89 lines
15 KiB
HTML
89 lines
15 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
|
|
<head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script type="text/javascript">
|
|
PriorBook = 'Job';
|
|
PriorBookURL = './Comm/jfb/Job/Job000.html';
|
|
PriorChapter = 'Psalm 104';
|
|
PriorChapterURL = './Comm/jfb/Psa/Psa104.html';
|
|
NextBook = 'Proverbs';
|
|
NextBookURL = './Comm/jfb/Pro/Pro000.html';
|
|
NextChapter = 'Psalm 106';
|
|
NextChapterURL = './Comm/jfb/Psa/Psa106.html';
|
|
Title = 'The Book of Psalms';
|
|
SubTitle1 = 'Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET';
|
|
SubTitle2 = '';
|
|
SubTitle3 = 'PSALM 105';
|
|
SubTitle3Cased = 'Psalm 105';
|
|
Author = ' Jamieson, Fausset & Brown';
|
|
imageMasthead = 'jfb.gif';
|
|
authorCite = 'Robert Jamieson; A.R. Fausset; and David Brown';
|
|
</script>
|
|
<script src="./js/Comms/JFB.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
</head><body>
|
|
|
|
<p id="Chapter105" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>PSALM 105
|
|
<p id="Ps105_1"><a onclick="return mV('Psa',105,'1-45');">Psa 105:1-45</a>.
|
|
<p>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.
|
|
<p><b>1. call...name</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',79,6);">Psa 79:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',10,13);">Rom 10:13</a>). 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, <i>called</i> in solemn worship upon the name of the Lord (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',12,8);">Gen 12:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',13,4);">13:4</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>among the people</b>—or, "peoples" (<a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Psa',18,49);">Psa 18:49</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>deeds</b>—or, "wonders" (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',103,7);">Psa 103:7</a>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_3"><b>3, 4.</b> Seeking God's favor is the only true mode of getting true happiness, and <i>His strength</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',105,4);">Psa 105:4</a>) is the only true source of protection (compare <a onclick="return mV('Psa',32,11);">Psa 32:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',40,16);">40:16</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>Glory...name</b>—boast in His perfections. The world glories in its horses and chariots against the Church of God lying in the dust; but <i>our</i> hope is in the name, that is, the power and love of God to His people, manifested in past deliverances.
|
|
<p id="Ps105_5"><b>5, 6. judgments...mouth</b>—His judicial decisions for the good and against the wicked.
|
|
<p id="Ps105_6"><b>6. chosen</b>—rather qualifies "children" than "Jacob," as a plural.
|
|
<p id="Ps105_7"><b>7.</b> Rather, "He, Jehovah, is our God." His title, "JEHOVAH," implies that He, the unchangeable, self-existing Being, makes things to be, that is, fulfils His promises, and therefore will not forsake His people. Though specially of His people, He is God over all.
|
|
<p id="Ps105_8"><b>8-11.</b> The covenant was often ratified.
|
|
<br><br><b>word</b>—answering to "covenant" (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',105,9);">Psa 105:9</a>) in the parallel clause, namely, the word of promise, which, according to <a onclick="return mV('Psa',105,10);">Psa 105:10</a>, He set forth for an inviolable law.
|
|
<br><br><b>commanded</b>—or, "ordained" (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',68,28);">Psa 68:28</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>to a thousand generations</b>—perpetually. A verbal allusion to <a onclick="return mV('Deu',7,9);">Deu 7:9</a> (compare <a onclick="return mV('Exd',20,6);">Exd 20:6</a>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_9"><b>9. Which covenant</b>—or, "Word" (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',105,8);">Psa 105:8</a>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_10"><b>10, 11.</b> Alluding to God's promise to Jacob (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',28,13);">Gen 28:13</a>). Out of the whole storehouse of the promises of God, only one is prominently brought forward, namely, that concerning the possession of Canaan (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',105,11);">Psa 105:11</a>). Everything revolves around this. The wonders and judgments have all for their ultimate design the fulfilment of this promise.
|
|
<p id="Ps105_12"><b>12-15. few...in number</b>—alluding to Jacob's words (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',34,30);">Gen 34:30</a>), "I being <i>few in number.</i>"
|
|
<br><br><b>yea, very few</b>—literally, "as a few," that is, like fewness itself (compare <a onclick="return mV('Isa',1,9);">Isa 1:9</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>strangers</b>—sojourners in the land of their future inheritance, as in a strange country (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',11,9);">Hbr 11:9</a>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_13"><b>13. from one nation to another</b>—and so from danger to danger; now in Egypt, now in the wilderness, and lastly in Canaan. Though a few strangers, wandering among various nations, God protected them.
