Psalms 105:11-21

11 “I will give you the land of Canaan as your special possession.”

12 He said this when they were few in number, a tiny group of strangers in Canaan.

13 They wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.

14 Yet he did not let anyone oppress them. He warned kings on their behalf:

15 “Do not touch my chosen people, and do not hurt my prophets.”

16 He called for a famine on the land of Canaan, cutting off its food supply.

17 Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave.

18 They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar.

19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character.

20 Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door.

21 Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions.

Psalms 105:11-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 105

This psalm was penned by David, and sung at the time when the ark was brought from the house of Obededom to the place which David had prepared for it; at least the first fifteen verses of it, the other part being probably added afterwards by the same inspired penman, as appears from 1Ch 16:1-7. The subject matter of the psalm is the special and distinguishing goodness of God to the children of Israel, and to his church and people, of which they were typical: the history of God's regard to and care of their principal ancestors, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph and of the whole body of the people, in bringing them out of Egypt, leading them through the wilderness, and settling them in the land of Canaan, is here recited, as an argument for praise and thankfulness.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew his word.