---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 105"
description: "PSALM 105   :-. After an exhortation to praise God, addressed
especially to the chosen people, the writer presents the special
reason for praise, in a sum"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/105"
---

PSALM 105

. After an exhortation to praise God, addressed
especially to the chosen people, the writer presents the special
reason for praise, in a summary of their history from the calling of
Abraham to their settlement in Canaan, and reminds them that their
obedience was the end of all God's gracious dealings.

**1. call . . . name**— ([Psalms 79:6](../../../kjv/psalms/79/6);
[Romans 10:13](../../../kjv/romans/10/13)). Call on Him,
according to His historically manifested glory. After the example of
Abraham, who, as often as God acquired for Himself a name in guiding
him, *called* in solemn worship upon the name of the Lord
([Genesis 12:8](../../../kjv/genesis/12/8); [Genesis 13:4](../../../kjv/genesis/13/4)).
**among the people**—or,
"peoples" ([Psalms 18:49](../../../kjv/psalms/18/49)).
**deeds**—or, "wonders"
([Psalms 103:7](../../../kjv/psalms/103/7)).

**3, 4.** Seeking God's favor is the
only true mode of getting true happiness, and *His strength* [] is the only true source of protection (compare [Psalms 32:11](../../../kjv/psalms/32/11);
[Psalms 40:16](../../../kjv/psalms/40/16)).
**Glory . . . name**—boast
in His perfections. The world glories in its horses and chariots
against the Church of God lying in the dust; but *our* hope is
in the name, that is, the power and love of God to His people,
manifested in past deliverances.

**5, 6. judgments . . . mouth**—His
judicial decisions for the good and against the wicked.

**6. chosen**—rather qualifies
"children" than "Jacob," as a plural.

**7.** Rather, "He, Jehovah, is
our God." His title, "JEHOVAH,"
implies that He, the unchangeable, self-existing Being, makes things
to be, that is, fulfils His promises, and therefore will not forsake
His people. Though specially of His people, He is God over all.

**8-11.** The covenant was often
ratified.
**word**—answering to
"covenant" [[Psalms 105:9](../../../kjv/psalms/105/9)]
in the parallel clause, namely, the word of promise, which, according
to [Psalms 105:10](../../../kjv/psalms/105/10), He set forth
for an inviolable law.
**commanded**—or,
"ordained" ([Psalms 68:28](../../../kjv/psalms/68/28)).
**to a thousand
generations**—perpetually. A verbal allusion to [Psalms 68:28](../../../kjv/psalms/68/28) (compare [Exodus 20:6](../../../kjv/exodus/20/6)).

**9. Which covenant**—or, "Word"
([Psalms 105:8](../../../kjv/psalms/105/8)).

**10, 11.** Alluding to God's
promise to Jacob ([Genesis 28:13](../../../kjv/genesis/28/13)).
Out of the whole storehouse of the promises of God, only one is
prominently brought forward, namely, that concerning the possession
of Canaan [[Psalms 105:11](../../../kjv/psalms/105/11)].
Everything revolves around this. The wonders and judgments have all
for their ultimate design the fulfilment of this promise.

**12-15. few . . . in number**—alluding
to Jacob's words ([Genesis 34:30](../../../kjv/genesis/34/30)), "I
being *few in number.*"
**yea, very few**—literally,
"as a few," that is, like fewness itself (compare [Genesis 34:30](../../../kjv/genesis/34/30)).
**strangers**—sojourners in
the land of their future inheritance, as in a strange country ([Genesis 34:30](../../../kjv/genesis/34/30)).

**13. from one nation to another**—and
so from danger to danger; now in Egypt, now in the wilderness, and
lastly in Canaan. Though a few strangers, wandering among various
nations, God protected them.

**14. reproved kings**—Pharaoh of
Egypt and Abimelech of Gerar ([Genesis 12:17](../../../kjv/genesis/12/17);
[Genesis 20:3](../../../kjv/genesis/20/3)).

**15. Touch not**—referring to , where Abimelech says of Isaac, "He that *toucheth*
this man or his wife shall surely be put to death."
**mine anointed**—as
specially consecrated to Me (). The patriarch was the prophet, priest, and king of his
family.
**my prophets**—in a
similar sense, compare [Genesis 20:7](../../../kjv/genesis/20/7).
The "anointed" are those vessels of God, consecrated to His
service, "in whom (as Pharaoh said of Joseph, [Genesis 20:7](../../../kjv/genesis/20/7)) the Spirit of God is" [HENGSTENBERG].

**16.** God ordered the famine. God
**called for a famine**—as
if it were a *servant,* ready to come at God's bidding. Compare
the centurion's words, as to disease being God's servant ([Matthew 8:8](../../../kjv/matthew/8/8);
[Matthew 8:9](../../../kjv/matthew/8/9)).
**upon the land**—namely,
Canaan ([Genesis 41:54](../../../kjv/genesis/41/54)).
**staff of bread**—what
supports life ([Leviticus 26:26](../../../kjv/leviticus/26/26); [Psalms 104:15](../../../kjv/psalms/104/15);
[Isaiah 3:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/3/1)).

