Bible Commentaries
Psalms 105

Verses 1-45

CV. Hebrew History from Abraham to Joshua.

Psalms 105:1-6 . Introductory. An invitation to praise God.

Psalms 105:7-11 . The covenant and promise of Canaan.

Psalms 105:12-25 . Yahweh’ s kindness to the Patriarchs.

Psalms 105:12 . number: read perhaps, “ Canaan.”

Psalms 105:14 . kings: notably Pharaoh and Abimelech of Gerar.

Psalms 105:15 . “ mine anointed ones,” i.e. the Patriarchs who were great princes ( cf. Genesis 23:6).

Psalms 105:22 . bind: read “ admonish” (LXX).

Psalms 105:22 b possibly refers to the belief held by Philo and other Jews, that the wisdom of the Gentiles was stolen from the Jews.

Psalms 105:23 . Ham: i.e. Egypt. Egypt (Mizraim) was a son of Ham ( Genesis 10:6), and the native name was Kham, i.e. “ black,” with reference to the colour of the soil.

Psalms 105:26-41 . The marvels of the Exodus and the Wanderings.

Psalms 105:28 b. This contradicts, as it stands, the writer’ s evident meaning; read, “ But they did not observe his words.”

Psalms 105:42-45 . The poet recurs to the thought of the Covenant.