Salmos 105
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 105
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS Psalm 105 and Psalm 106 form a theological unit. Just an added thought, modern Bible interpreters really do not know why, how, or when the Psalms were edited and by whom. This is true for all the Hebrew Bible. The process has been lost to us. So, it must be admitted that many presuppositions and speculations drive modern theories of the process of canonization. I surely and completely affirm the inspiration of the Scriptures (see five videos at THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF SCRIPTURE, but also accept the Jews' understanding of their canon and the early church's decisions on which books to include. See SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION and the Bible Interpretation Seminar Textbook, "The Bible, I. "Canon," p. 19, online at BIBLE INTERPRETATION SEMINAR TEXTBOOK. Psalm 105 describes God's acts of love and grace in the life of the covenant people. initial call to the Patriarchs, Ps. 105:1-7 Patriarchs' journey to Canaan, Ps. 105:8-15 Patriarch (Jacob) to Egypt, Ps. 105:16-24 Israel from Egypt, Ps. 105:25-36 Israel to Canaan, Ps. 105:37-45 Psalm 106 describes the disgrace of Israel's rebellious response. There are many similarities with this Psalm and 1 Chronicles 16:7-46.
Salmos 105:1-7
105:1-7 This Psalm and this strophe highlight YHWH's special call and relationship with Abraham and his descendants. YHWH acted in powerful, purposeful ways to accomplish His revelation through this one family (see SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS). This Psalm uses several terms to describe these acts. His deeds, Ps. 105:1 ‒ BDB 760, cf. 1 Chr. 16:8; Ps. 9:11; 66:5; 77:13; 78:11; 103:7; Isa. 12:4 all His wonders, Ps. 105:2 ‒ BDB 810, cf. Exod. 3:20; 34:10; Josh. 3:5; Jdgs. 6:13; 1 Chr. 16:9,24; Job 37:5,14; Ps. 9:1; 26:7; 78:11; 139:14; Jer. 21:2; Micah 7:15, see SPECIAL TOPIC: WONDERFUL THINGS his wonders, Ps. 105:5 ‒ BDB 810, see Special Topic at #2 His marvels, Ps. 105:5 ‒ BDB 68, cf. Exod. 7:3; 11:9; 1 Chr. 16:12; Job 3:3 the judgments, Ps. 105:5 ‒ BDB 1048, see SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION His judgments, Ps. 105:7 ‒ BDB 1048 His wondrous acts, Ps. 105:27 ‒ BDB 68 Different periods of Israel's history demonstrate YHWH's special activities on behalf of Abraham's family. The purpose of these divine acts was to help the nations know YHWH, cf. 1 Kgs. 8:42-43; see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN. Psalm 105:1-5 has a series of IMPERATIVES imploring the worship of YHWH in the temple. give thanks ‒ BDB 392, KB 389, Hiphil, cf. 1 Chr. 16:8,34; Isa. 12:4 call upon ‒ BDB 894, KB 1128, Qal, cf. Ps. 99:6 make known ‒ BDB 393, KB 390, Hiphil, cf. Ps. 145:12 sing ‒ BDB 1010, KB 1479, Qal sing praises ‒ BDB 274, KB 273, Piel, cf. Ps. 66:2; 68:4; 135:3 speak/muse ‒ BDB 967, KB 1319, Qal cf. Ps. 77:12; 119:27; 145:5; 147:1 glory ‒ BDB 237, KB 248, Hithpael seek ‒ BDB 205, KB 233, cf. Exod. 33:7; Deut. 4:29; 1 Chr. 16:10; 2 Chr. 11:10-11; Isa. 51:1; Jer. 50:4; Hosea 3:5; 5:6 seek ‒ BDB 134, KB 152, Piel, cf. 1 Chr. 16:11; 2 Chr. 7:14; Ps. 27:8; Amos 4:5 remember ‒ BDB 269, KB 269, Qal cf. 1 Chr. 16:12 105:1 "the Lord" See SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. ▣ "call upon His name" Psalm 105:1-4 describes cultic (religious procedures) worship. The "name" represents the person's character. SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH SPECIAL TOPIC: CALL ON HIS NAME ▣ "Make known His deeds among the peoples" It is God's will that all the earth (cf. Ps. 105:7b) know Him (cf. Ps. 145:12; Isa. 12:4-5). Israel was a means to this end and the Bible is a record of this revelation. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 105:2 "Sing to Him" This (BDB 967, KB 1319) also describes cultic worship. They sang songs about YHWH and His acts of salvation, as far back as the Exodus (cf. Exodus 15). ▣ "Speak" This is literally "meditate" or "muse." We are to keep God's character and acts before our minds (cf. Ps. 105:5; Deut. 6:6-9). 