**17-21.** Joseph was sent of God
([Genesis 45:5](../../../kjv/genesis/45/5)).

**18. hurt with fetters**— ().
**was laid in iron**—literally,
"his soul" (see on ), or, "he came into iron," or, he was bound to
his grief (compare [Psalms 3:2](../../../kjv/psalms/3/2);
[Psalms 11:1](../../../kjv/psalms/11/1)). The "soul"
is put for the whole person, because the soul of the captive suffers
still more than the body. Joseph is referred to as being an
appropriate type of those "bound in affliction and iron"
([Psalms 107:10](../../../kjv/psalms/107/10)).

**19. his word came**—His prophecy
([Genesis 41:11-20](../../../kjv/genesis/41/11-20)) to the
officers came to pass, or was fulfilled ([Judges 13:12](../../../kjv/judges/13/12);
[Judges 13:17](../../../kjv/judges/13/17); [1 Samuel 9:6](../../../kjv/1-samuel/9/6),
explain the form of speech).
**the word of the Lord**—or,
"saying," or "decree of the Lord."
**tried him**—or, "proved
him," by the afflictions it appointed him to endure before his
elevation (compare [1 Samuel 9:6](../../../kjv/1-samuel/9/6)).

**17-21.** Joseph was sent of God
([Genesis 45:5](../../../kjv/genesis/45/5)).

**22. To bind**—Not literally
*bind;* but *exercise over them absolute control,* as the
parallel in the second clause shows; also [Genesis 41:40](../../../kjv/genesis/41/40);
[Genesis 41:44](../../../kjv/genesis/41/44), in which not literal
*fettering,* but *commanding obedience,* is spoken of. It
refers to [Psalms 105:18](../../../kjv/psalms/105/18). The soul
that was once *bound* itself now *binds* others, even
princes. The same moral *binding* is assigned to the saints ([Psalms 105:18](../../../kjv/psalms/105/18)).
**teach . . . senators
wisdom**—the ground of his exaltation by Pharaoh was his *wisdom*
([Genesis 41:39](../../../kjv/genesis/41/39)); namely, in state
policy, and ordering well a kingdom.

**23-25. Israel . . . and Jacob**—that
is, Jacob himself is meant, as speaks of "his people." Still, he came with his
whole house ([Genesis 46:6](../../../kjv/genesis/46/6); [Genesis 46:7](../../../kjv/genesis/46/7)).
**sojourned**— ([Genesis 46:7](../../../kjv/genesis/46/7)).
**land of Ham**—or, Egypt
([Psalms 78:51](../../../kjv/psalms/78/51)).

**25. turned their heart**—God
controls men's free acts (compare ). "When Saul had turned his back to go from (God's
prophet) Samuel, God *turned* (*Margin*) him another heart"
(see [Exodus 1:8](../../../kjv/exodus/1/8), c.). Whatever evil
the wicked man plots against God's people, God holds bound even his
heart, so as not to lay a single plan except what God permits. Thus
Isaiah ([Isaiah 43:17](../../../kjv/isaiah/43/17)) says it was
*God* who *brought forth the army* of Pharaoh to pursue
Israel to their own destruction ([Exodus 4:21](../../../kjv/exodus/4/21)
[Exodus 7:3](../../../kjv/exodus/7/3)).

**26. Moses . . . chosen**—both
what they were by divine choice ().

**27. signs**—literally, "words
of signs," or rather, as "words" in *Hebrew*
means "things," "things of His signs," that is,
His marvellous tokens of power (, *Margin*). Compare the same Hebraism (, *Margin*).

**28-36.** The ninth plague is made
prominent as peculiarly wonderful.
**they rebelled not**—Moses
and Aaron promptly obeyed God (); (compare [Exodus 7:1-11](../../../kjv/exodus/7/1-11);
[Psalms 78:44-51](../../../kjv/psalms/78/44-51), with which
this summary substantially agrees). Or, rather, the "darkness"
here is figurative ([Jeremiah 13:16](../../../kjv/jeremiah/13/16)),
the literal plague of darkness ([Exodus 10:22](../../../kjv/exodus/10/22);
[Exodus 10:23](../../../kjv/exodus/10/23)) being only *alluded*
to as the symbol of God's wrath which overhung Egypt as a dark cloud
during all the plagues. Hence, it is placed first, out of the
historical order. Thus, "They rebelled not (that is, no longer)
against His word," refers to *the Egyptians.* Whenever God
sent a plague on them, *they were ready to let Israel go,*
though refusing when the plague ceased.
**his word**—His command to
let Israel go [HENGSTENBERG].
Of the ten plagues, only eight are mentioned, the fifth, the murrain
of beasts, and the sixth, the boils, being omitted.

