ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Psalms 105

Psalm Ps. 105. Psalm 105 is a historical psalm, like Psalms 78 and 106. It is a celebration of God’s faithful dealings with his people. It particularly remembers episodes from the Pentateuch in which the people interacted with powerful foreigners who might have harmed them: Abimelech (Genesis 20), Potiphar (Genesis 39–41), and Pharaoh (Exodus 7–14). The tone of Psalm 105 is one of gratitude (vv. 1–6). Each member of the singing congregation should recognize that he has benefited from all these great deeds that God has done. Each one should embrace his calling to live as a member of God’s holy people (vv. 43–45). Verses 28–36 recount eight of the 10 plagues sent upon the Egyptians, leaving out the fifth and sixth (Ex. 9:1–12). The psalm mentions the ninth plague first (Ps. 105:28), and has the third and fourth in reverse order (v. 31). The psalm focuses on events in the Exodus story that display God’s faithfulness.

Ps. 105:1–6 The congregation is invited to celebrate what the Lord has done. Gratitude comes from remembering the wondrous works that the Lord has done, particularly those on behalf of his people, the offspring of Abraham (see Gen. 15:5; 13; 18; 17:7).

Ps. 105:1 call upon his name. An expression for seeking the Lord in public worship (see Gen. 4:26; 12:8).

Ps. 105:7–11 The next section describes in general what the Lord has done. He has displayed his judgments . . . in all the earth, and he “remembers his covenant forever.” The rest of the psalm will give specific examples to support this claim.

Ps. 105:8 remembers his covenant forever. For this expression, see 111:5; Ex. 2:24; Lev. 26:42; Jer. 14:21. For God remembering, see note on Ps. 25:6–7. a thousand generations. See Ex. 34:7 and Deut. 7:9; see note on Ps. 100:5.

Ps. 105:10 Everlasting covenant refers to the promise that Israel will possess the land and remain as God’s people (see Gen. 17:7, 19).

Ps. 105:12–15 God watches over his people. The first specific example of this comes from Genesis 20, when Abraham stayed in Gerar. When the king of Gerar took Sarah to be his wife, it would seem to have put at risk God’s promise to give Abraham a son from Sarah. But God protected the promise.

Ps. 105:15 anointed ones. God specially selected Abraham and his offspring to be his people.

Ps. 105:16–17 famine. See Gen. 41:57; 42:5. The psalm sees Joseph’s troubles with the eye of faith, saying that God had sent Joseph (see Gen. 45:5). Joseph was sold into slavery and rose to power in Egypt as an expression of God’s faithful care for his people during the famine.

Ps. 105:24–38 The next section recounts events from the book of Exodus, focusing on how God used Moses to lead the people out of Egypt, as he had promised (see Gen. 15:13–16).

Ps. 105:36 the firstborn. The tenth and climactic plague (Ex. 12:29–30). See also Ps. 78:51. For the “firstborn” as the firstfruits of all their strength, see Gen. 49:3 and Deut. 21:17.

Ps. 105:42–45 The final section rushes ahead from the events of Exodus to the time of Joshua, recalling that God remembered his holy promise to establish his people in the land.