Psalms 105:1

PSALM 105

PRAISING GOD FOR WHAT HE DID FOR ISRAEL

We have been unable to find any authentic information about either the author or occasion of this psalm. After an introduction in the first five verses, the psalm mentions with thanksgiving and gratitude the covenant with Abraham; Isaac and Jacob (Psalms 105:6-12); God's guidance of Israel into Egypt and out (Psalms 105:13-23); His goodness to them during times of oppression (Psalms 105:24-25); God's deliverance of them from Egypt by Moses and Aaron (Psalms 105:26-38); His mercies in the wilderness (Psalms 105:39-41); and finally His gift of the land of Canaan (Psalms 105:42-45).

The psalm thus becomes a somewhat chronological survey of the history of Israel's progress from the days of the patriarchs to the Promised Land. Surprisingly, there is no mention either of the Red Sea Crossing, or that of the Jordan. Also, there is no hint whatever of the many rebellions of the chosen people in the wilderness.

Here and them, there are bits of information which are supplementary to the account in the Pentateuch. This, it seems, is characteristic of inspired writings.

Another fact regarding this psalm is that the first fifteen verses of it appear almost verbatim in 1 Chronicles 16:8-22. Leupold wrote, "This psalm appears to be the original."[1] This could be true, only if an early date is accepted for the psalm.

"This is the second of the four great songs of Israel's history, the others being Psalms 78; Psalms 106; and Psalms 136."[2]

Psalms 105:1-5

INTRODUCTION

"O give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name;

Make known among the peoples his doings,

Sing unto him, sing praises unto him;

Talk ye of all his marvelous works.

Glory ye in his holy name:

Let the heart of them rejoice that seek Jehovah.

Seek ye Jehovah and his strength;

Seek his face evermore.

Remember his marvelous works that he hath done,

His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth."

"Make known among the peoples his doings" (Psalms 105:1). This is a commandment for the people of Israel to tell among the Gentiles the wonderful deeds of the Lord.

Without any doubt, the most astounding events in human history are those clustered around the choice of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob by none less than God Himself. The miracles of the most monumental character attended the development of the Chosen People and God's displacing the nations of Canaan, re-populating it with Israel. Why this heavenly `partiality,' if we may call it that, to the Jews?

In the purpose of God this elevation of Abraham's posterity to a "preferred status" in God's sight was absolutely necessary.

When the entire Adamic race became so corrupt that God destroyed them in the Great Deluge, the human family had another beginning in the family of Noah; but when it soon became evident that the race of mankind was again on the road to total departure from God, Abraham and his descendants were selected for the purpose of preserving the knowledge of God on earth until the First Advent of Christ. Thus, Abraham was not chosen merely for his own sake, but for the sake of all mankind. Moreover, it was the particular ability of Abraham to command his children after him that entered into God's choice (Genesis 18:19). The redeemed of all ages, therefore, may thank God for the ability of Abraham. In God's first announcement of the choice of Abraham, he made it clear that "all the families of the earth" were included in God's purpose of salvation (Genesis 12:3).

"Remember his marvelous works, his wonders, and the judgments" (Psalms 105:5). This is the theme of the psalm. It is customary to break a psalm like this up into paragraphs; but as Rawlinson noted, "Such divisions here could be made only arbitrary, because there are no really marked divisions."[3]