David's Psalm 105: A Historical and Theological Overview
Psalm 105 is a hymn of praise that recounts God's faithfulness to Israel, particularly through the Abrahamic covenant [10]. The psalm begins with an exhortation to "O give thanks unto the Lord" (Psalm 105:1 KJV), calling the people to celebrate God's greatness and goodness [9]. This opening aligns with other psalms that begin and end with praise, emphasizing the continuous obligation to give thanks despite suffering or sin [7].
The psalm's historical scope covers the journey of Israel from the calling of Abraham to their settlement in Canaan [8, 10]. It details God's care for their ancestors, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their experiences in Egypt, the wilderness, and finally, their inheritance of the promised land [6, 10]. The narrative highlights God's promise to Abraham (Psalm 105:9, 42) as the foundation for Israel's existence [10]. For instance, Psalm 105:8 states, "He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations" (KJV), a verse cross-referenced with God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in Genesis and Deuteronomy [1].
A significant portion of Psalm 105 (verses 1-15) is also found in David's song of praise recorded in 1 Chronicles 16, which was sung when the ark was brought to Jerusalem [6, 10]. This connection suggests the psalm's early use in Israelite worship and its association with significant historical events. The psalm emphasizes God's enduring goodness and mercy, themes also found in Psalms 100:5 and 106:1 [2, 3]. The historical accounts within the psalms, however, are not always presented in strict chronological order, as noted by early Christian writers like Hippolytus [11].
The psalm encourages Israel to remember God's works, wonders, and judgments (Psalm 105:5) [5]. It serves as a reminder that God's gracious dealings with His people were intended to lead them to obedience [8]. The deliverance of Israel from Egypt "with joy, and his chosen with gladness" (Psalm 105:43 KJV) is presented as a fulfillment of God's promise and a demonstration of His power [4].
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Psalms 105:8 cross-references: Genesis 17:7, Genesis 26:3, Exodus 2:24, Deuteronomy 7:8, Deuteronomy 7:9, Deuteronomy 7:12, Joshua 21:43, 1 Chronicles 16:15, Nehemiah 1:5, Psalms 105:42, Psalms 106:45, Psalms 111:5, Psalms 111:9, Jeremiah 11:5, Daniel 9:4, Micah 7:20, Luke 1:72”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Psalms 100:5 cross-references: Exodus 34:6, Deuteronomy 7:9, 1 Chronicles 16:34, 2 Chronicles 5:13, Ezra 3:11, Psalms 25:8, Psalms 36:5, Psalms 52:1, Psalms 85:10, Psalms 86:5, Psalms 89:1, Psalms 103:17, Psalms 106:1, Psalms 107:1, Psalms 107:8, Psalms 107:15, Psalms 107:22, Psalms 118:1, Psalms 118:4, Psalms 119:68, Psalms 119:90, Psalms 136:1, Psalms 138:8, Psalms 146:6, Jeremiah 33:11, Jeremiah 33:20, Micah 7:20, Nahum 1:7, Luke 1:50, Romans 15:8, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:13”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Psalms 106:1 cross-references: 1 Chronicles 16:34, 1 Chronicles 16:41, Ezra 3:11, Psalms 100:4, Psalms 100:5, Psalms 103:17, Psalms 105:1, Psalms 105:45, Psalms 107:1, Psalms 118:1, Psalms 119:68, Psalms 135:3, Psalms 136:1, Jeremiah 33:11, Matthew 19:17, Romans 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:18”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Psalms 105:43 cross-references: Genesis 15:16, Exodus 14:8, Exodus 15:1, Deuteronomy 4:37, Joshua 24:5, Judges 6:9, Psalms 78:52, Psalms 105:6, Psalms 106:5, Psalms 106:8, Isaiah 35:10, Isaiah 51:10, Isaiah 55:12, Isaiah 63:11, Jeremiah 31:11, Acts 7:36, Acts 13:17”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Psalms 145:5 cross-references: Genesis 24:63, Deuteronomy 32:3, 1 Chronicles 16:9, Psalms 40:9, Psalms 66:3, Psalms 71:17, Psalms 71:24, Psalms 72:18, Psalms 96:3, Psalms 104:1, Psalms 105:2, Psalms 111:3, Psalms 119:27, Isaiah 12:4, Daniel 4:1, Daniel 4:37”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 105 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 105 This psalm was penned by David, and sung at the time when the ark was brought from the house of Obededom to the place which David had prepared for it; at least the first fifteen verses of it, the other part being probably added afterwards by the same inspired penman, as appears from Ch1 16:1. The subject matter of the psalm is the special and distinguishing goodness of God to the children of Israel, and to his church and people, of which they were typical: the history of God's regard to and care of their principal ancestors, A”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 105 (introduction): This Psalm gives a detailed confession of the sins of Israel in all periods of their history, with special reference to the terms of the covenant as intimated (Psa 105:45). It is introduced by praise to God for the wonders of His mercy, and concluded by a supplication for His favor to His afflicted people, and a doxology. (Psa. 106:1-48) Praise, &c.--(See on Psa 104:35), begins and ends the Psalm, intimating the obligations of praise, however we sin and suffer Ch1 16:34-36 is the source from which the beginning and end of this Psalm are ”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 104 (introduction): After an exhortation to praise God, addressed especially to the chosen people, the writer presents the special reason for praise, in a summary of their history from the calling of Abraham to their settlement in Canaan, and reminds them that their obedience was the end of all God's gracious dealings. (Psa. 105:1-45) call . . . name-- (Psa 79:6; Rom 10:13). Call on Him, according to His historically manifested glory. After the example of Abraham, who, as often as God acquired for Himself a name in guiding him, called in solemn worship upon”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 105:1: O give thanks unto the Lord,.... These are the words of David, either to the singers, or rather to the whole congregation of Israel, the seed of Abraham, and children of Jacob, Psa 105:6 stirring them up to praise and thankfulness for their mercies, temporal and spiritual; for the Messiah they had hope and expectation of, typified by the ark now brought home; for the word and ordinances, and opportunities of waiting upon God in them; for heaven and happiness, figured by Canaan's land given them to enjoy. Or, "confess or celebrate the Lord" (x); his greatness and good”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 105:1: Ps 105 This hymn praises the Lord’s faithfulness to Abraham and his descendants in all their journeys—from Ur to Canaan (105:12), to Egypt (105:17, 23), through the wilderness (105:37, 41), and back to Canaan (105:44). All of this fulfilled the Lord’s promise to Abraham (105:9, 42), which was the basis for Israel’s very existence. Joseph, whose suffering was changed into glory, is a paradigm of encouragement for Israel (105:16-25). • Psalm 105:1-15 (along with 96; 106:1, 47-48) is included in David’s song of praise recorded in 1 Chr 16. 105:1-5 The poet begins wi”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 5: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian — ON THE PSALMS.(1) I. (part 4): already said, to do this in the case of each, and to find out the reasons, is very difficult, and too much for human nature to accomplish, we shall content ourselves with these things by way of an outline. Only let us add this, that the psalms which deal with historical matter are not found in regular historical order. And the only reason for this is to be found in the numbers according to which the psalms are arranged. For instance, the history in the fifty-first is antecedent to the history in the fiftieth. For ”