105:3 "glory" This VERB means "to boast" (BDB 237, KB 248, Hithpael IMPERATIVE). Israel was to "glory" in the kind of God who called them and was uniquely their God. ▣ "Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad" The "heart" speaks of the entire person. We must respond (the VERB is a Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense) to God's initiative, and the appropriate way is with "joy" (BDB 970). SPECIAL TOPIC: HEART 105:4 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, NJB "and His strength" "for help" LXX, Moffatt "and be strengthened" "His might" (referring to the Ark, cf. Ps. 78:61; 132:8) Peshitta, REB "be strong" "rely on" "and the strength he gives" As is obvious from the variety of translations, the phrase is uncertain. I think, from the context of temple worship (i.e., Ps. 105:1-4), that the JPSOA option is best (i.e., the Ark, cf. Ps. 78:61; 132:8). SPECIAL TOPIC: ARK OF THE COVENANT ▣ "Seek His face continually" This is an idiomatic way of calling on faithful followers to keep YHWH and His revelation before their minds (cf. Deut. 6:6-9). This is similar to Paul's emphasis of praying without ceasing (cf. Eph. 6:18; 1 Thess. 5:16-18). 105:5 "the judgments uttered by His mouth" This reflects the Hebrew concept of the power of the spoken word (cf. Gen. 1:1; Isa. 55:1; John 1:1; and note at Gen. 1:3). For "judgments" see SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION. 105:6 This verse reflects God's choice of Abraham (Ps. 105:6a) and his descendants (105:6b) as His chosen means to redeem all mankind, Gen. 3:15. Remember, in the OT the term "chosen" (BDB 104; 1 Chr. 16:13) is used for instrumentality (i.e., service), not salvation (see SPECIAL TOPIC: HE CHOSE US). God chooses to use nations, people, and historical events for His larger redemptive plan. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 105:7 "He is the Lord our God" This phrase may be a reference to the covenant language of Exod. 20:2. It involves the two most common names for Deity, YHWH ‒ Lord and Elohim ‒ God. Modern western scholarship has asserted that these represent the name of Deity used by two different human authors of the OT. The Jews assert that they represent the characteristics of the one true God (see SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM). Elohim is Deity's title as creator, provider, and sustainer of all life YHWH is Deity's covenant title as savior and redeemer SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C., D. SPECIAL TOPIC: PENTATEUCH SOURCE CRITICISM ▣ "His judgments are in all the earth" This refers to God's universal focus, which is so dominant in this section of the Psalms (i.e., Psalm 96, see notes there). The term "earth" can be translated in several ways, depending on the context. See SPECIAL TOPIC: LAND, COUNTRY, EARTH.
Salmos 105:8-15
105:8-15 This strophe alludes to YHWH's call to Abraham to leave Ur and follow Him to a new land of promise (i.e., Genesis 12-18). This same promise was reaffirmed to Jacob/Israel (cf. Gen. 28:13-15). YHWH protected and provided for the descendants of Abraham as they sojourned in Canaan (i.e., Gen. 12:7; 20:1-7; 35:5). SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS 105:8 "He has remembered His covenant forever" Almost all of God's promises are conditioned on human response. Therefore, "forever" must be interpreted in the context of conditional/unconditional covenant (see SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam). The focus of the biblical revelation is that God is faithful even when mankind is not (compare Psalm 105 with Psalm 106). Fallen mankind's hope is not in his ability to perform, although there is a required continuing repentant faith response necessary. It is the unchanging character of God that provides hope and assurance (cf. Ps. 102:27; Mal. 3:6; James 1:17). For "covenant" see SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT. ▣ "to a thousand generations" This is an idiom for God's faithfulness. It is parallel to "forever" in Ps. 105:8a. It is used as a contrast between God's love and justice in Deut. 5:9 and 7:9. "Thousand" is a symbolic number used in several senses. SPECIAL TOPIC: THOUSAND (eleph) 105:9-10 YHWH repeated His initial promise about the land to Abram to the other Patriarchs. Abraham ‒ Gen. 12:7; 13:15; 15:18 Isaac ‒ Gen. 26:3-4 Jacob/Israel ‒ Gen. 28:13 SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS 105:10b "an everlasting covenant" This phrasing has caused some to miss the differences between the performanced based Mosaic Covenant (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28; see and SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP) and the grace based