In today’s daily devotional, we are focusing on two longer yet deeply reflective psalms. Psalm 104, with its thirty-five verses, draws our hearts to the magnificence of God as Creator, reminding us of the beauty and order He brings to the world. Psalm 105, spanning forty-five verses, reflects on God’s steadfast faithfulness to His people. As you read or listen to these psalms, take a moment to reflect: How has God’s faithfulness shown up in your life? Perhaps like the psalmist, we can draw on past memories or moments when we felt God’s presence and provision. Let’s begin by reflecting on Psalm 104’s celebration of creation and then move to Psalm 105’s account of God’s enduring promises. Explore how to walk in integrity by reading the daily devotional on Psalms 99-103.
Psalms 104 and 105 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Today, we are in day twenty-one of our walk through the Book of Psalms. We are going to cover just two psalms today, but they are longer. Psalm 104 has thirty-five verses, and Psalm 105 has forty-five verses. Psalm 104 reminds us of God the creator. Psalm 105 reminds us of God’s faithfulness. How do you remember God’s faithfulness in your life? Please read or listen to Psalms 104 and 105.
I am going to go to my journals, but I am going to take these psalms one at a time, going back to my journals on Psalm 104 and then on to Psalm 105.
What Does Psalm 104 Say About Creation?
Let’s begin with 1997 (NASB), on Psalm 104, “Praise God for His creation and order in the earth.” In 2007, ten years later, I wrote about Psalm 104, “Psalm 104 is a summary of God’s creation.” Quoting verse 5, “He established the earth upon its foundations”. Then I referred to verses 14-15, and 27-28, “He feeds His creation.” In 2015, I wrote, “God controls His creation. He made everything and He provides its order. We eat because God provides. We are to bless the Lord and praise Him.”
What Does Psalm 104 Celebrate?
Psalm 104 is a summary of creation. Let’s look at a couple of verses. Verse 5, “He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved.” Skip down to verses 19 and 20, “He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.You make darkness, and it is night”. Verse 24 says, “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all”.
Then He reminds us He alone provides for His creation. Verses 27-31:
These all look to you,
to give them their food in due season.
When you give it to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works.
In the Bible, we do not just look to Genesis to see about creation. We can look in places like Psalm 104 to be reminded that God is the creator.
What Is the Historical Context of Psalm 105?
Now let’s look at Psalm 105. It is much different than Psalm 104. In 1997, I wrote, “Psalm 105. History of God’s relationship with Israel.” Quoting verse 8, “He remembers his covenant forever”. I continued, “He delivered Israel from Egypt with great drama and demonstration.”
In 2007, I wrote, “David remembers. Often in scripture, memories are written down so they can be passed on to the next generation.” I happened to be writing about this psalm at Thanksgiving, so I wrote, “Thanksgiving should be like that. A time to remember and share, but it won’t be. It will be football and jabber and very little thanks, especially to God for His blessings.”
In 2015, I wrote, “God is faithful. We are not. God keeps promises. We do not. We should give thanks to God for His steadfast love to us even when we are disobedient and selfish. He may punish, but He also restores.”
What Historical Events and Their Lessons Are Highlighted in Psalm 105?
Psalm 105 is a reminder of God’s blessings and faithfulness to the nation of Israel. Verse 1 proclaims, “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!” Verse 5 says, “Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered”. Then the psalmist reminds us of His faithfulness to His covenant to the nation of Israel, “He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations” (v. 8).
What Is Psalms 105:43-45?
His faithfulness to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is recalled. He next reminds the nation of Israel of His faithfulness to Joseph and to Moses while they were in Egypt. Psalm 105 closes with these words:
So he brought his people out with joy,
his chosen ones with singing.
And he gave them the lands of the nations,
and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil,
that they might keep his statutes
and observe his laws.
Praise the Lord! (vv. 43-45).
Psalm 105 is a reminder of God’s faithfulness to His people and, of course, to us today. How do you remember God’s faithfulness in your life?
Prayer
Lord, we thank You for the reminder of creation and order in Psalm 104. We thank You for the reminder in 105 that You are a covenant keeper. Throughout history You kept Your covenant with Israel. Therefore, we can count on You keeping Your covenant with us.
Your covenant today is a cross on Calvary’s hill that reminds us You paid the price for sin. All who will accept Your forgiveness can have eternal life with You. Thank You that You keep Your covenant.
These psalms remind us again, to praise You and worship You as creator and covenant keeper. To God be the glory. Great things You have done. Amen.
