Psalm 105 (104):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Next, one is encouraged to proclaim His deeds to others: "Tell men what He has done" (John 21:17), or more literally from Greek sources, "Proclaim the gospel of His works among the nations." This call is directed toward the evangelists as foretold in prophecy. We are urged to "Sing to Him and play instruments to Him" (Psalm 104:2), suggesting that praise is done not only through our words but also through our actions, as we sing with our voices and play with our hands. Let our conversations glorify His wonderful works. "Praise His holy Name" (Psalm 104:3) wonderfully encapsulates the essence of these verses, where our conversations center on His marvelous deeds. Our vocal praise and instrumental music highlight how we celebrate His holiness; our words recount His wonders, while our music demonstrates our joyful response in action, ensuring that no one seeks glory for themselves but rather glorifies the Lord.

Thus, when we say: "Be glorified," it implies a recognition that only those who live righteously may rightfully experience glory, stating further, "in His holy Name" (1 Corinthians 1:31). To be praised in His holy Name signifies that true glory belongs to God. As reflected in another Psalm: "My soul shall glory in the Lord; let the humble hear and rejoice,” we see that the humble, who do not engage in strife or jealousy, can truly rejoice (Psalm 104:4).

"Seek the Lord, and be strengthened" (Psalm 103:4) captures the essence of prayer and action in its original Greek, urging us toward a deeper understanding. What does it mean to "seek the face of the Lord forever"? While it’s beneficial for us to cling to God, it raises the question—if we are always seeking, when will we find Him? Is this eternal seeking meant to reflect our entire earthly life? For even upon finding Him through faith, we still pursue Him in hope. Love allows us to possess Him and seek His vision, where ultimately He meets and satisfies us. Faith uncovers Him in this life, and if seeking were unnecessary after discovery, Scripture would not instruct us to "Seek the Lord" nor assert, "For if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience" (Romans 8:25). Thus, "Seek His face forever" embodies the pursuit of love—a continuous search reflecting our growing affection.

"Remember... His marvelous works which He has done, the wonders of His miracles, and the judgments of His mouth" (Psalm 104:5) resembles the call to the children of Israel, "I am He that sent Me unto you." This phrase carries profound significance, as indicated further with "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; this is My Name forever" (Exodus 3:14-15). This signifies that He identifies Himself with those whose God He is, who will dwell with Him eternally, expressed in terms simple enough for children to grasp. Again, "Ye seed of Abraham, His servant, the children of Jacob, His chosen ones" (Psalm 104:6). Further, "He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth" (Psalm 103:7). Is He merely the God of the Jews? God forbid; He is our God, as His Church proclaims His judgments globally.

"He hath remembered His covenant" (Psalm 104:8). Other translations may suggest "forever," indicating possible ambiguity in interpretation. Must we understand this world and not eternity? When the Psalmist refers to the covenant remembered, it states: "The word He gave to a thousand generations." This could imply limitations, among which the covenant with Abraham stands: "The oath which He swore to Isaac, establishing it as a law to Jacob, and to Israel as an everlasting covenant" (Psalm 103:10). Understanding this in terms of the Old Covenant regarding Canaan, it can be perceived as temporary because the earthly inheritance is not eternal.

Thus, the term "Old" signifies its fulfillment by the New Covenant. A thousand generations seem to imply variation yet suggest a temporal period; for instance, the Greek term 'γεν-α' enables generational succession, symbolizing continuity until conclusion. Contemplating the promise from Abraham to the New Testament—and even from Adam to the end of the world—leads us to ponder the longevity of such an era. Through the words of the prophet, we realize that this Old Covenant has been succeeded, as declared: "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant" (Jeremiah 31:31-32).

Hence, to "remember His covenant forever" refers to the everlasting covenant of justification and of the eternal inheritance bestowed upon faith, affirming: "And the word which He commanded to a thousand generations." This command directs that the righteous shall live by faith (Romans 1:17), ensuring the promise continues as long as the lineage endures, emphasizing the authoritative guidance in faith for God's people, the children of promise. The phrase "a thousand" numerically signifies the completeness of generations; while the word of God binds this lineage.

Now, the story unfolds in Egypt; "When they were few, very few, and were strangers in the land" (Psalm 104:12), demonstrates their minimal presence in Canaan. Although some variations desire "very few and foreigners," indicating their status. "In what time they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another nation" (Psalm 103:13) illustrates that within God's provision, they faced no harm—"even kings He rebuked for their sakes" (Psalm 103:14). This divine protection was evident throughout their history, unseen yet profoundly operative as God safeguarded them despite their limited numbers in a new land, ensuring their survival as they journeyed.

Such questioning might arise regarding their title as "anointed," before any literal anointing took place. While they were considered prophets (as Abraham was revealed), does this imply that even before Christ, who was in essence to come, these patriarchs conveyed faith in Him? As the Scriptures declare, "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). Though Christ's flesh was descended from them, faith unto reconciliation with God existed even prior to His incarnation, as articulated by the Apostle: "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).

The narrative continues, as famine struck the land, and "all the staffs of bread were broken" (Psalm 103:16). God's hand was evidently at work as He called forth famine—illustratively suggesting a personified presence reacting to His commands. The psalmist illustrates that this calling might be akin to denoting in advance the calamity, sustaining God's providential control over the future.

Yet, it was stated that "He sent a man before them" (Psalm 104:17)—Joseph, who, though sold into slavery by his brothers, became a pivotal figure. Here we meditate on how God transforms human sins into actual goods, revealing God’s capability of harnessing even the darkest human actions for divine purpose.

The litany of Joseph’s suffering is recounted as a time when "iron entered into his soul" (Psalm 103:18). This serves as a metaphor for deep emotional pain. The trials he endured were not recorded in exhaustive detail, yet it is understood through the Spirit that such affliction permits growth; "until his word came," illustrating how God fulfills promises even amidst hardship, as reflected in "The word of the Lord inflamed him" (Psalm 104:19), articulating both the challenge and the consequent divine elevation of Joseph.

In his high position, Joseph instructed rulers and imparted wisdom (Psalm 103:22) despite the absence of specific references to his prior affliction. His role as a believer led to more profound concerns than mere physical sustenance; he imparts a reminder of God’s grace in guiding and strengthening the faithful in foreseeing future occurrences.

Lastly, His blessings on Israel were elaborately recounted: "All the nations feared Him" because He "greatly multiplied His people" (Psalm 104:24) and confrontations with the Egyptians became clearer—with God provoking their hearts out of jealousy, thus, not altering their nature but merely channeling their inherent discord toward His people (Psalm 104:25). Hence, the mission of Moses and Aaron underlines God's intent to lead His people, even in the midst of adversity, into the higher purpose of glorifying His Name through their trials and tribulations.

From these statements, it becomes clear that, despite God's sovereignty over the entire universe and the visibility of His designs everywhere, the Israelites uniquely find in Him a God set apart for them. As expressed in the song of Moses: When the Most High imparted inheritances, the Lord's people Jacob became the Lord's portion, Israel His own heritage (Deuteronomy 32:8, 9). Moreover, it is emphasized that the Israelites are not specially favored because they are inherently different or superior, but solely due to God's grace. Since the Lord's designs encompass all nations, their status is equal to that of others. Thus, any distinction arises solely from God's favor, signifying that adoption is a bestowed gift, granted apart from merit.