The Self-Interpreting BibleJohn Brown of Haddington

The Book of Psalms

Psalm 105

Psalm CV · Vol. II, pp. 1055–1056

1 An exhortation to praise God, and to seek out his works. 8 His providence over Abraham, 16 over Joseph, 23 over Israel in Egypt, 26 over Moses delivering the Israelites, 37 over the Israelites brought out of Egypt, fed in the wilderness, and planted in Canaan.

Notes ↓

1 O givea thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name;1 make bknown his deeds among the people.

B.C. cir. 1045.

a 1 Ch.16.8-22. Is.12.4. Ps.136.1-26.

1 See note on Ex.34.6.—C.

b Ps.40.10; 145.5,6,11. Je.50.28; 51.10.

2 Singc unto him, sing psalms unto him; talk ye of all his wondrous works.

3 Gloryd ye in his holy name: elet the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

4 Seekg the LORD, and his 2strength;3 seek his face evermore.

g Ps.27.8. Am.5.4,6,8,14. Mat.7.7.

2 Ark, Ps.78.61; 132.8.

3 That is, seek Christ, the end of the law for righteousness—the wisdom of God, and the power of God, 1 Co.1.24. Of the power of God we know nothing, but by his Word in creation, providence, and redemption.—C.

5 Rememberh his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,

6 Oi ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.

7 Hej is the LORD our God:4 his kjudgments are in all the earth.

j Ge.17.7. Ex.20.2.

4 Our God. This expression sufficiently indicates that the church speaks by the instruction of the Spirit, making known by her experience the manifold wisdom of God.—C.

k Is.26.9. Ps.9.16; 48.11; 97.8.

8 Hel hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations:

9 Whichn covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;

10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant;

11 Saying, oUnto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot5 of your inheritance:

o Ge.12.7; 13.15; 26.4; 28.13.

5 Heb. the cord, Jos.13.6; 14.2. Ps.78.55. De.32.9.

12 When they were but pa few men in number; yea, very few, and qstrangers in it.

13 Whenr they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people,

14 Hes suffered no man to do them wrong; yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;

15 Saying, tTouch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.6

1920.

t Ge.20.7; 26.11,29.

6 This was the grand lesson taught by all God's providential dealings with his people. It was taught in the life of Abraham, but especially in the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt. This was the teaching of history rather than of direct revelation.—P.

Vol. II, p. 1056

16 Moreover, he ucalled for va famine upon the land: he brake the whole xstaff of bread.

A.M. cir. 2959. B.C. cir. 1045.

u Mat.8.9. Ps.33.9.

v Ge.41.54; 45.6.

x Le.26.26. Is.3.1. Eze.4.16. Ps.104.15.

17 Hey sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant;7

y Ge.45.5; 50.20; 37.28; 39.1,20.

7 God sent Joseph by his foresight in mercy, and for that end overruled the jealousy of his brethren—being able with equal ease and equal holiness to make either the good or the bad passions of men effect his gracious purposes.—C.

18 Whosez feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron;8

z Ge.39.20; 40.15.

8 Heb. his soul came into iron.

19 Until the time that his aword came: the word of the LORD tried him.

20 Theb king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.

21 Hec made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance;9

c Ac.7.10. Ge.41.40-44.

9 Heb. possession.

22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.

23 Israeld also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham:1

d Ge.46.6,7. Jos.24.4. Ps.78.51. Ac.7.15.

1 Egypt was so called because Mitzraim, the progenitor of the Egyptians, was a son of Ham.—P.

24 Ande he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.

25 Heg turned their heart2 to hate his people, to deal subtilely with his servants.

1590.

g Ex.1.8-22; 2.23; 5.4-19. Ac.7.19.

2 God was not the author of this sinful hatred, but by his righteous demand of his people's liberation he gave occasion for its production. See note on Ex. 4.21.—C.

