‏ Psalms 105

An Invitation to Praise

This section invites all people to praise God with enthusiasm and joy. The psalmist encourages us to remember all that God has done and to respond with thankful hearts. We are reminded that praising God should be part of our daily lives, and that seeking him brings true happiness and strength.

v. 1: We are called to many duties that help us give glory to God. We should give thanks to him because he is our generous provider. We should call upon his name to show that we trust him for both past and future blessings. We should make known his deeds so others can join us in praising him .

v. 2: We are told to talk of all his wondrous works and sing psalms to his honour . Speaking and singing about what God has done should be a regular part of our conversations, both at home and with friends (Deuteronomy 6:7 ^a). This encourages others to have faith and hope in God.

v. 3: We should glory in his holy name and let our hearts rejoice when we seek him . We are not to boast about ourselves, but about our relationship with God (Jeremiah 9:23-24 ^b). If we truly seek God, we have chosen well and can be sure he will reward us.

v. 4: The psalmist urges us to seek the Lord and his strength, to look for his help and grace. We should seek his face evermore, wanting his favor not just now but for eternity . When we look to God for strength and seek his presence, we will be blessed.

v. 5: The psalmist reminds us to remember all the wonders God has done, both for us and for those before us. We should think about the marvellous works that he has done, his miracles, and the laws he has given us . These memories should make us grateful and faithful.

v. 6: We are reminded of our special relationship with God. We are the seed of Abraham his servant and the children of Jacob his chosen . Just as God loved our ancestors, he loves us and calls us to serve and honor him as they did.

v. 7: Finally, we are reminded that He is the Lord our God; his power and justice are seen everywhere . He is the ruler of all nations, and we should be proud and thankful to belong to him. Everyone should praise their God (Isaiah 8:19; Daniel 5:4 ^c).

The Divine Promise to the Patriarchs; Providences Concerning the Patriarchs.

This section teaches us to praise God by remembering what He did for His people in the past. We should look back at the beginnings of the church and thank God for His work, because we benefit from those early blessings. The psalmist finds reasons for praise in the stories from Genesis and Exodus, just as we can find even greater reasons in the stories of Jesus and the early church. Two main things are celebrated here: God’s promise to the patriarchs and His providential care for them as they waited for that promise to be fulfilled.

v. 8-11: God remembered His covenant forever—the promise He made to Abraham, confirmed to Isaac by His oath, and to Jacob as a law and an everlasting covenant (Psalms 105:8-10 ^d). He said, “Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance” (Psalms 105:11 ^e). This promise was powerful and permanent, given by God’s command and meant to last for a thousand generations. The patriarchs had a right to Canaan, not by ordinary means, but by God’s promise. Their descendants would receive it as an inheritance, just as believers today are promised eternal life through Jesus (1 John 2:25; Titus 1:2 ^f).

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v. 12-15: The patriarchs were few and strangers in the land. They moved from one nation to another and were vulnerable (Psalms 105:12-13 ^g). Yet God protected them. He did not allow anyone to harm them and even reproved kings for their sake, saying, “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm” (Psalms 105:14-15 ^h). God restrained powerful people like Pharaoh and Abimelech from hurting Abraham and his family (Genesis 12:17; 20:6 ⁱ). God’s people may be weak and few, but He watches over them closely.

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v. 16-18: God allowed a famine in the land of Canaan (Psalms 105:16 ^j). This put the patriarchs in a difficult situation, but God had prepared a way to help them—He sent Joseph to Egypt ahead of them. Joseph was sold as a servant, his feet hurt with fetters, and he was laid in irons (Psalms 105:17-18 ^k). These trials were part of God’s plan to save His people in the future.

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v. 19-20: Joseph remained in prison until God’s word was fulfilled. The tests he faced tried his faith and patience, but when the right time came, God made Pharaoh release him (Psalms 105:19-20 ^l). God’s promises always come true at the right time, even when it seems impossible.

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v. 21-22: Joseph was raised to a position of great authority in Egypt—lord of Pharaoh’s house, ruler of all his possessions, and teacher of wisdom to the king’s officials (Psalms 105:21-22 ^m). Joseph’s rise from slavery and prison to leadership was for the good of God’s people, and it also foreshadowed Jesus, who was humbled and then exalted for our salvation.