new covenant (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-36) the priority of Jesus and the NT over the national promises of the OT the semantic field of the Hebrew word 'olam, see SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam) YHWH's promises to redeem mankind are unconditional (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN) biblical references to the concept with Noah about no more flood ‒ Gen. 9:12-13 with Abraham and his seed ‒ Gen. 17:7,13,19; 1 Chr. 16:15-17; Ps. 105:9,10 related to Sabbath worship ‒ Exod. 31:16 related to Levitical priests ‒ Num. 18:19 with Israel (1) unconditional ‒ see #2 and also Ezek. 16:60-62; 37:24-28; Ps. 105:5,9 (2) conditional ‒ Isaiah 24:5; 33:8; also note Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-30 with David and his royal descendants ‒ 2 Sam. 7:13-16; Isa. 55:3-5; 61:4-9; parallel in 1 Chronicles 17 with the New Covenant ‒ Jer. 31:31-34; 32:40; 50:5; Ezek. 36:22-36 (i.e., the gospel of Jesus Christ, Heb. 13:20) 105:11 This is an allusion to Gen. 12:1; 13:15; and 15:18. ▣ "As the portion of your inheritance" See full note online at Ps. 78:55. 105:12 There are several texts where the size of Abraham's family is addressed. one day very large ‒ the Patriarchs, Gen. 12:2; 16:10; 17:4-5; 18:18; 34:30; Deut. 26:5 imagery used "as the dust of the earth" ‒ Gen. 13:16; 28:14; Num. 23:10 "as the stars of heaven" ‒ Gen. 15:5; 26:4; Deut. 10:22; 28:62 "as the sand of the sea" ‒ Gen. 22:17; 32:12 even Ishmael to be many ‒ Gen. 16:10; 17:20 the family started out small initial choice of YHWH as His people ‒ Deut. 7:7 initial numbers in Egypt ‒ Gen. 46:26-27; Deut. 26:5 initial number in conquest of Canaan ‒ 1 Chr. 16:18-19 small because of covenant disobedience and the resulting exile ‒ Deut. 4:27; 28:62 Remember, God's will for mankind was to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth ‒ Gen. 1:28; 9:1,7; Ps. 127:5. He wants it filled with humans who know Him and obey Him. Notice again the tragedy of Genesis 3 and 6 105:15 "My anointed ones. . .My prophets" These are in a parallel relationship and, therefore, refer to the Patriarchs (cf. Gen. 20:7). This term "anointed ones" (BDB 603) is the root meaning of Messiah. It refers to the Patriarchs or the family that God chose and equipped to perform His will. SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH SPECIAL TOPIC: ANOINTING IN THE BIBLE, F. SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY (OT), A. #2
Salmos 105:16-24
105:16-24 This strophe deals with YHWH leading His covenant people from Canaan to Egypt (cf. Genesis 37-50). This was God's plan. to raise up Joseph as a leader in preparation, Ps. 105:17 to force the move by way of a famine, Ps. 105:16 to cause later friction between the Egyptians and Israelites so as to demonstrate His power over the Egyptian gods and reveal Himself to the Egyptians and the surrounding nations of the ANE, Ps. 105:25 The "few in number" of Ps. 105:12 is contrasted with Ps. 105:24. See full note at 105:12. 105:16 "He called. . .He broke" God uses calamity for His purposes, Isa. 45:7. This seems contradictory to Ps. 105:14-15, but God uses both positive and negative events. This is obvious in His covenant relationship with Israel (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-29; Psalm 1). See full note at Isa. 45:7 online. SPECIAL TOPIC: ONE CAUSALITY ▣ "staff and bread" This idiom is used several times in the OT (cf. Lev. 26:26; Ezek. 4:16; 5:16; 14:13). God controls rain and food. He wants to bless but sin and rebellion cause the necessities of life to be withheld (i.e., Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-30). In Psalm 105 the famine was to accomplish a divine plan (i.e., Joseph to a place of leadership in Egypt and Israel to take up residence there). The term "staff" (BDB 641, KB 573) could refer to stalk of grain wooden rod on which the food was carried wooden rod to suspend the food so that animals could not eat it symbolic way of referring to the absolute necessity of bread for life in the Ancient Near East 105:17 "He sent a man before them" This refers to Joseph as being God's means of saving and sustaining the chosen family of Jacob (cf. Genesis 37; 39-46). Joseph's own sense of YHWH's actions is expressed in Gen. 45:4-8; 50:20. The eyes of faith see history clearly! 