Man has never been very good at keeping his word. Whether talking about business contracts, marriage, politics, or any other area of life, we see the sad effects of broken promises. No wonder we are so suspicious of one another. Psalm 105 is about promises made and promises kept—not man’s, but God’s. It’s a song of remembrance: of recalling God’s faithfulness, then thanking Him for it. Here we find the good news of Jesus Christ, and we realize how fully we depend on His grace.

In terms of structure, we encounter much of the application of this psalm in the first five verses, the preamble. We’ll return to these words at the end of our study.

1. God’s Faithfulness Expressed by Covenant (vv. 6-11). All God’s promises of salvation exist within a relationship the Bible calls “covenant.” This paragraph reminds us of what that means: God’s gracious initiative from start to finish. At its heart are the twin truths: we, “His chosen ones,” and He, “the Lord our God” (vv. 6-7). John Calvin gives us a helpful hint that whenever the word “covenant” appears in Scripture, we ought to recall the word “grace.”

2. God’s Faithfulness in a World of Cares (vv. 12-25). The psalmist gives us a thumbnail sketch of our history, from the patriarchs to slavery in Egypt. How can we sum up life in this world? “Troubles,” says Psalm 105. Weakness (v. 12), vulnerability (v. 13), danger (vv. 14-15), acute need (v. 16), pain and suffering (vv. 17-18), persecution (v. 25)—these are the issues we face as God’s people. Yet God’s safekeeping stretches over them all, not promising that we’ll be untouched, but that we’ll always be in His hand.

Here’s the remarkable thing: God’s faithfulness is even shown in the very act of His ordaining cares to afflict His children! It was God’s plan for Joseph to be sold into slavery. It was God’s plan for the Egyptians to grow to hate the Israelites. But there were redemptive purposes in these hardships.

3. God’s Faithfulness in Deliverance (vv. 26-36). What is the greatest proof of God’s covenant fidelity? That He does whatever it takes to save us! A number (but not all) of the 10 plagues are mentioned in these verses, bracketed by the two most awesome, the ninth and tenth. God’s strong arm is on full display as He humiliates the most powerful man on earth and the so-called gods behind his throne. Even more, this points to a still fuller deliverance, that of the Lord Jesus who “disarmed principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them” at the cross (Col. 2:15). He had sent deliverers before (vv. 17, 26), but none that compares with the Lord of glory! Israel’s firstborn was spared; God’s firstborn wasn’t.

All of this was for a people not at all humble, compliant or upright. Is there any doubt that this whole salvation of ours must be entirely God’s work? No wonder it’s all about what “He” (notice the subject of the sentences throughout this psalm) has done!

4. God’s Faithfulness in Provision (vv. 37-45). Becoming a Christian is just the beginning. The Christian life isn’t meant to be a matter of coasting from the high point of our conversion to the finish line of our entrance into glory. God’s faithfulness is manifested in ongoing, daily blessing. “Silver and gold,” “quail,” “the bread of heaven,” and “water from the rock,” remind us that we are presently “blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). God has promised to “supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

And there is much blessing still to come! Land had a central place among the Old Testament promises, and in this psalm. What about for the New Testament believer? God does indeed have a place for us, of which Palestine was only a shadow. We yearn for this better country—a heavenly one—that Father and Son have prepared for us (John 14:2-3; Heb. 11:16). In closing, consider our response (vv. 1-5). What will we be when we’ve come to know this faithful God?

A proclaiming people—Verse 1 of this psalm was inscribed on Richard Baxter’s pulpit in Kidderminster. We “make known His deeds among the peoples” when we gather for worship, in our personal witness, and in the joyful, fruitful lives that we lead.

A praising people—The Lord has made us glad with the gospel of Christ. How often do we “remember His marvelous works”? The more we do so, the healthier and happier we are as believers.

A praying people—Present trust will mark our lives in the battles great and small that we face. We will “seek the Lord,” knowing that, though the world is crooked, and even “we are unfaithful, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim. 2:13).