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v. 23: Eventually, Jacob (Israel) and his family came to Egypt, where Joseph was able to provide for them during the famine . This protected the family line from which the Messiah would come.

v. 24: In Egypt, God greatly increased the number of His people. They became stronger than their enemies, just as God had promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the sand of the sea (Psalms 105:24; Exodus 1:9 ⁿ). God’s promises may take time, but they are always fulfilled.

Israel's Deliverance Out of Egypt

This section tells the story of how the people of Israel became a nation, suffered in Egypt, and were rescued by God. It remembers the hardships they faced, the miracles God did to set them free, and the special care and blessings he gave them as they traveled to the land he promised. Everything God did for Israel shows his faithfulness and his power to keep his promises.

v. 25: God changed the hearts of the Egyptians, who once protected Israel, so that they began to hate and treat them badly . The Egyptians became afraid of the Israelites and used clever plans to make their lives hard, hoping to stop them from growing. God allowed this to happen to fulfill his own purposes, even though he is never the author of sin.

v. 26: To rescue Israel, God sent Moses his servant and Aaron his helper . Moses was chosen to lead and teach the people, and Aaron to be their priest. God used them so the people would respect and follow them as their leaders.

v. 27: Moses and Aaron performed God’s signs and wonders in Egypt . Each plague was not just a miracle but a message from God, showing both his power and his judgment on the Egyptians.

v. 28: God sent darkness over Egypt, one of the last plagues . The Israelites did not rebel against God’s word, but the Egyptians refused to obey, even though they suffered greatly.

v. 29: God turned the Nile and all water in Egypt into blood, killing the fish . This took away both their water to drink and their best food. It was a powerful sign against their idols.

v. 30: The land of Egypt became full of frogs, which even entered the homes of the kings and leaders . This showed God’s power over the proud rulers of Egypt.

v. 31: God sent swarms of flies and lice among the Egyptians (Psalm 105:31; Exodus 8:17, 24 ^o). Even the smallest and weakest creatures became tools in God’s hands to humble the strong.

v. 32–33: God sent hail and lightning that destroyed trees, vines, and crops throughout Egypt (Psalm 105:32,33; Exodus 9:23 ^p). The hail replaced rain and brought great damage, showing God’s control over nature.

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v. 34–35: Swarms of locusts and caterpillars ate up all the plants and food in Egypt (Psalm 105:34,35; Joel 1:4,6 ^q). God showed he can use even the smallest creatures to bring judgment.

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v. 36: The final plague was the death of the firstborn of Egypt . God struck down the eldest sons in every family, forcing the Egyptians to let Israel go. They had refused to free God’s people, so God took away their own firstborn as a judgment.

v. 37: God brought the Israelites out of Egypt with silver and gold . They left wealthy, because God made the Egyptians give them treasures as they departed. None of the Israelites were weak or sick when they left; God healed and strengthened them all.

v. 38: The Egyptians were glad when the Israelites left, because they were afraid of them and of God’s power . God made his people honored and respected, even by those who had oppressed them.

v. 39: God protected Israel in the wilderness with a cloud by day and fire by night . The cloud gave them shelter and shade, and the fire gave them light and guidance. God met all their needs on their journey.

v. 40: When the people were hungry, God gave them quails to eat and satisfied them with bread from heaven . He provided food that was both necessary and special, showing his care for them every day.

v. 41: God made water flow from a rock when they were thirsty (Psalm 105:41; 1 Corinthians 10:4 ^r). The water ran like a river in the desert, following them wherever they went. This miracle showed that God can provide in every situation (Isaiah 43:19,20 ^s).

v. 42: God did all these miracles because he remembered his holy promise to Abraham (Psalm 105:42; Deuteronomy 7:8 ^t). God is always faithful to his covenant, even when his people do not deserve it.

v. 43: God brought his people out of Egypt with joy and gladness . Their sorrow turned to celebration as they saw God’s power to save them.

v. 44: God gave Israel the lands of other nations and let them enjoy the fruit of what others had worked for . The Israelites received the blessings that God had promised, while their enemies lost everything.

v. 45: God did all this so that his people would obey his laws and keep his commandments (Psalm 105:45 ^u). God’s greatest blessing is to bring people close to him, so they can know him and live in his ways. The psalm ends with the call, Praise you the Lord!