8 And he remembers, remembers his Covenant - for a thousand generations he's been as good as his word. 9 It's the Covenant he made with Abraham, the same oath he swore to Isaac, 10 The very statute he established with Jacob, the eternal Covenant with Israel, 11 Namely, "I give you the land. Canaan is your hill-country inheritance." 12 When they didn't count for much, a mere handful, and strangers at that, 13 Wandering from country to country, drifting from pillar to post, 14 He permitted no one to abuse them. He told kings to keep their hands off: 15 "Don't you dare lay a hand on my anointed, don't hurt a hair on the heads of my prophets." 16 Then he called down a famine on the country, he broke every last blade of wheat. 17 But he sent a man on ahead: Joseph, sold as a slave. 18 They put cruel chains on his ankles, an iron collar around his neck, 19 Until God's word came to the Pharaoh, and God confirmed his promise. 20 God sent the king to release him. The Pharaoh set Joseph free; 21 He appointed him master of his palace, put him in charge of all his business 22 To personally instruct his princes and train his advisors in wisdom. 23 Then Israel entered Egypt, Jacob immigrated to 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.