31). He entered Canaan (Gen 12:4-6), he went to Egypt (Gen 12:10-20), and he lived as a stranger in Philistine Gerar (Gen 20:1).

But God was with them. He stood up for them and “permitted no man to oppress them” (Psa 105:14). He even “reproved” kings for their sakes. No ordinary, mortal man and no ruler have been able to lift a finger against God’s chosen people without Him reproving them.

This is what Pharaoh of Egypt and Abimelech of the Philistines experienced (Gen 12:17-20 ; Gen 20:1-18 ; Gen 26:6-11). God said to them in clear and threatening language: “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm” (Psa 105:15). In this way He has protected them. He has seen to it that no harm has been done to those to whom He has made His promises.

God’s anointed are those whom He has chosen for Himself, whom He has set apart to serve Him. They belonged to God as sanctified by Him. Abraham is called a prophet (Gen 20:7). Isaac and Jacob can also be called prophets. Isaac prophesied about Jacob (Gen 27:28-29) and Jacob prophesied about his sons (Gen 49:1).

Psa 105:12-15 describe the people’s past, how weak and vulnerable they were. It shows how we too can feel in the world. Then the people are reminded how in those circumstances, when they seemed to be prey to hostile powers, God stood up for them.