Psalms 105

22. To bind--Not literally bind; but exercise over them absolute control, as the parallel in the second clause shows; also Genesis 41:40 Genesis 41:44 , in which not literal fettering, but commanding obedience, is spoken of. It refers to Psalms 105:18 . The soul that was once bound itself now binds others, even princes. The same moral binding is assigned to the saints ( Psalms 149:8 ).
teach . . . senators wisdom--the ground of his exaltation by Pharaoh was his wisdom ( Genesis 41:39 ); namely, in state policy, and ordering well a kingdom.

23-25. Israel . . . and Jacob--that is, Jacob himself is meant, as Psalms 105:24 speaks of "his people." Still, he came with his whole house ( Genesis 46:6 Genesis 46:7 ).
sojourned--( Genesis 47:4 ).
land of Ham--or, Egypt ( Psalms 78:51 ).

25. turned their heart--God controls men's free acts (compare 1 Samuel 10:9 ). "When Saul had turned his back to go from (God's prophet) Samuel, God turned (Margin) him another heart" (see Exodus 1:8 , &c.). 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 ( Isaiah 43:17 ) says it was God who brought forth the army of Pharaoh to pursue Israel to their own destruction ( Exodus 4:21 , 7:3 ).

26. Moses . . . chosen--both what they were by divine choice ( Psalms 78:70 ).

27. signs--literally, "words of signs," or rather, as "words" in Hebrew means "things," "things of His signs," that is, His marvellous tokens of power ( Psalms 145:5 , Margin). Compare the same Hebraism ( Psalms 65:3 , Margin).

28-36. The ninth plague is made prominent as peculiarly wonderful.
they rebelled not--Moses and Aaron promptly obeyed God ( Hebrews 11:27 ); (compare Exodus 7:1-11:10' and Psalms 78:44-51 , with which this summary substantially agrees). Or, rather, the "darkness" here is figurative ( Jeremiah 13:16 ), the literal plague of darkness ( Exodus 10:22 Exodus 10:23 ) being only alluded 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 the Egyptians. Whenever God sent a plague on them, they were ready to let Israel go, though refusing when the plague ceased.
his word--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.

29-31. He deprived them of their favorite "fish," and gave them instead, ( Psalms 105:30 ) out of the water, loathsome "frogs," and ( Psalms 105:31 ) upon their land tormenting "flies" (the dog-fly, according to MAURER) and "lice" (gnats, according to HENGSTENBERG).

32. gave them--referring to Leviticus 26:4 . "I give you rain in due season." His "gift" to Israel's foes is one of a very different kind from that bestowed on His people.
hail for rain--instead of fertilizing showers, hail destructive to trees. This forms the transition to the vegetable kingdom. The locusts in Psalms 105:34 similarly are destructive to plants.

33. their coasts--all their land ( Psalms 78:54 ).

34. caterpillars--literally, "the lickers up," devouring insects; probably the hairy-winged locust.

36. the chief--literally, "the firstlings." The ascending climax passes from the food of man to man himself. The language here is quoted from Psalms 78:51 .

37. with silver and gold--presented them by the Egyptians, as an acknowledgment due for their labors in their bondage (compare Exodus 12:35 ).
one feeble person--or, "stumbler," unfit for the line of march. Compare "harnessed," that is, accoutred and marshalled as an army on march ( Exodus 13:18;,Isa 5:27 Exodus 13:18;,Isa 5:27 ).

38. (Compare Exodus 12:33 , Deuteronomy 11:25 ).

39. covering--in sense of protection (compare Exodus 13:21 , Numbers 10:34 ). 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 ( Isaiah 4:5 Isaiah 4:6 ; compare Numbers 9:16 ).

42-45. 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 Psalms 105:8 Psalms 105:11 ). Exodus 2:24 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 ( Genesis 18:19 ), as it was also the object of the covenant with Israel, that they might observe God's statutes.
remembered . . . and Abraham--or, "remembered His holy word (that is, covenant confirmed) with Abraham."

44. inherited the labour--that is, the fruits of their labor; their corn and vineyards ( Joshua 21:43-45 ).