**29-31.** He deprived them of their
favorite "fish," and gave them instead, [] out of the water, loathsome "frogs," and () upon their land tormenting "flies" (the
dog-fly, according to MAURER)
and "lice" (gnats, according to HENGSTENBERG).

**32. gave them**—referring to , "I *give* you rain in due season." His
"gift" to Israel's foes is one of a very different kind
from that bestowed on His people.
**hail for rain**—instead
of fertilizing showers, hail destructive to trees. This forms the
transition to the vegetable kingdom. The locusts in similarly are destructive to plants.

**33. their coasts**—all their
land ([Psalms 78:54](../../../kjv/psalms/78/54)).

**34. caterpillars**—literally,
"the lickers up," devouring insects; probably the
hairy-winged locust.

**28-36.** The ninth plague is made
prominent as peculiarly wonderful.
**they rebelled not**—Moses
and Aaron promptly obeyed God (); (compare [Exodus 7:1-11](../../../kjv/exodus/7/1-11);
[Psalms 78:44-51](../../../kjv/psalms/78/44-51), with which
this summary substantially agrees). Or, rather, the "darkness"
here is figurative ([Jeremiah 13:16](../../../kjv/jeremiah/13/16)),
the literal plague of darkness ([Exodus 10:22](../../../kjv/exodus/10/22);
[Exodus 10:23](../../../kjv/exodus/10/23)) being only *alluded*
to as the symbol of God's wrath which overhung Egypt as a dark cloud
during all the plagues. Hence, it is placed first, out of the
historical order. Thus, "They rebelled not (that is, no longer)
against His word," refers to *the Egyptians.* Whenever God
sent a plague on them, *they were ready to let Israel go,*
though refusing when the plague ceased.
**his word**—His command to
let Israel go [HENGSTENBERG].
Of the ten plagues, only eight are mentioned, the fifth, the murrain
of beasts, and the sixth, the boils, being omitted.

**36. the chief**—literally, "the
firstlings." The ascending climax passes from the food of man to
man himself. The language here is quoted from .

**37. with silver and gold**—*presented*
them by the Egyptians, as an acknowledgment due for their labors in
their bondage (compare [Exodus 12:35](../../../kjv/exodus/12/35)).
**one feeble person**—or,
"stumbler," unfit for the line of march. Compare
"harnessed," that is, accoutred and marshalled as an army
on march ([Exodus 13:18](../../../kjv/exodus/13/18); [Isaiah 5:27](../../../kjv/isaiah/5/27)).

**38.** (Compare [Exodus 12:33](../../../kjv/exodus/12/33);
[Deuteronomy 11:25](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/11/25)).

**39. covering**—in sense of
protection (compare [Exodus 13:21](../../../kjv/exodus/13/21);
[Numbers 10:34](../../../kjv/numbers/10/34)). In the burning sands
of the desert the cloud protected the congregation from the heat of
the sun; an emblem of God's protecting favor of His people, as
interpreted by Isaiah ([Isaiah 4:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/4/5);
[Isaiah 4:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/4/6); compare [Isaiah 4:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/4/6)).

**42-45.** The reasons for these
dealings: (1) God's faithfulness to His covenant, "His holy
promise" of Canaan, is the fountain whence flowed so many acts
of marvellous kindness to His people (compare [Psalms 105:8](../../../kjv/psalms/105/8);
[Psalms 105:11](../../../kjv/psalms/105/11)). [Psalms 105:11](../../../kjv/psalms/105/11) is the fundamental passage [HENGSTENBERG].
(2) That they might be obedient. The observance of God's commands by
Abraham was the object of the covenant with him ([Psalms 105:11](../../../kjv/psalms/105/11)), as it was also the object of the covenant with Israel,
that they might observe God's statutes.
**remembered . . . and
Abraham**—or, "remembered His holy word (that is, covenant
confirmed) *with* Abraham."

**44. inherited the labour**—that
is, the fruits of their labor; their corn and vineyards ().

**42-45.** The reasons for these
dealings: (1) God's faithfulness to His covenant, "His holy
promise" of Canaan, is the fountain whence flowed so many acts
of marvellous kindness to His people (compare [Psalms 105:8](../../../kjv/psalms/105/8);
[Psalms 105:11](../../../kjv/psalms/105/11)). [Psalms 105:11](../../../kjv/psalms/105/11) is the fundamental passage [HENGSTENBERG].
(2) That they might be obedient. The observance of God's commands by
Abraham was the object of the covenant with him ([Psalms 105:11](../../../kjv/psalms/105/11)), as it was also the object of the covenant with Israel,
that they might observe God's statutes.
**remembered . . . and
Abraham**—or, "remembered His holy word (that is, covenant
confirmed) *with* Abraham."

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