Psalm 105
Tell of All His Wonderful Works
*An exhortation to Israel to worship and trust in the Lord because of all his saving acts in fulfillment of his covenant with Abraham to give his descendants the land of Canaan. It was composed to be addressed to Israel by a Levite (see 1 Chronicles 16:7-22) on one of her annual religious festivals, possibly the Feast of Tabernacles (see Leviticus 23:34) but more likely the Feast of Weeks (see Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:15-21; Numbers 28:26; Deuteronomy 16:9-12; see also Deuteronomy 26:1-11).
Oh give thanks to the Lord;
call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments uttered.
-105:1-5
He is the Lord our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
He remembers his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded,
for a thousand generations.
-105:7-8
105:9-45 is an excellent summary of the history of Israel according to the great things and saving acts the Lord did for them.
Psalm 106
Give Thanks to the Lord, for He Is Good
*A confession of Israel’s long history of rebellion and a prayer for God to once again save his people. In length, poetic style and shared themes it had much affinity with Psalm 105 even while it contrasts with it by reciting the past as a history of rebellion (see Psalm 78; Nehemiah 9:5-37). It was most likely authored by a Levite in Jerusalem sometime after the return of some of the exiles.
Praise the Lord!
Oh give thanks to the Lord,
for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord,
or declare all his praise?
Blessed are they who observe justice,
who do righteousness at all times!
Remember me, O Lord,
when you show favor to your people;
help me when you save them,
that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
that I may glory with your inheritance.
-106:1-5
Then they believed his words;
they sang his praise.
-106:12
Save us, O Lord our God,
and gather us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praise.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting!
And let the people say, “Amen!”
Praise the Lord!
-106:47-49
106:6-48 is a summary of the ways Israel had rebelled and disobeyed the Lord.
BOOK FIVE
Psalm 107
Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So
*An exhortation to praise the Lord for his unfailing love in that he hears the prayers of those in need and saves them. It was composed for liturgical use at one of Israel’s annual religious festivals.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
-107:1
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
-107:6
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
-107:8-9
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
and burst their bonds apart.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
-107:13-15
Some were fools through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities suffered affliction.
-107:17
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from their destruction.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
-107:19-22
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
-107:28-31
Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
-107:43