KJV

105:1 [note three aspects of true worship…] [1] O give thanks unto the LORD [in Heb. the personal name of Israel’s God]; [2] call [cf. Ps. 79:6; Rom. 10:13] upon his name: [3] make known [those who have experienced what the Lord has done should not/must not remain silent; cf. Ps. 66:16] his deeds [cf. Ps. 9:1; 103:7] among the people [peoples; those who do not know; cf. Ps. 18:49].

Note: Over 2000 people groups are still waiting to hear the message of what God has done through Christ to provide salvation.

105:2 Sing [those listening would hear about what God had done] unto him, sing psalms [“praise” (NIV); means to speak of someone’s excellence] unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works [either cosmic deeds or historical actions that were beyond human capabilities].

Note: Do you talk to others about what God has done and is doing in your life?

105:3 Glory [an imperative summons for Israel to praise God] ye in his holy name [God’s name reflected who God is (His attributes and activity)]: let the heart [the center of human will or volition in Heb. thought] of them rejoice [cf. Ps. 40:16] that seek the LORD.

105:4 [1] Seek the LORD, and [2] his strength [only true and utterly reliable source of protection]: [3] seek his face [His presence; sadly, some only seek the provision that comes from His hand] evermore [continually; not just in times of crisis].

105:5 Remember [more than an intellectual exercise; includes acting upon that which is remembered; forgetfulness is an indication of ingratitude] his marvellous works [same Heb. word translated “wonderful acts” in 16:9; word denotes what human beings cannot do; cf. Ps. 40:5] that he hath done; his wonders [special displays of God’s power], and the judgments [judicial decisions] of his mouth;

Note: How can remembering the wonders God has done in the past encourage you in the present?

105:6 O ye seed of Abraham [1 Chron. 16:13 uses “Israel” instead of “Abraham”] his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.

105:7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all [defines the scope of His jurisdiction] the earth.

105:8 He hath remembered his covenant [a legal contract; here probably refers to covenant established at Mt. Sinai] for ever, the word [the word of promise; cf. Ps. 105:9-10] which he commanded [ordained] to a thousand generations [perpetually or forever; cf. Deut. 7:9 (Ex. 20:6)].

105:9 Which covenant he made with Abraham [cf. Gen. 12:1-7], and his oath [a binding promise; was often associated with covenant making] unto Isaac [Abraham’s son];

105:10 [promise made to Abraham was passed from generation to generation to the time of David] And confirmed the same unto Jacob [cf. Gen. 28:13] for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:

105:11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:

105:12 When they were but a few men in number [cf. Jacob’s words in Gen. 34:30]; yea, very few, and strangers [sojourners] in it [the land of their future inheritance; cf. Heb. 11:9].

105:13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people [from one dangerous location to another (Egypt, wilderness, Canaan];

105:14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings [Pharaoh of Egypt (Gen. 12:17) and Abimelech of Gerar (Gen. 20:3)] for their sakes;

105:15 Saying, Touch not [cf. Gen. 26:11] mine anointed [those set apart by God; here used as a reference to the patriarchs], and do my prophets [here used as a reference to the patriarchs, called prophets in sense of being recipients of God’s special revelation] no harm.

105:16 Moreover he called [to use it as an instrument within His larger redemptive purpose] for a famine [even severe circumstances can serve purposes that are not immediately visible] upon the land [refers primarily to Canaan, though the famine extended into Egypt and the surrounding regions (Genesis 41:54–57)]: he brake the whole staff [something upon which a person leans for support] of bread [a biblical expression for the food supply].



Note: God may permit the supports on which we depend to be broken in order to accomplish a purpose we cannot yet see. Before God “called for a famine,” He was already preparing Joseph to preserve life.

105:17 He [God; Joseph’s brothers sold him but God sent him] sent [did not mean Joseph was protected from hardship] a man before them [Joseph arrived in Egypt before the famine forced his family there; provision preceded need], even Joseph [God’s provision was more than a plan, it was a person; God would preserve the covenant family through Joseph], who was sold [from a human perspective he was sold but from a divine perspective he was sent] for a servant [a slave]:

Note: What others intended as rejection, God used as preparation. Joseph was sold by men, but sent by God. God may send us into difficult places ahead of others so that He can use us to help them when they arrive.

105:18 Whose feet they hurt [to afflict, oppress, or cause suffering] with fetters [chains or shackles fastened around a prisoner’s ankles]: he was laid in iron [may indicate that Joseph was placed in an iron collar; may poetically describe how deeply the experience of imprisonment entered into his soul]:

Note: Joseph’s chains restrained his body, but they could not restrain God’s purpose for his life. God sometimes uses the places that confine us to prepare us for the places where He intends to use us.

105:19 Until [this word indicates that the prison was a season, not Joseph’s final destination; God was not merely preparing a place for Joseph; He was preparing Joseph for the place] the time [God had not forgotten Jospeh; imprisonment lasted until God’s appointed time] that his word came [most likely refers to Joseph’s prophetic dreams recorded in Genesis 37:5–11]: the word of the Lord tried [translates Hebrew tsaraph, a word used for refining metal in a furnace] him.

Note: Before God fulfilled His word through Joseph, He used that word to refine Joseph. God’s promises often test us before they become reality. While we wait for God’s word to be fulfilled, God uses the waiting to prepare us for its fulfillment.

105:20 [this verse marks the dramatic turning point in Joseph’s life] The king [Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt] sent [God had sent Joseph ahead of his family (Ps. 105:17); Pharaoh sent for Joseph when no one could interpret his dreams] and loosed him [to set free]; even the ruler of the people [the ruler of Egypt personally summoned him], and let him go free [in a single day, Joseph moved from prison to Pharaoh’s court; his circumstances changed suddenly; Joseph’s imprisonment lasted until the appointed time—not one day longer].

Note: Malicious human intent cannot frustrate the purpose of God. When God’s appointed time arrived, no prison, chain, accusation, or human authority could keep Joseph from the purpose God had prepared for him.

105:21 He made him [Pharaoh appointed Joseph to his position] lord [refers to one entrusted with authority, oversight, and responsibility] of his house [may include more than Pharaoh’s residence; likely refers to the royal household and governmental affairs entrusted to Joseph’s administration], and ruler of all his substance [delegated authority; Pharaoh retained the throne, while Joseph administered the kingdom under him]:

Note: God prepared Joseph through faithful service in small and difficult places before entrusting him with greater authority.

105:22 To bind [Joseph was granted authority over Pharaoh’s officials] his princes at his pleasure [means that he could exercise authority according to his judgment or will]; and teach [teaching or instructing them how to govern wisely during the approaching crisis] his senators [refers to Egypt’s elders, senior officials, or royal advisers] wisdom.

Note: God gives authority and influence not merely for personal advancement, but to serve others wisely and accomplish His redemptive purposes.

105:23 Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.

105:24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.

105:25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.

105:26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.

105:27 They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.

105:28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.

105:29 He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.

105:30 Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.

105:31 He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.

105:32 He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.

105:33 He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.

105:34 He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,

105:35 And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.

105:36 He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

105:37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.

105:38 Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.

105:39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.

105:40 The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

105:41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.

105:42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.

105:43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:

105:44 And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;

105:45 That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the Lord.