105:18 "He himself" The word "himself" is literally "soul," nephesh (BDB 659), which has a wide semantic field, but usually denotes air-breathing life on this planet (i.e., human and animal; see SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH). Most modern English translations assume that the consonants for nephesh, in this context, reflect an Akkadian root for "throat" or "neck" (cf. NRSV, TEV, NJB, JPSOA, REB). Iron was a way of referring to imprisonment (cf. Ps. 107:10). ▤ " was laid in irons" This reflects the painful experience of Joseph being sold by his own brothers, though he later recognized God's hand (cf. Genesis 37; 45:4-8). The MT is literally "iron came (into his) soul." However, the LXX translated the phrase as "his soul passed through iron." Joseph's life experiences of rejection by his brothers and the cruel treatment in the Egyptian prison were painful and lasting scars. But they also produced a strong, faithful follower (cf. Heb. 5:8). 105:19a "Until the time that his word came to pass" This probably refers to Joseph's predictions about the baker and cupbearer of Pharaoh, with whom he was imprisoned (cf. Genesis 40). However, some see this as relating to Joseph's dream interpretation to Pharaoh (cf. Genesis 41). 105:19b NASB, NKJV, REB, NRSV "tested" TEV, NJB, NET "proved" "purified" "tried" "purged" The MT has the VERB "tested" or "refined" (BDB 864, KB 1057, Qal PERFECT). This line of poetry must relate to v. 19a, referring to one of Joseph's dream predictions. YHWH was not testing Joseph but was proving that it was He who was revealing the future events to Joseph. 105:20 "the king" There is much scholarly disagreement about the dates related to Israel's sojourn in Egypt and the date of the Exodus. Modern scholars are not sure of the date of the Exodus the number of Israelites involved in the Exodus the Pharaoh of the Exodus the route of the Exodus SPECIAL TOPIC: THE EXODUS (uncertainties) 105:22a "to imprison" "to bind" NRSV, NJB, TEV "to instruct" "to correct" LXX, Vulgate "to educate" Peshitta, JPSOA "to discipline" The MT has "to bind" (BDB 63, KB 75, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT. The UBS Text Project, p. 379, gives it a "B" rating. to bind ‒ לאמר to teach ‒ ליםר (KB 418 I, cf. Ps. 94:10) The Hebrew term "bind" is legal imagery for one who has authority over another (i.e., "bind" or "loose"). This connotation fits the context of Ps. 105:20-22. This especially strengthens the literary relationship between v. 22a and v. 22b. 104:24 This reflects the blessing of numerous children seen in Exod. 1:7,9.
Salmos 105:25-36
105:25-36 Notice the time element. Ps. 105:8-15 reflects the Patriarchal period Ps. 105:16-24 reflects the Joseph experience Ps. 105:25-36 reflects the Exodus 105:25a "He turned their heart to hate His people" As God hardened Pharaoh's heart toward Moses' requests, He hardened the people of Egypt toward the Jews. 105:25b NASB, NKJV, NRSV, LXX "to deal craftily" "with deceit" "to double-cross" "to double-dealing" "to deal subtly" "to plot against" The MT has the VERB (BDB 647, KB 699, Hithpael INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT. This root means "to act deceitfully" ( cf. Gen. 37:18; Num. 25:18; and here). It could refer to the events of Exod. 1:8-22. 105:26 The account of YHWH calling Moses and sending him back to Egypt is recorded in Exodus 3-4. The need for Aaron is explained in Exod. 4:10-17. Exod. 4:10, Moses' excuse Exod. 4:11-12, YHWH's answer Exod. 4:13, Moses' continuing refusal Exod. 4:14-16, YHWH's answer to send Aaron to speak for him 105:27 "the land of Ham" The Hebrews recognized that the Egyptians were ancient brothers. Ham is also mentioned in Ps. 78:51; 106:22. This speaks of the unity of mankind. See full notes at Genesis 10. 105:28-36 This describes the plagues (cf. Exodus 7-11). However, this is only a partial list. It starts with the 9 th , then the 1 st , 2 nd , 4 th , 3 rd , 7 th , 8 th , and 10 th . Each of the ten plagues depreciated an Egyptian deity. 105:28 "And they did not rebel against His words" The LXX and Peshitta leave out the negative. This is followed by NRSV and REB. However, the MT has the negative and the UBS Text Project gives its inclusion a "B" rating (some doubt). The interpretive issue is, who is "they." MT ‒ Moses and Aaron LXX ‒ the Egyptians, especially Pharaoh 105:36 Pharaoh was considered a son of the Sun god, Ra, so too, then was the crown prince. YHWH is superior to Ra. ▣ NASB, NKJV, NRSV, NJB, LXX, JPSOA "in their land" TEV, Peshitta "of Egypt" The MT has "in their land" (BDB 75). The UBS Text Project gives this a "C" rating (considered doubtful). "in their land" ‒ בארצם "in Egypt" ‒ במצרים They both make sense in this context. Remember, during the plagues the land of Goshen was not affected but only the rest of the land of Egypt. In this case, "their" would refer to all Egypt except Goshen (i.e., part of the Nile delta where the Hebrews kept their flocks and lived). Goshen was close to the capital of Egypt during this period, Rameses. SPECIAL TOPIC: DATE OF THE EXODUS
