Psa 105 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 105:1-45: Ps 105 This hymn praises the Lord’s faithfulness to Abraham and his descendants in all their journeys—from Ur to Canaan (105:12 ), to Egypt (105:17 , 23 ), through the wilderness (105:37 , 41 ), and back to Canaan (105:44 ). All of this fulfilled the Lord’s promise to Abraham (105:9 , 42 ), which was the basis for Israel’s very existence. Joseph, whose suffering was changed into glory, is a paradigm of encouragement for Israel (105:16-25 ). • Psalm 105:1-15 (along with 96; 106:1 , 47-48 ) is included in David’s song of praise recorded in 1 Chr 16 . Summary for Ps 105:1-5: 105:1-5 The poet begins with the exhortation Give thanks (see also 106:1 ; 107:1 ; 118:1 ; 136:1 ). The other psalms continue with the refrain “for he is good!” The rest of Ps 105 tells of God’s goodness.

Summary for Ps 105:1-45: Ps 105 ^a This hymn praises the Lord’s faithfulness to Abraham and his descendants in all their journeys—from Ur to Canaan (105:12 ^b), to Egypt (105:17 ^c, 23 ^d), through the wilderness (105:37 ^e, 41 ^f), and back to Canaan (105:44 ^g). All of this fulfilled the Lord’s promise to Abraham (105:9 ^h, 42 ⁱ), which was the basis for Israel’s very existence. Joseph, whose suffering was changed into glory, is a paradigm of encouragement for Israel (105:16-25 ^j).

• Psalm 105:1-15 ^k (along with 96; 106:1 ^l, 47-48 ^m) is included in David’s song of praise recorded in 1 Chr 16 ⁿ.
Summary for Ps 105:1-5: 105:1-5 ^o The poet begins with the exhortation Give thanks (see also 106:1 ^p; 107:1 ^q; 118:1 ^r; 136:1 ^s). The other psalms continue with the refrain “for he is good!” The rest of Ps 105 ^t tells of God’s goodness.
Summary for Ps 105:6-11: 105:6-11 ^u The story of Israel is based on the Lord’s commitment to Abraham. Even when a question arises about the future of God’s covenant with David (Ps 89 ^v), God’s covenant with Abraham stands, as does the spiritual bond between God and Israel, Abraham’s descendants.
105:8 ^w The covenant is the Lord’s irrevocable oath to be the Father of Abraham and his descendants (see Gen 12:1-9 ^x; 15:1-21 ^y).
105:11 ^z God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants as their special possession, where they could live as God’s people (105:44-45 ^aa; Gen 12:7 ^ab; 15:7-21 ^ac).
Summary for Ps 105:12-15: 105:12-15 ^ad The Lord protected Israel’s patriarchs.
105:15 ^ae Abraham was one of the nation’s prophets (Gen 20:7 ^af).
Summary for Ps 105:16-22: 105:16-22 ^ag These verses tell the story of Joseph (see Gen 37–41 ^ah).
105:19 ^ai tested Joseph’s character: See Gen 39:6-12 ^aj.
Summary for Ps 105:23-25: 105:23-25 ^ak These verses tell the story of Israel’s affliction in Egypt (see Exod 1:1-14 ^al). 105:23 ^am Egypt (Hebrew mitsrayim) is called the land of Ham.
Summary for Ps 105:26-36: 105:26-36 ^an The psalmist recounts the story of Moses and the plagues in Egypt (Exod 7:20–12:30 ^ao).
Summary for Ps 105:37-45: 105:37-45 ^ap The Exodus and the conquest of Canaan fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (105:9-10 ^aq). Unlike Ps 78 ^ar, the poet recites the Lord’s goodness without commenting on Israel’s history of rebellion (cp. Ps 106 ^as). 105:37 ^at not one ... stumbled: The Lord protected all of his people (cp. 9:3 ^au).
105:39 ^av The Lord’s presence was as evident to all as a fire in the darkness (Exod 13:22 ^aw).
Summary for Ps 105:42-45: 105:42-45 ^ax The story of redemption is also the story of the Lord’s faithfulness.
105:44 ^ay Canaan was a land of pagan nations (see 111:6 ^az). The psalmist might also be reflecting on God’s promise to Abraham (Gen 24:60 ^ba) regarding the lands given to Isaac (Gen 26:3 ^bb).
105:45 ^bc The Lord planned for Israel to testify about him by obeying him; Israel was to be his model people.