8 He has remembered his covenant forever,
the word which he commanded to a thousand generations, 9 the covenant which he made with Abraham,
his oath to Isaac, 10 and confirmed the same to Jacob for a statute;
to Israel for an everlasting covenant, 11 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan,
the lot of your inheritance;” 12 when they were but a few men in number,
yes, very few, and foreigners in it. 13 They went about from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people. 14 He allowed no one to do them wrong.
Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes, 15 “Don’t touch my anointed ones!
Do my prophets no harm!” 16 He called for a famine on the land.
He destroyed the food supplies. 17 He sent a man before them.
Joseph was sold for a slave. 18 They bruised his feet with shackles.
His neck was locked in irons, 19 until the time that his word happened,
and Yahweh’s word proved him true. 20 The king sent and freed him;
even the ruler of peoples, and let him go free. 21 He made him lord of his house,
and ruler of all of his possessions; 22 to discipline his princes at his pleasure,
and to teach his elders wisdom. 23 Israel also came into Egypt.
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.