Salmos 105:37-45
105:37-43 These verses reflect the wilderness wandering period (cf. Numbers 13-36). 105:37 "with silver and gold" The Egyptians gave the Israelites much gold and silver (cf. Exod. 3:21-22; 11:2; 12:35-36). It was a way of illustrating the humiliating defeat by YHWH (cf. Ps. 105:38). ▣ "among His tribes" This phrase may be related to "by their hosts" (BDB 838), which is found in Exod. 6:26; 12:51; and Josephus, Antiq. 14.6. It means that as the Israelites left Egypt on their Exodus, they camped by tribal groupings. SPECIAL TOPIC: TABERNACLE CAMP ▣ "there was not one who stumbled" This shows God's special miraculous care for the old, sick, and young (cf. Deut. 8:4; 29:5; Neh. 9:21). 105:39 ". . .cloud. . ." This was called the "Shekinah Cloud of Glory" by the rabbis (cf. Exod. 13:21-22; 14:19,24; 33:9-10; Ps. 78:14; 99:7). It accomplished several things for the Israelites. symbol of YHWH's personal presence (shekinah means "to dwell with") it separated Israel from Pharaoh's elite troops (cf. Exod. 14:19-20) it led Israel (cf. Exod. 13:21-22; Num. 9:17-23) it covered them and protected them from the heat (cf. Ps. 105:39) it lit up the camp by night, even allowed Israel to travel at night (cf. Exod. 13:21; Neh. 9:12,19) it caused the nations to fear Israel (cf. Exod. 23:27; Deut. 2:25; 11:25; Josh. 2:9) it finally disappeared when Israel crossed the Jordan (cf. Exod. 16:35; Josh. 5:12), but reappeared at the dedication of Solomon's temple (1 Kings 8). SPECIAL TOPIC: SHEKINAH 105:40 "They asked" The MT has "he asked." The UBS Text Project (p. 381) gives this a "C" rating (considerable doubt). The question is who the PRONOUN refers to. the people as a whole one among them acting as a spokesperson YHWH Himself ▣ "quail" God provided quail meat twice (cf. Exod. 16:13-14 and Num. 11:31) as a sign of His love and promise of provisions and care. ▣ "bread of heaven" This was another name for manna (cf. Exodus 16). In Deut. 8:3, the people called it "manna" (BDB 577 I, [Exod. 16:31] from the question of Exod. 16:15, "What is it?" Moses called it "bread from heaven," Exod. 16:4). It was God's special provision of food during the wilderness wandering period. It is described in Exod. 16:4, 14-15; 31; Num. 11:7-8, but its exact substance is unknown to us (BDB says it was known to Bedouins in the Sinai and that it was strictly a juice from a certain twig, but this does not fit the biblical description). God provided what they needed for each day, not for a long period of time, so the people would learn to trust Him for their daily needs. He does this for new covenant believers also (cf. Matt. 6:11). SPECIAL TOPIC: MANNA 105:41 "He opened the rock" This divine provision of water was repeated several times (cf. Exod. 17:1-6; Num. 20:11; Deut. 8:15; Ps. 78:20; 114:8). It becomes a Messianic symbol in 1 Cor. 10:4. 105:42 "He remembered His holy word" This refers to God's initial covenant with Abraham (cf. Ps. 105:5-6; Genesis 12-15, especially Gen. 15:16). 105:44-45 These verses reflect the Conquest of Canaan under Joshua. 105:45 "keep His statutes, And observe His laws" Obedience to the revealed word of God is crucial. Obedience reveals the heart. The covenant has two aspects. the sovereignty and faithfulness of YHWH (cf. Deut. 4:39) the faith and obedience of His people (cf. Deut. 4:40; Ps. 25:10; 103:18) YHWH is faithful (cf. Deut. 7:9), so His followers must be also! SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT ▣ "Praise the Lord" This is literally "praise Yah" (BDB 237 II, KB 248, Piel IMPERATIVE with Yah, BDB 219). In English it is transliterated "hallelujah." This phrase is a common refrain in the last section of the Psalter (i.e., Ps. 104:35; 105:45; 106:1,48; 111:1; 112:1; 113:1,9; 116:19; 117:2; 135:1,21; 146:1,10; 147:1; 148:1,14; 149:1,9; 150:1,6). How appropriate!