8 He is ever mindful of his covenant,—the word which he commanded to a thousand generations,— 9 Which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; 10 And he confirmed it unto Jacob for a statute, unto Israel for an everlasting covenant, 11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; 12 When they were a few men in number, of small account, and strangers in it. 13 And they went from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people. 14 He suffered no man to oppress them, and reproved kings for their sakes, 15 [Saying,] Touch not mine anointed ones, and do my prophets no harm. 16 And he called for a famine upon the land; he broke the whole staff of bread. 17 He sent a man before them: Joseph was sold for a bondman. 18 They afflicted his feet with fetters; his soul came into irons; 19 Until the time when what he said came about: the word of Jehovah tried him. 20 The king sent and loosed him—the ruler of peoples—and let him go free. 21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler over all his possessions: 22 To bind his princes at his pleasure, and teach his elders wisdom. 23 And Israel came into Egypt, and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 105:8-23
Commentary on Psalm 105:8-23
(Read Psalm 105:8-23)
Let us remember the Redeemer's marvellous works, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth. Though true Christians are few number, strangers and pilgrims upon earth, yet a far better inheritance than Canaan is made sure to them by the covenant of God; and if we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit, none can do us any harm. Afflictions are among our mercies. They prove our faith and love, they humble our pride, they wean us from the world, and quicken our prayers. Bread is the staff which supports life; when that staff is broken, the body fails and sinks to the earth. The word of God is the staff of spiritual life, the food and support of the soul: the sorest judgment is a famine of hearing the word of the Lord. Such a famine was sore in all lands when Christ appeared in the flesh; whose coming, and the blessed effect of it, are shadowed forth in the history of Joseph. At the appointed time Christ was exalted as Mediator; all the treasures of grace and salvation are at his disposal, perishing sinners come to him, and are relieved by him.