Psalm 105:17

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 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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 105:1-45

He watching over Israel slumbers not nor sleeps. I. A BLESSED RETROSPECT . 1 . He knows it is blessed, because, ere the psalmist sets it down, he summons, in intensely earnest, varied, and emphatic wag, all people to give thanks unto the Lord. 2 . And he tells them wherefore they should hearken to his Word— because the Lord "hath remembered his covenant forever," etc. ( Psalms 105:8 ). 3 . Then comes the covenant history. He tells what the covenant was ( Psalms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 105:17

He sent a man before them, even Joseph. This is the real sense, though it is not fully expressed in the Hebrew. On the providential sending of Joseph into Egypt, see his own words, "God did send me before you, to preserve life" ( Genesis 45:5 ). Who was sold for a servant (comp. Genesis 33:1-20 :28, 36; Genesis 39:1 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 105:17-22

The mission of Joseph. "He had sent a man before them" (Prayer book Version). The point is, that God had been beforehand, foreknowing how the famine would affect Jacob's tribe, and getting preparations made for affording necessary relief when the testing time came. Joseph, relative to his family, was a forerunner; one sent on first in order to prepare the way. But herein is a remarkable thing—the providences that brought round to him the power to save his family, involved his own personal... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 105:17

He sent a man before them - That is, He so ordered it by his providence that a man - Joseph - was sent before the family of Jacob into Egypt, that he might make arrangements for their reception and preservation. The whole matter was as God had sent him, or had commanded him to go. And yet it was brought about as the result of a series of acts of the most wicked character; by the envy and the hatred of his brethren; by their guilt and hardness of heart in proposing at first to put him to death,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 105:16-18

Psalms 105:16-18. He called for a famine That is, he brought a famine upon the land. He brake the whole staff of bread Bread, which is the staff or support of men’s lives. He sent a man before them Who was to nourish them in the famine: sent him, by the direction of his secret providence, many years before the famine began. Such are the foresight and timely care of Divine Providence. Whose feet they hurt with fetters Being unjustly charged with a most heinous crime. He was laid in... read more

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