39. covering—in sense of protection (compare Exodus 13:21; 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; Isaiah 4:6; compare Isaiah 4:6- :). read more
Psalms 105This psalm praises God for His faithful dealings with Israel. It reviews Israel’s history from Abraham to the wilderness wanderings (cf. 1 Chronicles 16:9-36), and the Abrahamic Covenant is its centerpiece. read more
2. The record of God’s faithfulness to Israel 105:7-41 read more
Psalms 105:12-15 describe God’s care of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (cf. Genesis 12-36). Psalms 105:16-23 summarize God’s preservation of the chosen family through Joseph’s protection (Genesis 37-50). Psalms 105:24 refers to God’s increase of the Israelites during their Egyptian sojourn (Exodus 1). Psalms 105:25-36 review how the Lord prepared His people to depart from Egypt with emphasis on the plagues He sent (Exodus 2-12; cf. Psalms 78:44-51). Psalms 105:37-38 describe the Exodus itself... read more
This Ps. and the following one form a closely connected pair, and may be looked on as by the same author. From the closing vv. of Psalms 106 it appears that they were written after the first return from exile had taken place, but while many Israelites were still scattered among the heathen. Both Pss. are partly wrought into the composite poem in 1 Chronicles 16. Psalms 105 is a song of thanksgiving, recalling with gratitude God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Psalms 105:8-12), His... read more
(39) Cloud.—As in Isaiah 4:5. The reason assigned for the cloud in the historical books is lost sight of. Instead of a pillar marking the line of march, or as a protection against the pursuing foe, it is a canopy for protection from the sun. Sir Walter Scott expresses the same idea in Rebecca’s hymn. read more
The Trial of Joseph Psalms 105:19 The career of Joseph is of the kind to which we give the name of romance. That word is a vague one, and it would cost us some pains to define; but we all think we know a romance when we hear it, and the tale of Joseph is one. A boy of genius, hated by his brothers because he was a genius and knew it, led through startling vicissitudes of fortune, from a father's partial love to the estate of slave, from the black arch of a dungeon to the splendour round a... read more
Psalms 105:1-45IT is a reasonable conjecture that the Hallelujah at the end of Psalms 104:1-35, where it is superfluous, properly belongs to this psalm, which would then be assimilated to Psalms 106:1-48, which is obviously a companion psalm. Both are retrospective and didactic; but Psalms 105:1-45 deals entirely with God’s unfailing faithfulness to Israel, while Psalms 106:1-48 sets forth the sad contrast presented by Israel’s continual faithlessness to God. Each theme is made more impressive... read more
Psalms 105:0 and 106 The Memories of the Past The last two Psalms of this fourth section review the entire history of Israel up to the time of the judges. It is the story of God’s faithfulness and mercy, and the story of their shameful failure and apostasy. He is ever mindful of His covenant, and that covenant is mentioned first, as the foundation of all. Then how He watched over them. The story of Joseph is mentioned, followed by the rehearsal of the deliverance out of Egypt. Psalms 106:1-48... read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 105:39
THREE WONDERS IN THE WILDERNESS"He spread a cloud for a covering,And fire to give light in the night.They asked, and he brought quails,And satisfied them with the bread of heaven.He opened the rock, and waters gushed out;They ran in the dry places like a river."There were many wonders during the wilderness period, but only these are cited here: (1) The pillar of cloud and of fire by day and by night is recorded in Exodus 13:21-22. (2) The miraculous food of quails and the manna are featured in... read more