“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!