Bible Commentaries
Psalms 105

Verse 1

For circumstances see note on 1 Chronicles 16:7 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

name. See note on Psalms 20:1 .

people = peoples.

Verse 3

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

Verse 4

face. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia .

evermore = at all times, or continually.

Verse 5

that = which.

wonders: i.e. the miracles in Egypt.

judgments = just decisions (given at Sinai).

Verse 6

Abraham. Some codices read Israel. Compare 1 Chronicles 16:13 .

servant. Septuagint and Syriac read plural, "servants".

children =. sons.

Verse 7

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 8

word = promise, as in Psalms 105:42 .

Verse 9

made = solemnized.

Abraham. Compare Genesis 12:7 ; Genesis 15:18 ; Genesis 13:14-17 .

Isaac. Compare Genesis 26:3 , Genesis 26:4 .

Verse 10

confirmed = [He] established.

Jacob. Compare Genesis 28:13 ; Genesis 35:12 ; Genesis 48:1-4 . See note on Genesis 50:24 ; compare Micah 7:20 , and Hebrews 11:13 .

Israel: i.e. the spiritual seed; in contrast with Jacob, the natural seed. See notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 .

everlasting covenant. See notes on Genesis 9:15 , and Isaiah 44:7 .

Verse 11

The lot = measuring line. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the inheritance measured off by it.

Verse 12

they. Some codices, with Aram, and Syriac, read "ye": i.e. not the three Patriarchs, but the descendants of each one respectively.

few men in number = men (Hebrew. methim. App-14 . V) of number: i.e. soon numbered (see note on "almost", Proverbs 5:14 ). Compare Genesis 34:30 . Deuteronomy 4:27 ; Deuteronomy 26:5 .Jeremiah 44:28 . (The opposite is "without number", Psalms 40:12 .) This could not be said of the Patriarchs.

Verse 13

When they went. Compare Psalms 105:23 .

Verse 14

man. Hebrew ' adam . App-14 .

Verse 15

prophets: i.e. those who were men of God, and His spokesmen. Abraham so called (Genesis 20:7 ). See App-49 .

Verse 17

sent = had sent.

man. Hebrew. 'ish.

them = their face.

Even Joseph. Compare Genesis 37:28 .

Verse 18

Whose feet. Figure of speech Hysteresis. App-6 . Further particulars Divinely revealed.

He = His soul. Hebrew. nephesh.

iron. Put by Figure of speech Metonomy (of Cause), for manacles made from it.

Verse 19

his word: i.e. Joseph's word: i.e. his interpretation of the dreams.

came: came to pass. Compare Judges 7:13 , Judges 7:21 . 1 Samuel 9:6 .

word = utterance, as in Psalms 119:38 = what is said; here, the prophetic promise.

tried = proved: i.e. proved his faith in the Divine promise (Genesis 37:5-11 ).

Verse 20

The king sent. Compare Genesis 41:14 , Genesis 41:39 , Genesis 41:40 , Genesis 41:44 .

the people = peoples.

Verse 22

at his pleasure = according to his soul (i.e. his will). Hebrew. nephesh.

senators = elders.

Verse 23

Israel also came = So Israel came. Compare Psalms 105:13 and Genesis 46:1 .

Verse 24

enemies = adversaries.

Verse 25

He turned. Compare Exodus 1:10 ; Exodus 4:21 .

Verse 26

Moses. Compare Psalms 105:17 above, and the Structure. See Exodus 3:10 .

Verse 27

They. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read "He". Compare Psalms 78:43 .

His signs = The words of His signs.

land of Ham: i.e. Egypt. Compare Psalms 78:51 ; Psalms 106:22 .

Verse 28

darkness. This was the ninth plague (Exodus 10:21 ). All are not mentioned, not being needed. This is put first for the purpose implied in the next line.

they rebelled not: i.e. Israel did not rebel against the command for circumcision. According to Exodus 12:48 , no uncircumcised person could eat the Passover. This is implied in Joshua 5:2 by the expression, the "second time".

Verse 30

brought forth = swarmed with.

In. Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ) = "[and they entered] into".

Verse 31

And = [And there came]. coasts = borders, or boundaries.

Verse 33

trees of their coasts = boundary trees.

Verse 36

chief = firstlings.

strength. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 , for those produced by their strength or manly vigour.

Verse 37

their = his: i.e. Israel's (or Jehovah's).

Verse 38

Egypt. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 . for Egyptians; the People (rnasc), not "Land" ( fem .)

Verse 42

promise. Same word as in Psalms 105:8 , "word".

Verse 43

And His chosen. Pl = Even His chosen [People],

Verse 44

gave. Compare Psalms 105:11 , "will I give", and see Structure.

the heathen = nations.

labour. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for that which is produced by it.

people = peoples.

Verse 45

Praise ye THE LORD. Hebrew Hallelujah = Praise ye Jah.