Psalms

Psalms 105: The LORD remembers His holy covenant

Begin in prayer

Before we hear how God remembered His covenant through Israel's long journey, let us bring Him our doubts about His faithfulness. Pray for trust in Jesus and hearts that remember the covenant faithfulness of God with willing obedience.

Nothing failed of any good thing which Yahweh had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.

Joshua 21:45

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the Lord remembers His holy promise and delivers His people to live in obedience to His Word. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The song calls Abraham's offspring to seek the Lord, remember His wonders and make His deeds known among the peoples. He remembered the covenant given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, protecting their small wandering family under His promise of Canaan. He called famine and sent Joseph ahead through slavery and prison until His word proved him true and the king raised him to rule. Israel came to Egypt and grew strong, then God turned Egyptian hearts to hatred and sent Moses and Aaron with His wonders. Darkness, bloodied waters, frogs and insects answered His word before hail and locusts ruined crops and He struck all Egypt's firstborn. He brought Israel out with silver and gold, without feebleness, while fear made Egypt glad to see them depart. Cloud, fire, quail, heavenly bread and water from rock carried His remembering care toward the land He gave them so they would obey His laws.

As you read Psalms 105, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD remembers His covenant, ruling hardship and delivering His chosen people so they may obey His Word.

The call to remember God's wonders rests on His own remembering of a covenant that does not lose its force across generations. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob held His promise of Canaan while their small household lived there as foreigners under His protection from kings. Calling famine and sending Joseph ahead join hard circumstances to His purpose, with slavery and irons preceding the rule that would serve His people. His word proved Joseph true, and the king gave him authority to discipline princes and teach elders wisdom before Israel's family grew in Egypt. God's turning of Egyptian hearts to hatred shows hostility beneath His sovereign rule, answered by His sending Moses and Aaron. Darkness, water turned to blood and creatures invading royal rooms show the reach of judgments no ruler's home could exclude. Hail and locusts stripped the land before God killed its firstborn, then brought His people out enriched and strong while Egypt welcomed their departure. Wilderness covering, light, food and water continued the provision because He remembered His holy word to Abraham. The land and the labour of other peoples became Israel's inheritance so they would keep His statutes, making obedience the purpose of received deliverance.

How does Psalm 105 show us that the LORD remembers His covenant, ruling hardship and delivering His chosen people so they may obey His Word?

God's remembered covenant preserves His people through their wandering and hardship.

The promise passed from Abraham to Isaac and Jacob while their family lived as foreigners. God rebuked kings for their protection. The famine He called also stood within the remembered purpose that sent Joseph ahead.

God's word proves His servant true and gives him work that serves His people.

Joseph's slavery and painful irons preceded the moment when God's word proved him true. The king released him and gave him rule over his house. Authority to discipline princes and teach wisdom prepared a place where Israel came and God multiplied His people.

God's sovereign word judges Egypt and delivers His chosen people.

He turned Egyptian hearts to hatred and sent Moses and Aaron with His signs. Darkness and blood brought judgment, while frogs, flies and lice reached the land and royal rooms. Hail and lightning shattered trees, then countless locusts ate the remaining plants and fruit. God killed the firstborn and brought Israel out with silver and gold, no feeble tribesman remaining. Fear made Egypt glad to see them depart.

God's remembering care gives provision and an inheritance for obedient life.

Cloud and fire gave covering and light, while heavenly bread, quail and water answered their needs. He remembered His holy word to Abraham and brought His chosen people out singing. The land and others' labour were given so that they would keep His statutes and observe His laws.

Memorise

For he remembered his holy word, and Abraham, his servant.

Psalm 105:42

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what promise of Jesus am I doubting while His remembered works call me to trust?

The song explains God's provision, “For he remembered his holy word, and Abraham, his servant.” His covenant carried Israel through hardship to an inheritance. Galatians 3 verses 16 and 29 name Christ as the promised offspring and those belonging to Him as heirs.

Our sins have broken the commands of that faithful God. At the cross Jesus paid His people's debt by dying for their sins, securing forgiveness before the God whose promises never fail. He rose victorious from the grave. His completed obedience and sacrifice are enough for their acceptance and lasting inheritance, securing what guilty people could never earn.

Turn from your unbelief and trust Jesus Christ. All who come to Him receive pardon. Ask Him for faith that remembers His works and obedience that answers His grace. His holy promise holds His people through every hard stage, giving believers His mighty deeds to tell the next generation.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the Lord remembers His holy promise and delivers His people to live in obedience to His Word. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His remembered covenant and ask for trust and obedience through hardship. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad.”

John 8:56

Faithful Lord, please forgive our doubts and the commands we have ignored. Bring us to Jesus for the pardon and lasting inheritance His completed work provides. Teach us to remember Your mighty deeds and speak of them to the next generation. Give Your people trust through hardship, gratitude for provision and willing obedience to the Word You have kept. Amen.