26 Heh sent Moses his servant, and Aaron whom he had chosen.

27 Theyi showed his signs3 among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.

i Ex.vii.-xii. Ps.78.43-51; 135.8,9. Ac.7.36. Je.32.20.

3 Heb. words of his signs.

28 Hej sent darkness, and made it dark; and they4 rebelled not against his word.5

j Ex.10.21-23.

4 Moses and Aaron, ver.26. Ex.10.9,26.

5 That is, Moses and Aaron rebelled not at all, and the people not yet. The rebellions of the people commenced in the wilderness. The seed was sown in stony ground—it grew for a little, but in the blast of affliction their greenest professions soon withered away.—C.

29 Hek turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.

30 Theirl land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.

31 Hen spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.

32 Heo gave them hail for rain,6 and flaming fire in their land.

o Ex.9.23-25. Ps.78.47.

6 Heb. He gave their rain hail.

33 He smote their vines also and their fig-trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.

34 Hep spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillars, and that without number,

35 Andq did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.

36 Her smote also all the first-born in their land, the chief of all their strength.

37 Hes brought them forth7 also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.8

s Ex.12.35,36. Ge.15.14. Ac.13.17.

7 1491.

8 This is a remarkable statement. The fact is not expressly mentioned in the narrative of the exodus, but it is manifestly implied. Not a single Israelite, old or young, was left behind. All of them therefore were, by a miracle of providence, enabled to set out on that eventful journey.—P.

38 Egyptt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.

39 Heu spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.

40 Thev people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

41 Hex opened the rock,9 and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.

A.M. cir. 2959. B.C. cir. 1045.

x Ex.17.6. Ps.78.15,16. Nu.20.11. 1 Co.10.4. Is.48.21.

9 cir. 1444.

42 Fory he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.

43 Andz he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness;1

z Ex.6.6. Je.32.21, with Is.35.10; 51.11.

1 Heb. singing.

44 Anda gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;

45 Thatb they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.2

b De.4.1,40; 6.21,24,25; 12.32.

2 Heb. Hallelujah, Ps.104.35. Re.19.1,3.

Notes

Ver. 16. Human skill and industry are instruments of abundance; and to cultivate and exercise them, a bounden duty—yet abundance is not attainable, nor famine avoidable, by their utmost exertion; every comfort, every blessing, is of God that showeth mercy. C.

Ver. 44. It has been customary for infidels to charge this as an act of injustice against the God of Israel. But how little do they consider, that even a human superior is universally held entitled to remove a wicked and dishonest occupant, who refuses to render his stipulated return. How much more had God a right to drive out the most wicked of all nations, who not only refused to acknowledge their righteous Lord paramount, but who worshipped devils, while they hated him? C.

Reflections.—How infinitely excellent is this God, who deserves such gratitude, such praise, such search, such confidence! Marvellous is his blessed relation to us, and tender mercies towards us: and thrice happy are they who have him their own and their fathers' God! Happy are they who know the judgments of his mouth, his word, and live thereby; and for whose welfare the judgments of his hand are executed in all the earth! From mean appearances God's great manifestations of himself take their rise. But great is the care he takes of his people in this world, where they are but few, and strangers. He that touches them touches the apple of his eye. And apparent difficulties easily vanish before the power of a promising God. But how mysterious are his ways of providence! When things seem most against us, they are often strongly working for our good. Even calumnies and sufferings are made to try and prepare men for and advance them to honour. His church shall never want a friend in time of need. He can raise them up protectors where they least expect to find favour. And if God advance us, our duty is to discern his hand, and to adorn our station, by making it subservient to his glory. No danger or difficulty must deter us when his work is to be done.—All creatures concur in executing God's will of judgment or mercy. His protection, deliverance, and care of his people are wonderfully connected with the most fearful plagues and ruin of the wicked. And through trials unnumbered, and of long continuance, God's promises are at last perfectly accomplished in all who believe in Christ.

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