|
|
<p id="Ps105_14"><b>14. reproved kings</b>—Pharaoh of Egypt and Abimelech of Gerar (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',12,17);">Gen 12:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',20,3);">20:3</a>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_15"><b>15. Touch not</b>—referring to <a onclick="return mV('Gen',26,11);">Gen 26:11</a>, where Abimelech says of Isaac, "He that <i>toucheth</i> this man or his wife shall surely be put to death."
|
|
<br><br><b>mine anointed</b>—as specially consecrated to Me (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',2,2);">Psa 2:2</a>). The patriarch was the prophet, priest, and king of his family.
|
|
<br><br><b>my prophets</b>—in a similar sense, compare <a onclick="return mV('Gen',20,7);">Gen 20:7</a>. The "anointed" are those vessels of God, consecrated to His service, "in whom (as Pharaoh said of Joseph, <a onclick="return mV('Gen',41,38);">Gen 41:38</a>) the Spirit of God is" [HENGSTENBERG].
|
|
<p id="Ps105_16"><b>16.</b> God ordered the famine. God
|
|
<br><br><b>called for a famine</b>—as if it were a <i>servant,</i> ready to come at God's bidding. Compare the centurion's words, as to disease being God's servant (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',8,8,9);">Mat 8:8-9</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>upon the land</b>—namely, Canaan (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',41,54);">Gen 41:54</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>staff of bread</b>—what supports life (<a onclick="return mV('Lev',26,26);">Lev 26:26</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',104,15);">Psa 104:15</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',3,1);">Isa 3:1</a>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_17"><b>17-21.</b> Joseph was sent of God (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',45,5);">Gen 45:5</a>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_18"><b>18. hurt with fetters</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',40,3);">Gen 40:3</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>was laid in iron</b>—literally, "his soul" (see on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Psa/Psa016.html#Ps16_10">Psa 16:10</a>), or, "he came into iron," or, he was bound to his grief (compare <a onclick="return mV('Psa',3,2);">Psa 3:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',11,1);">11:1</a>). The "soul" is put for the whole person, because the soul of the captive suffers still more than the body. Joseph is referred to as being an appropriate type of those "bound in affliction and iron" (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',107,10);">Psa 107:10</a>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_19"><b>19. his word came</b>—His prophecy (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',41,'11-20');">Gen 41:11-20</a>) to the officers came to pass, or was fulfilled (<a onclick="return mV('Jdg',13,12,17);">Jdg 13:12, 17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Sa',9,6);">1Sa 9:6</a>, explain the form of speech).
|
|
<br><br><b>the word of the Lord</b>—or, "saying," or "decree of the Lord."
|
|
<br><br><b>tried him</b>—or, "proved him," by the afflictions it appointed him to endure before his elevation (compare <a onclick="return mV('Gen',41,'40-43');">Gen 41:40-43</a>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_22"><b>22. To bind</b>—Not literally <i>bind;</i> but <i>exercise over them absolute control,</i> as the parallel in the second clause shows; also <a onclick="return mV('Gen',41,40,44);">Gen 41:40, 44</a> in which not literal <i>fettering,</i> but <i>commanding obedience,</i> is spoken of. It refers to <a onclick="return mV('Psa',105,18);">Psa 105:18</a>. The soul that was once <i>bound</i> itself now <i>binds</i> others, even princes. The same moral <i>binding</i> is assigned to the saints (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',149,8);">Psa 149:8</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>teach...senators wisdom</b>—the ground of his exaltation by Pharaoh was his <i>wisdom</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',41,39);">Gen 41:39</a>); namely, in state policy, and ordering well a kingdom.
|
|
<p id="Ps105_23"><b>23-25. Israel...and Jacob</b>—that is, Jacob himself is meant, as <a onclick="return mV('Psa',105,24);">Psa 105:24</a> speaks of "his people." Still, he came with his whole house (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',46,6,7);">Gen 46:6-7</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>sojourned</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',47,4);">Gen 47:4</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>land of Ham</b>—or, Egypt (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',78,51);">Psa 78:51</a>).
|
|
|
|
<p id="Ps105_25"><b>25. turned their heart</b>—God controls men's free acts (compare <a onclick="return mV('1Sa',10,9);">1Sa 10:9</a>). "When Saul had turned his back to go from (God's prophet) Samuel, God <i>turned</i> (<i>Margin</i>) him another heart" (see <a onclick="return mV('Exd',1,8);">Exd 1:8</a>, etc.). Whatever evil the wicked man plots against God's people, God holds bound even his heart, so as not to lay a single plan except what God permits. Thus Isaiah (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',43,17);">Isa 43:17</a>) says it was <i>God</i> who <i>brought forth the army</i> of Pharaoh to pursue Israel to their own destruction (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',4,21);">Exd 4:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Exd',7,3);">7:3</a>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_26"><b>26. Moses...chosen</b>—both what they were by divine choice (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',78,70);">Psa 78:70</a>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_27"><b>27. signs</b>—literally, "words of signs," or rather, as "words" in <i>Hebrew</i> means "things," "things of His signs," that is, His marvellous tokens of power (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',145,5);">Psa 145:5</a>, <i>Margin</i>). Compare the same Hebraism (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',65,3);">Psa 65:3</a>, <i>Margin</i>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_28"><b>28-36.</b> The ninth plague is made prominent as peculiarly wonderful.
