Psa 105:1-7 | Clarke | e4.org | PSALM CV An exhortation to praise God for his wondrous works , 1-5; his goodness to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob , 6-16; to Joseph in Egypt , 17-22; to Israel in Egypt , 23-25; to Moses in the same land , 26; the plagues sent on the Egyptians , 27-36; the deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt , 37, 38; how he supported them in the wilderness , 39-43; and brought them into Canaan , 44, 45. NOTES ON PSALM CV We find several verses of this Psalm in &c., from which it is evident that David was the author of the principal part of it: but it was probably enlarged and sung at the restoration of the people from the Babylonish captivity. The hallelujah which terminates the preceding Psalm, is made the title of this by the Vulgate, Septuagint, AEthiopic , and Arabic : but it has no title either in the Hebrew or Chaldee . The Syriac considers it a paraphrase on the words, "Fear not, Jacob, to go down into Egypt; and teach us spiritually not to fear when we are obliged to contend with devils; for God is our shield, and will fight for us." The Psalm is a history of God's dealings with Abraham and his posterity, till their settlement in the promised land. Verse 1. O give thanks ] He had been meditating on God's gracious dealings with their fathers; and he calls upon himself and all others to magnify God for his mercies.

‏ Psalms 105:1-7

PSALM CV

An exhortation to praise God for his wondrous works, 1-5;

his goodness to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, 6-16;

to Joseph in Egypt, 17-22;

to Israel in Egypt, 23-25;

to Moses in the same land, 26;

the plagues sent on the Egyptians, 27-36;

the deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt, 37, 38;

how he supported them in the wilderness, 39-43;

and brought them into Canaan, 44, 45.

NOTES ON PSALM CV

We find several verses of this Psalm in 1Ch 16:7-14 &c., from which it is evident that David was the author of the principal part of it: but it was probably enlarged and sung at the restoration of the people from the Babylonish captivity. The hallelujah which terminates the preceding Psalm, is made the title of this by the Vulgate, Septuagint, AEthiopic, and Arabic: but it has no title either in the Hebrew or Chaldee. The Syriac considers it a paraphrase on the words, "Fear not, Jacob, to go down into Egypt; and teach us spiritually not to fear when we are obliged to contend with devils; for God is our shield, and will fight for us." The Psalm is a history of God's dealings with Abraham and his posterity, till their settlement in the promised land.

Verse 1. O give thanks] He had been meditating on God's gracious dealings with their fathers; and he calls upon himself and all others to magnify God for his mercies.

Verse 2. Talk ye of all his wondrous works.]

niphleothaiv, "of his miracles." Who have so many of these to boast of as Christians! Christianity is a tissue of miracles; and every part of the work of grace on the soul is a miracle. Genuine Christian converts may talk of miracles from morning to night; and they should talk of them, and recommend to others their miracle-working God and Saviour.

Verse 3. Glory ye in his holy name] Show the name Jesus: exult in it-praise it. His name was called Jesus; because he came to save his people from their sins.

Let the heart of them rejoice] That is, the heart of those shall rejoice who seek the Lord: therefore it is added,-

Verse 4. Seek the Lord] Worship the one only Supreme Being, as the only and all-sufficient good for the soul of man.

And his strength] Man is weak; and needs connexion with the strong God that he may be enabled to avoid evil and do good.

Seek his face] Reconciliation to him. Live not without a sense of his favour.

Evermore.] Let this be thy chief business. In and above all thy seeking, seek this.

Verse 5. Remember his marvellous works] Keep up communion with thy Maker, that thou mayest neither forget him nor his works.

The judgments of his mouth] Whatsoever he has spoken concerning good or evil. His commands, promises, threatenings; and particularly what he has foretold, and what he has done.

Verse 6. O ye seed of Abraham] Ye Jews especially, who have been the peculiar objects of the Divine favour.

Verse 7. He is the Lord our God] He is Jehovah, the self-existent and eternal God. He is our God, he is our portion; has taken us for his people, and makes us happy in his love.

The following abstract of the history of the Israelites presents but few difficulties. See Clarke on Ps 78:1, &c.