“Make Known His Deeds”
Psalm 105:1-6
1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD!
Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!
2 Sing to Him, sing Psalms to
Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!
3 Glory in His holy name; Let
the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!
4 Seek the LORD and His
strength; Seek His face evermore!
5 Remember His marvelous works
which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
6 O seed of Abraham His
servant, You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!
Psalm 103 to Psalm 106 are the
four closing psalms in the fourth book of the Book of Psalms. We know that
David wrote Psalm 103 by its title. And it is believed that David probably
wrote the other three as well. Actually, the first 15 verses of Psalm 105 can
be found in 1 Chronicles 16:8-22 and they appear to be almost identical. There
in verses 6-7, we are told that David wrote these words when he brought the ark
of the covenant to the tabernacle he had set up in Jerusalem. “On that day
David first delivered this psalm into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to
thank the LORD:” (1 Chronicles 16:7).
All four of these psalms
(103-106) emphasize praise to Jehovah for several reasons. Psalm 103 reminds
Israel of His benefits to them. Psalm 104 magnifies the God of creation and His
care for it. Psalm 105 focuses on the God of the covenant. And Psalm 106
recounts the God who chastens His people and forgives them and reminds them of His
longsuffering with their rebellion.
Psalm 105 is one the three
longest historical psalms in the Hebrew hymnbook: (Psalms 78; 105; 106). These
served a special purpose among the Hebrew people. Books were rare, expensive,
and beyond the reach of ordinary people. Hence, if history were to be
remembered it must be remembered by rote in the memories of the people. What
better way to enshrine it than by turning it into verse and setting it to a
tune? Think how much theology many of us, especially in our generation, learned
that way from our own hymnbooks!
May commentators also believe
that the word "hallelujah," (“Praise the LORD”), which
closes Psalm 104, probably belongs as the opening note of Psalm 105, making it
another envelope psalm and tying it even closer to Psalm 106. Which also begins
and ends with a “hallelujah”, “Praise the LORD”
“Make known his deeds" (vv.
1-2, 5) is the major thrust and theme of Psalm 105, referring, of course, to
God's mighty acts on behalf of Israel. The psalmist saw the hand of God in the
events of Jewish history, and this was the kind of encouragement the struggling
remnant needed. He reminded them that they were God's chosen people and that
God worked according to His schedule. Beginning with Egypt, the Lord had
already revealed His power over the Gentile nations, and He will always keep
His promises.
We are at a unique time in
human history with all the events currently unfolding in the Middle East. It is
as if overnight a hatred for the Jewish people and the nation of Israel has
surfaced before our very eyes. It appears that the words in Psalm 83 have come
to life again where the psalm prayed: “O God, do not be silent! Do not be
deaf. Do not be quiet, O God. Don’t you hear the uproar of your enemies? Don’t
you see that your arrogant enemies are rising up? They devise crafty schemes
against your people; they conspire against your precious ones. “Come,” they
say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of
its existence.” Yes, this was their unanimous decision. They signed a treaty as
allies against you” (Psalm 83:1-5 NLT).
Today, as we read Psalm 105,
and we remember the covenant and promises that God historically made with His
people and with Israel, should also bring us great encouragement! “Make
known his deeds among the peoples” (v. 5).
God bless!
