Bible Commentaries

This psalm, to Psalms 105:15, is the same as 1 Chronicles 16:8 : whence it is evident that David was the author. It celebrates the dealings of God with Israel, from the call of Abraham to their settlement in the promised land. The subjects referred to have been already considered. See 1 Chronicles 16.; and for the remainder of the psalm, see on Exodus 6:-10. It is not improbable, as supposed by some, that this psalm was enlarged and sung on the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity.

Psalms 105:19. Until the time that his word came. Until Joseph was divinely inspired to interpret the dreams of the chief baker and butler; and afterwards of Pharaoh. See Genesis 40. and 41.

Psalms 105:22. To bind, or to inform, his princes. Thus many of the Versions read; and it harmonizes the couplet.

Psalms 105:25. He turned their heart to hate his people. Diodati says in his learned commentary, “He suffered envy, groundless fears, and other evil affections to induce the Egyptians to hate the Israelites, as much as they had once loved them.” This is a uniform case in providence: when men dally with sin, and secretly cherish it in their hearts, God usually gives them up to it in his anger.

Psalms 105:28. He sent darkness—and they rebelled not against his word, which required them to be circumcised, about the time of this darkness which fell on the Egyptians, as stated in Exodus 10:23.

Psalms 105:39. He spread a cloud. This adds something to what is said of the cloudy pillar in Exodus 13., for it indicates that the cloud was large.

Psalms 105:41. They ran—like a river. The earthquake might contribute to the superabundance of the waters, by pressing in the superincumbent strata.

Psalms 105:45. Praise ye the Lord. Hebrews Hallelujah. Justin Martyr adds here, Praise ye with joy to God.

REFLECTIONS.

This psalm is a sort of Te Deum in the Hebrew church, surveying the care of providence over them from the calling of Abraham, till Joshua had divided the land by lot. From which we gather, that we are so to review past mercies as to trace the neverceasing care of providence; to learn to trust the Lord at all times, to enkindle the heart to devotion, and to learn future obedience from past errors. This is the true spirit in which we should read the sacred volume, and trace the steps of the divine economy.