Psalm 105: “How Faithful Thou Art!”
““He hath remembered his covenant for ever, 
the word which he commanded to a thousand generations”

Psalm 105 has an introduction that is a call to listen to the story of God’s faithfulness (105:1-6).  Then, there are seven historical sections recounting His faithfulness (105:7-44a).  The song ends with one grand word of praise to this “ever faithful one”: “Praise ye the LORD” (“Hallelujah”).

In the introductory section, the poet announces the need for mankind to learn the great story of God’s faithfulness in His words and works.  It is the responsibility of every generation to seek for and to learn the truth about the marvelous works of Jehovah.  But we frequently learn in the Bible that this is seldom done.  Judges 2:10 says; “When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel” (NKJV).  Those who learn this story are encouraged to give thanks, make His deeds known, sing, talk, give glory, rejoice, seek Him, and remember.  All of these things are in the introduction of the psalm.  The sections that follow tell the story—and what a story it is when viewed from the vantage point of this author!

In light of all that God has done, why shouldn’t people put out the efforts that the poet encourages?  The story—God’s story—is worth knowing, it is worth telling, and it deserves a response that includes reverence and obedience.

ONE: HE MADE A COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB (105:7-12).

God is the author of this covenant, which means that the covenant is good and that He will honor it.  The specific covenant is the one that was given to Abraham and renewed in succeeding generations.  The record of these things begins in Genesis 12.  It is important to note the words that are used here to refer to this covenant and how God made it clear that He was going to honor it. Here they are: oath, confirmed, everlasting, inheritance.  See Hebrews 6:13-20 for an explanation of this.  God confirmed His promise by an oath; which meant that “two immutable things” (oath and promise) were proof to Abraham and his heirs that God really meant it.  We should learn from the text in Hebrews that these things were meant to give hope to us, too!

God said this to them when they were “few men in number”—and they believed Him.  Let us learn from Him and let us learn from them.

TWO: HE PROTECTED THE PATRIARCH AND HIS FAMILY (105:13-15).

Here is a brief comment on the protection that the LORD gave the patriarchs during the middle chapters of Genesis.  They were not on their own—He did not make a promise and leave the implementation of it to them.  He stayed involved.  Sample stories of this protection are in Genesis 12, 20, and 26.  Smith says, “The patriarchs were regarded by God as his ‘anointed,’ i.e., men whose persons were sacred and inviolable.  They were regarded as ‘prophets’ because they were recipients of divine revelation” (The Wisdom Literature and Psalms, p.387).

THREE: HE PROTECTED JOSEPH (105:16-22).

The last section of Genesis (chapters 37-50) is the story of Joseph and the providence of God.  But it is connected with the covenant that has already been mentioned.  Thus, the life of Joseph, although very meaningful in itself, takes on greater significance in the context of the promise to Abraham.  The author of Psalm 105 uses it in this way, and emphasizes some things that can teach us about the “deeds” of God.  Let us learn from his inspired comments.  God used His abilities to set things up without violating the free will nature of the people who were involved (vv.16,17).  He allowed Joseph to suffer greatly (mentioning things that are not found in Genesis; v.18); God vindicated Joseph through His word (v.19); and He used Joseph by giving him a role in Egypt (vv.20-22).  In the longer account that is found in Genesis, we are reminded that the people who were involved in the events became aware of the fact that God’s providential will was being exercised to continue the process of keeping the promise to Abraham.

FOUR: HE INCREASED JACOB IN EGYPT (105:23-25).

As a result of the fact that God’s blessings for Jacob led to a great increase in Jacob, the attitude of the Egyptians changed.  Leupold says, 

“When the writer ascribes to God the hatred that the governing nation had for the sojourners, that is a strong statement of the overuling governance of God.  Their treachery is traced to the same source.  Perhaps the safest statement of the case is that of Kirkpatrick who words it thus: ‘The psalmist does not shrink from attributing the hostility of the Egyptians to God's agency, because it was due to the blessings which He bestowed upon Israel; and inasmuch as it led to the Exodus, it was the link in the chain of God’s action.’  It was certainly far removed from the thinking of the psalmist to make God the author and source of the wrong that men did” (Exposition of the Psalms, pp. 738,739).