|
|
<br><br><b>they rebelled not</b>—Moses and Aaron promptly obeyed God (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',11,27);">Hbr 11:27</a>); (compare <a onclick="return mV('Exd',7,'1-');">Exd 7:1-11:10</a> , with which this summary substantially agrees). Or, rather, the "darkness" here is figurative (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',13,16);">Jer 13:16</a>), the literal plague of darkness (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',10,22,23);">Exd 10:22-23</a>) being only <i>alluded</i> to as the symbol of God's wrath which overhung Egypt as a dark cloud during all the plagues. Hence, it is placed first, out of the historical order. Thus, "They rebelled not (that is, no longer) against His word," refers to <i>the Egyptians.</i> Whenever God sent a plague on them, <i>they were ready to let Israel go,</i> though refusing when the plague ceased.
|
|
<br><br><b>his word</b>—His command to let Israel go [HENGSTENBERG]. Of the ten plagues, only eight are mentioned, the fifth, the murrain of beasts, and the sixth, the boils, being omitted.
|
|
<p id="Ps105_29"><b>29-31.</b> He deprived them of their favorite "fish," and gave them instead, (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',105,30);">Psa 105:30</a>) out of the water, loathsome "frogs," and (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',105,31);">Psa 105:31</a>) upon their land tormenting "flies" (the dog-fly, according to MAURER) and "lice" (gnats, according to HENGSTENBERG).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_32"><b>32. gave them</b>—referring to <a onclick="return mV('Lev',26,4);">Lev 26:4</a>. "I <i>give</i> you rain in due season." His "gift" to Israel's foes is one of a very different kind from that bestowed on His people.
|
|
<br><br><b>hail for rain</b>—instead of fertilizing showers, hail destructive to trees. This forms the transition to the vegetable kingdom. The locusts in <a onclick="return mV('Psa',105,34);">Psa 105:34</a> similarly are destructive to plants.
|
|
<p id="Ps105_33"><b>33. their coasts</b>—all their land (<a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Psa',78,54);">Psa 78:54</a>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_34"><b>34. caterpillars</b>—literally, "the lickers up," devouring insects; probably the hairy-winged locust.
|
|
<p id="Ps105_36"><b>36. the chief</b>—literally, "the firstlings." The ascending climax passes from the food of man to man himself. The language here is quoted from <a onclick="return mV('Psa',78,51);">Psa 78:51</a>.
|
|
<p id="Ps105_37"><b>37. with silver and gold</b>—<i>presented</i> them by the Egyptians, as an acknowledgment due for their labors in their bondage (compare <a onclick="return mV('Exd',12,35);">Exd 12:35</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>one feeble person</b>—or, "stumbler," unfit for the line of march. Compare "harnessed," that is, accoutred and marshalled as an army on march (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',13,18);">Exd 13:18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',5,27);">Isa 5:27</a>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_38"><b>38.</b> (Compare <a onclick="return mV('Exd',12,33);">Exd 12:33</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',11,25);">Deu 11:25</a>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_39"><b>39. covering</b>—in sense of protection (compare <a onclick="return mV('Exd',13,21);">Exd 13:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Num',10,34);">Num 10:34</a>). In the burning sands of the desert the cloud protected the congregation from the heat of the sun; an emblem of God's protecting favor of His people, as interpreted by Isaiah (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',4,5,6);">Isa 4:5-6</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Num',9,16);">Num 9:16</a>).
|
|
<p id="Ps105_42"><b>42-45.</b> The reasons for these dealings: (1) God's faithfulness to His covenant, "His holy promise" of Canaan, is the fountain whence flowed so many acts of marvellous kindness to His people (compare <a onclick="return mV('Psa',105,8,11);">Psa 105:8, 11</a>). <a onclick="return mV('Exd',2,24);">Exd 2:24</a> is the fundamental passage [HENGSTENBERG]. (2) That they might be obedient. The observance of God's commands by Abraham was the object of the covenant with him (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',18,19);">Gen 18:19</a>), as it was also the object of the covenant with Israel, that they might observe God's statutes.
|
|
<br><br><b>remembered...and Abraham</b>—or, "remembered His holy word (that is, covenant confirmed) <i>with</i> Abraham."
|
|
<p id="Ps105_44"><b>44. inherited the labour</b>—that is, the fruits of their labor; their corn and vineyards (<a onclick="return mV('Jos',21,'43-45');">Jos 21:43-45</a>).
|
|
</div></div><div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a></div>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script> |