Psalm 105:17-19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 105:8-24

We are here taught, in praising God, to look a great way back, and to give him the glory of what he did for his church in former ages, especially when it was in the founding and forming, which those in its latter ages enjoy the benefit of and therefore should give thanks for. Doubtless we may fetch as proper matter for praise from the histories of the gospels, and the acts of the apostles, which relate the birth of the Christian church, as the psalmist here does from the histories of Genesis... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 105:17

He sent a man before them, even Joseph ,.... Who, though but a lad of seventeen years of age when he was sold into Egypt, yet was a grown man when he stood before Pharaoh, and interpreted his dreams of plenty and famine to come; and advised him to lay up store in the years of plenty, against the years of famine; by which he appeared to be a wise man, as the Targum here calls him; see Genesis 37:3 . Him God sent before into Egypt; before Jacob and his sons went down thither, to make... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 105:18

Whose feet they hurt with fetters ,.... For it seems Joseph was not only cast into prison, upon the calumny of his mistress; but had fetters put upon him, and his feet were made fast with them; and these were so close and heavy, as to pinch and gall and hurt him; which, though not mentioned in his history, was undoubtedly true; see Genesis 39:20 . He was laid in iron : or "the iron" (or, as the Targum, "the iron chain") "went into his Soul" F6 So Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus. ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 105:19

Until the time that his word came ,.... Either the word of Joseph, interpreting the dreams of the butler and baker, till that came to be fulfilled; so the Syriac version, "till his word was proved by the event": or rather till the fame and report of that came to Pharaoh's ears, Genesis 41:13 , or else the word of the Lord, concerning his advancement and exaltation, signified in dreams to him, Genesis 37:7 , as it follows: the word of the Lord tried him : it tried his faith and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 105:19

Until the time that his word came - This appears to refer to the completion of Joseph's interpretation of the dreams of the chief butler and baker. The Word of the Lord tried him - This seems to refer to the interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams, called יהוה אמרת imrath Yehovah , "the oracle of the Lord," because sent by him to Pharaoh. See Genesis 41:26 , and Kennicott in loco. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 105:17

Verse 17 17.He sent a man before them This whole passage graphically teaches us, that whatever befell that people was by the hand and counsel of God. The simple recital would have been to say, that the famine came upon the land, after Joseph had been sold by his brethren, and carried into Egypt. But the prophet speaks emphatically, declaring that Joseph by the divine counsel had been sent before into Egypt, to support his father’s house, that afterwards the famine was called, and that then, by... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 105:18

Verse 18 18They afflicted his feet in the fetters It is not without cause that the Psalmist prosecutes the winding course of Jacob’s early history, which might so confuse the minds of men as to prevent them from directing their attention to the counsel of God. What seemed less likely than to believe that God, by so directly opposite and circuitous a path, meant to accomplish what he had purposed? But his providence, by surmounting so many obstacles, is brought out more conspicuously, than if he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 105:19

Verse 19 19.Until the time that his word came Here the prophet teaches, that although, according to the judgment of the flesh, God seems to be too tardy in his steps, yet he holds supreme rule over all things, that he may at length accomplish in due time what he has determined. As to the term word, it is here doubtless to be taken, not for doctrine or instruction, but for a heavenly decree. The relative his admits of being understood as well of God himself as of Joseph; but its application to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 105:1-45

The "introduction" forms a strophe by itself. It is usual to divide the historical portion into strophes; but this can only be done arbitrarily, there being no really marked divisions. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 105:1-45

The testimony of history. God reveals himself in many ways; of these one is found in human history. All history may be studied, that we may understand his Divine thought and purpose; but more especially sacred history, his dealings with his ancient people. The psalmist is continually returning to this as a source of striking and convincing illustration. Among other lessons brought out by this psalm are the following:— I. HIS FAITHFULNESS . ( Psalms 105:8-11 , Psalms 105:42-44 ... read more

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