Psalm 105 Study Notes

105:1-45 This psalm, an epic poem, resembles Pss 78 and 106 in form and content. Verses 1-15 recur in 1Ch 16:8-22, a song associated with the Davidic procession ushering the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem.

105:1-2 The psalm begins with a call to praise.

105:3 Honor denotes continuous praise.

105:4 Strength is figurative for the ark (78:61) that symbolized the Lord’s presence and preceded Israel into battle (Jos 6:6-7; 1Sm 4:3).

105:5 As long as Israel remembered God’s miraculous works, the Lord remembered his covenant promises (v. 8). God’s judgments are his ordinances (119:13; Ex 24:3).

105:6 The threefold covenant promise made to the patriarchs (seed, land, blessing) was realized by Israel as God’s chosen ones. The descendants of Abraham and Isaac were God’s “elect” people (cp. v. 43), who enjoyed the blessings of prosperity in the land designated by the Lord.

105:7-11 As sovereign God, the Lord affirmed the covenant with Israel (Gn 35:10-15), focusing specifically on the land as their inheritance.

105:12-13 The psalmist outlined the birth and growth of the nation of Israel, beginning with the time of the patriarchs, a nomadic people (Gn 12:1; 13:1; 20:1) traveling throughout Canaan.

105:14 The word allowed derives from the Hebrew noach (“leave untouched, settle securely, repose”). The verb serves a dual role, since God’s refusal to “permit” oppression “allowed” the patriarchs to dwell safely. He rebuked kings refers to the divine protection of Sarah from Pharaoh (Gn 12:17) and Sarah and Rebekah from Abimelech (Gn 20:13; 26:11).

105:15 God’s anointed ones would include kings, priests, and prophets, all of whom received anointing in a dedication ceremony.

105:16 The famine in the land of Canaan (Gn 41:53-57) eventually brought Jacob and his sons to Egypt. The entire food supply is literally “every staff of bread.” The staff could refer to a rod on which bread, shaped in rings, was hung up to protect it from rodents, or it could be speaking figuratively of bread as the staff of life.

105:17 Jacob’s son Joseph, sold by his brothers to nomads, entered the land of Egypt and was providentially raised to a high office in Pharaoh’s court (Gn 37:12-26; 45:5).

105:18 Joseph was unjustly imprisoned in Egypt following accusations by Potiphar’s wife (Gn 39:20).

105:19-22 Tested describes the smelting process that removed dross from fine metal. Joseph’s imprisonment increased his trust in the Lord. Pharaoh eventually released him because of his prophetic dreams and Joseph’s interpretations; he installed Joseph over his house, all his possessions, and all other officials (Gn 41:39-42).

105:23 The designation Israel refers to Jacob and his sons (Gn 46). The land of Ham is another name for Egypt (78:51; 106:22; Gn 10:6).

105:24 The Hebrew word translated as more numerous implies “stronger,” with the nuance of physical power.

105:25 This psalm emphasizes Yahweh’s sovereign control of all people and events in Israel’s history, including those that seemed bad at the time (cp. v. 16).

105:26-27 Moses is called God’s servant twelve times in the OT. Aaron was chosen by God to be Moses’s prophet (Ex 7:1).

105:28 The psalmist listed the plague of darkness out of order because it was the first sign that resulted in Egypt’s acknowledgment of the Lord’s power (Ex 10:21).

105:29-36 The psalmist recounted some of the plagues in Egypt that enabled the Lord’s people to escape. The plagues were water into blood (Ex 7:14-24), frogs (Ex 8:5-15), gnats (Ex 8:16-19), hail (Ex 9:13-35), locusts that consumed all the vegetation (Ex 10:1-20), and culminated in the death of the firstborn of Egypt (Ex 11:1-10). The firstborn represented the virility and strength of the family. In Egyptian culture, Pharaoh and his firstborn son claimed to have the status of deity.

105:37-38 Verse 37 alludes to Ex 12:35-36, and v. 38 to Ex 12:33.

105:39 The cloud and fire refer to the pillar of cloud and fire (Ex 13:20-22; 14:19-20; 40:36-37) that guided the Israelites throughout their journey in the wilderness.

105:40-42 The Lord provided quail when the Israelites complained about the manna from heaven (78:25; Ex 16:4; Nm 11:4-35), and he also gave them water from a rock (Ex 17:1-7; Nm 20:9-11). God’s provision for his people reflects his faithfulness to the covenant first initiated with Abraham.

105:43 Israel is called God’s chosen ones eight times in the OT (e.g., Is 65:9,15,22).

105:44-45 The lands of the nations refers to Canaan, which contained wicked peoples long deserving judgment. Israel conquered the peoples and inhabited their cities, consumed their harvests, and possessed their flocks. The purpose of the Lord’s protection and provision was to motivate Israel to maintain a relationship with him through their obedience.