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.
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.
5 Rememberh his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
h Ps.77.11; 135.4-12. De.7.18,19; 8.2; 32.7,10.
6 Oi ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
i 1 Ch.16.13. He.11.12. Ro.9.4,5.
10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant;
19 Until the time that his aword came: the word of the LORD tried him.
a Ge.41.1-44, with 1 Pe.1.7. Ac.7.10.
20 Theb king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.
b Ge.41.14,40. Ac.7.10.
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.
24 Ande he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
e Ex.1.7,12,20. He.11.12. De.26.5. Ac.7.17.
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.
k Ex.7.20,21. Ps.78.44.
31 Hen spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.
n Ex.8.17,24. Ps.78.45.
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,
p Ex.10.12-14. Ps.78.46.
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.
44 Anda gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;
cir. 1444.
a De.6.10,11. Jos.3.10; vi.-xxi. Ne.9.22-25. Ps.44.2,3; 78.55; 135.12; 136.21,22.
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.