105:1–5
The poet begins with a call to give thanks (see also Psalms 106:1; 107:1; 118:1; 136:1). The other psalms continue with the refrain "for He is good!" The rest of Psalm 105 tells of God's goodness.
Study notes
Psalms 105
105:1–45
This hymn praises the Lord’s faithfulness to Abraham and his descendants in all their journeys:
from Ur to Canaan (Psalm 105:12),
to Egypt (Psalm 105:17, 23),
through the wilderness (Psalm 105:37, 41), and
back to Canaan (Psalm 105:44).
These events fulfilled the Lord's promise to Abraham (Psalm 105:9, 42), which was the basis for Israel’s very existence. Joseph, whose suffering turned into glory, serves as a model of encouragement for Israel (Psalm 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 Chronicles 16.
105:1–106:48 Section
Psalms 105 and 106 praise God for his faithful love. Psalm 105 does this by reminding the Israelites of the wonderful things God has done. Psalm 106 does this in a different way. It reminds the Jews how God was faithful even when they forgot about him.
The events mentioned in these psalms are recorded in other books of the Bible. Those in Psalm 105 are recorded in the books from Genesis through to Joshua. Those in Psalm 106 are recorded in the books from Exodus through to 2 Chronicles.
In Psalm 105, remembering God’s covenants, miracles and laws led the Israelites to praise him. Talking about what God had done was one way to teach their children about God.
Psalm 105 ends by reminding God’s people why God allowed them to live in Canaan. They were to obey him and live as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. But they didn’t do that. They disobeyed God over and over again. They followed the practices of the nations around them instead of following the Mount Sinai covenant.
Psalm 106 tells this history. Verse 47 shows that the speakers of this psalm were living in exile. They had been forced to live far away from their land. This was God’s judgement against them for their sins and the sins of their people.
They talked about the evil things they had done for a reason. It helped them understand why God had brought judgement against them. It also helped them understand something about God. God had always remained faithful to his people. Time after time God’s people had forgotten about him. But God always remembered his covenant. He forgave his people and saved them when they cried out to him. This helped the speakers be bold enough to ask God to save them again. The speaker at the beginning of Psalm 106 was sure that God would save them. God’s people would celebrate, give thanks and praise him when he rescued them.
105:6–11
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 (Psalm 89), God’s covenant with Abraham stands, as does the spiritual bond between God and Israel, Abraham’s descendants.
105:8
The covenant is the Lord’s unbreakable promise to be the Father of Abraham and his descendants (see Genesis 12:1–9; 15:1–21).
105:11
God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham's descendants as their special possession. They could live there as God's people (Psalm 105:44–45; Genesis 12:7; 15:7–21).
105:12–15
The Lord protected Israel’s patriarchs, the early fathers of the nation.
105:15
Abraham was one of the nation's prophets (Genesis 20:7).
105:16–22
These verses tell the story of Joseph (see Genesis 37–41).
105:19
his prediction: Literally, his word.
the word of the LORD proved him right: See Genesis 39:6–12.
105:23
Egypt (Hebrew Mitsrayim) is called the land of Ham.
105:23–25
These verses describe Israel's suffering in Egypt (see Exodus 1:1–14).
105:26–36
The psalmist tells the story of Moses and the plagues in Egypt (see Exodus 7:20–12:30).
105:37
none … stumbled: The Lord protected all of his people (compare Psalm 9:3).
105:37–45
The exodus and the conquest of Canaan fulfilled God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Psalm 105:9–10). Unlike Psalm 78, the poet describes the Lord's goodness without mentioning Israel's history of rebellion (compare Psalm 106).
105:39
The Lord’s presence was as evident to all as a fire in the darkness (Exodus 13:22).
105:42–45
The story of redemption is also the story of the Lord’s faithfulness.
105:44
Canaan was a land of pagan nations (see Psalm 111:6). The psalmist might also be thinking about God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 24:60) regarding the lands given to Isaac (Genesis 26:3).
105:45
The Lord planned for Israel to show who he is by obeying him. Israel was to be his example among the nations.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources