Psalm 105 – A Detailed Explanation
Psalm 105 is a historical psalm of praise that recounts the faithfulness of God to His covenant and His people, Israel. It celebrates the mighty deeds of the Lord, particularly focusing on His covenant with Abraham and the providential care He demonstrated in bringing the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. This psalm not only reminds its readers of the wonders of God's works but also calls them to respond with praise and remembrance.
This psalm is typically attributed to an anonymous author and is often associated with the post-exilic community of Israel. It is thematically connected to Psalm 106, though where Psalm 105 celebrates God's faithfulness, Psalm 106 laments Israel's unfaithfulness. The psalm is believed to have been used in worship, especially during festivals that commemorate God's historical acts (such as Passover).
Structure of Psalm 105
Psalm 105 can be divided into the following sections:
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Call to Worship and Remember (Verses 1–6)
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Covenant with the Patriarchs (Verses 7–11)
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Providence in the Patriarchal Period (Verses 12–15)
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Joseph’s Journey to Egypt (Verses 16–22)
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Israel’s Sojourn and Growth in Egypt (Verses 23–25)
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The Exodus and God's Power in Egypt (Verses 26–36)
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Wilderness and God's Provision (Verses 37–42)
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Conclusion – God's Covenant Fulfilled (Verses 43–45)
Verses 1–6: A Call to Praise and Remember
"Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done."
The psalm opens with a summons to praise the Lord and proclaim His deeds. The imperatives—give thanks, call upon, make known, sing, tell, glory, rejoice, seek—show that worship is not passive but active. This introduction sets the tone for a communal act of remembering, recounting, and rejoicing in God’s interventions in history.
The psalmist encourages the people to “remember the wonders He has done.” This call to remembrance is a spiritual practice that keeps God’s faithfulness alive in the hearts of the people. The focus is on God’s “miracles” and “judgments,” which implies both blessings for His people and consequences for their enemies.
Verse 6 names the "offspring of Abraham" and "children of Jacob," anchoring the narrative that follows in the identity and heritage of Israel.
Verses 7–11: God's Covenant with Abraham
"He remembers his covenant forever,
the promise he made, for a thousand generations..."
Here, the psalm recounts God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This everlasting covenant is central to Israel’s identity. The land of Canaan is mentioned as the physical fulfillment of God's promise.
The psalmist emphasizes that God’s memory is perfect—He remembers His promises even when His people do not. The language here is solemn and legal in nature, echoing ancient treaty formulations.
This segment reinforces the reliability of God. Though the fulfillment of promises took generations, God's timeline never negates His faithfulness.
Verses 12–15: Protection During the Patriarchal Period
"When they were but few in number,
few indeed, and strangers in it..."
The patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) were wanderers in foreign lands. Despite their vulnerability, God protected them. The psalmist notes how God allowed "no one to oppress them" and rebuked kings for their sake.
This section references episodes like Abraham’s interaction with Pharaoh (Genesis 12) and Abimelek (Genesis 20). The divine command, “Do not touch my anointed ones,” reflects God's intimate concern for His chosen people, even before they became a nation.
It reminds Israel that God’s protective hand has always been with them, even when their numbers were small and their position precarious.
Verses 16–22: Joseph’s Journey to Egypt
"He called down famine on the land...
and he sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave."
Now the psalmist transitions into the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery but rose to power in Egypt. The famine and Joseph’s elevation are both portrayed as God’s doing. This affirms God’s sovereign control over all circumstances—even suffering.
Joseph’s hardship is not viewed as mere misfortune but as a part of God's redemptive plan. His story is an emblem of God using personal adversity to accomplish national salvation. The psalmist shows how God's hand was at work long before Israel faced its great trial of slavery.
God’s providence is deeply highlighted here—He “sent” Joseph, not as punishment, but as provision for what was to come.
Verses 23–25: Israel’s Prosperity and Enslavement in Egypt
"Then Israel entered Egypt;
Jacob resided as a foreigner in the land of Ham."
The text moves quickly through centuries of history. Israel’s entry into Egypt (Genesis 46) leads to their population boom and eventual enslavement. The “land of Ham” is a poetic name for Egypt.
This shows a dramatic shift: prosperity led to suspicion and eventual bondage. The increase in numbers fulfills God’s promise to make Abraham’s descendants numerous, yet this blessing leads to trial. The psalm attributes this too to God: "He turned their hearts to hate his people." Even in adversity, God's hand is acknowledged.
This reinforces that nothing occurs outside of God's knowledge or control.
Verses 26–36: God’s Wonders in Egypt
"He sent Moses his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen..."
This section recalls the plagues of Egypt, emphasizing God's miraculous interventions to deliver His people. The psalm provides a poetic recounting of the ten plagues (though not all are listed, and some are reordered for literary effect):
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Darkness (v.28)
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Water turned to blood (v.29)
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Frogs (v.30)
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Flies and gnats (v.31)
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Hail and lightning (v.32–33)
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Locusts (v.34–35)
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Death of the firstborn (v.36)
The emphasis is not on the details of the plagues but on God's power and justice. He acted in judgment against those who oppressed His people. Each act displays divine supremacy over nature and pagan gods.
These signs demonstrate that deliverance came not by human strength, but by God’s outstretched arm.
Verses 37–42: Provision in the Wilderness
"He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold,
and from among their tribes no one faltered."
After the plagues, God not only brings Israel out of Egypt but does so with abundance—“silver and gold”—and without weakness. This is likely a reference to the Egyptians giving riches to the Israelites as they departed (Exodus 12:35–36).
In the wilderness, God provides:
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A cloud by day and fire by night for guidance
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Quail for meat
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Manna (“bread of heaven”) for sustenance
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Water from the rock to quench their thirst
Each act is a supernatural provision, testifying to God’s care and commitment. The psalm ties all this back to God remembering “his holy promise given to his servant Abraham.”
This shows that God's acts of provision are not isolated events, but fulfillments of ancient covenantal promises.
Verses 43–45: Conclusion – A Covenant Fulfilled
"He brought out his people with rejoicing,
his chosen ones with shouts of joy..."
The psalm closes on a triumphant note. Israel's deliverance is marked by joy, fulfillment, and purpose. God gives them the lands of nations and they inherit what others labored to build. But this privilege comes with responsibility:
"...that they might keep his precepts
and observe his laws. Praise the Lord."
The purpose of all God’s acts—covenant, deliverance, provision—is so that His people would know Him, worship Him, and obey Him.
Theological Themes in Psalm 105
1. God’s Faithfulness
The central theme is that God is faithful to His promises. Across generations—from Abraham to Moses—God is shown to be unwavering in His commitment.
2. Divine Sovereignty
God is depicted as the orchestrator of history. From famine to favor, from slavery to salvation, He is in control.
3. Providence in Suffering
Joseph’s suffering and Israel’s enslavement are not meaningless—they are tools in God's redemptive plan. This challenges believers to trust God in seasons of hardship.
4. Covenant Identity
Israel is reminded of who they are—God’s chosen people, under His eternal covenant. Their national story is inseparable from God’s promises.
5. Worship Through Remembrance
Psalm 105 is a liturgical retelling of history, where remembering leads to worship. It teaches that recounting God's deeds strengthens faith.
Lessons for Today
Psalm 105 is more than a historical record—it’s a spiritual roadmap. For modern readers, it offers several takeaways:
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Worship God through memory. Recalling what God has done is a powerful spiritual discipline.
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Trust in God’s timing. The fulfillment of promises may take years or even generations, but God remains faithful.
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See purpose in hardship. Like Joseph, suffering may be a gateway to future blessing, both personally and communally.
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Praise is a collective act. This psalm invites the community to worship together by recalling their shared spiritual heritage.
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Obedience is the response to grace. God’s deliverance comes with a calling: to walk in His ways.
Final Thoughts
Psalm 105 is a majestic celebration of God’s covenant faithfulness. Its sweeping narrative from Abraham to the Promised Land reminds us that God is not only a God of power but a God of promises. In a world often marked by forgetfulness and ingratitude, this psalm calls the faithful to remember, to praise, and to trust.
Its message is as relevant now as it was for ancient Israel: God remembers, redeems, and reigns.
Let all who know His name declare His wonders to the ends of the earth.
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