FIVE: HE PUNISHED EGYPT THROUGH MOSES AND AARON (26-36).

This section has some interesting features regarding the listing of the ten plagues that came upon Egypt.  They are given in the following order: 9, 1, 2, 4, 3, 7, 8, 10 (5 and 6 are not mentioned).  No reason for this order is given, and I do not believe that we need to look for one.  The point is God’s judgment upon Egypt.  That story can be told in any number of ways, as we learn here. But the story has the same message:  no one would be allowed to thwart God’s promise to Abraham, so let us say, “Praise ye the LORD.”  It is fine for us to learn the plagues in order, to learn about their significance as they relate to the gods of Egypt, etc.—but that is not why they are in the Bible!  They are in the Bible to remind us of the things that are in the first 6 verses of Psalm 105!  So, let us be certain to remember them for the reason(s) given by the Holy Spirit.

SIX: HE BLESSED ISRAEL IN THE WILDERNESS (105:37-41).

God blessed them with the spoils of the Egyptians (v.37; see Exodus 12:35,36).  He blessed them with a departure from people who were glad to see them go (v.38).  He blessed them with guidance, protection, and light by day and night (v.39; see Exodus 13:21,22).  He blessed them with food (v.40; see Exodus 16).  And He blessed them with water (v.41; see Exodus 17).  The fuller story in Exodus includes the complaints and murmurings of the people, but the design of Psalm 105 is to tell the story of God’s wondrous works—and they are all wonderful, no matter what we think or do about them!  So, do not read this section too quickly, and do not pass over the list of your daily blessings thoughtlessly.  The blessings you have are from Him—how are you using them?  Better yet—how are you treating Him??

SEVEN: HE KEPT THE LAND PROMISE TO ABRAHAM (105:42-45a).

God’s bringing the people out of centuries of bondage had one or more objects—He had Canaan in mind for them.  This section reminds us of that.  They were often unwilling, even before they got out, to keep their minds set on that great inheritance (see Colossians 3:1-4 for a personal application to your own situation).  He gave them victories from Egypt to Canaan’s border—and then He gave them Canaan!  But He had another object in mind—He did all of this “that they might be faithful to His statutes and diligently keep His laws” (v. 45a; Berkeley Version).  What more motivation can any person need that to understand and appreciate “the deeds of God”?
 

Hallelujah!  Praise ye the LORD!
 
 

SICK LIST: Cleah Boaz received very good news after her angiogram—there is no aneurysm.  We rejoice with Cleah and Paul and are thankful our prayers were answered this way.  Tim Weekley’s mother is recovering from colon surgery.  Jewell Graves and Jan Shifley have been “under the weather” this past week.  Let’s remember those who are ill and their families in our prayers.

PLANTATION SOUTH:  Group 1 is in charge of services today at 1:30.  John Grubb will be speaking this quarter.

FOR THE RECORD:        9/22        9/29
Sunday Class                      153         138
Sunday AM Worship          164         167
Sunday PM Worship          137         127
Wednesday Class               145         148
Contribution                   $4420      $4275

WEEKLY LADIES’ CLASS:  The class meets Tuesday at 10:00 and is studying  the book of Joshua.  Mary Jones is the teacher.

ELDERS’ MEETING:  The elders will meet at 4:00 Sunday, October 13. If you would like to discuss anything with them, please contact Skip Andrews for an appointment.

GOSPEL MEETING:  Our gospel meeting with James Boyd begins Sunday, October 20.  Please plan to attend all the services and invite your friends.  We are planning a covered dish dinner Sunday following morning services.  Group 2 will host.  Monday-Thursday evening meals will be provided by the food groups.

WELCOME BLACKWELLS:  Don and Sheri Blackwell and children have moved!  We welcome them to the family at Duluth.  Don is joining the Truth for the World team as the speaker for the radio and television programs.  We are excited to have the Blackwells here  (although they will be returning to North Carolina for him to speak there a couple of more weeks).