Psalms 105:1-2
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The call to "make known his deeds among the peoples" isn't just about sharing stories of God's past actions; it’s about letting those deeds themselves reveal who God is to the world. God's actions are His most powerful message, speaking volumes about His character more than any words we might use on our own.
This psalm is a powerful call to remember and proclaim God's faithfulness, especially His mighty acts in delivering and guiding Israel. It begins with a vibrant exhortation to give thanks, invoke God's name, and make His deeds known among all peoples, setting the stage for a recounting of His wondrous history with Abraham's descendants. The focus isn't just on past events, but on how remembering these actions should shape present worship and future hope.
Why does the Psalmist start this song with such an urgent call to give thanks? It's more than just politeness; it's the very engine of our faith.
A Divine Invitation
The very first words of Psalm 105, "Oh give thanks to the LORD," aren't just a suggestion; they're an invitation, a command even, from God Himself. This isn't a passive activity; it's an active, intentional response to who God is and what He has done. Think of it like this: when you truly grasp the incredible love and faithfulness of God, your heart naturally overflows with thanksgiving. This psalm is calling us to awaken that natural response within us.
Thanksgiving as Foundation
This isn't just about saying 'thank you' for blessings. It's about recognizing that God's faithfulness is the bedrock of our existence and our faith. The scholars point out that this psalm looks back at God's mighty acts, especially His deliverance of Israel. When we remember these acts, we see a pattern of God's consistent character: He is faithful, He is powerful, and He loves His people. This historical perspective fuels a deeper, more robust thanksgiving that grounds us in God's unchanging nature.
We're not meant to keep God's goodness a secret. This psalm has a global vision for God's story.
More Than Just 'His People'
The verse doesn't just say to make God's deeds known 'among us' or 'in our community.' It specifically says "among the peoples!" This is a powerful reminder that God's story isn't just for one nation or one group; it's meant to be shared. It points to a vision where all nations can hear about the wonderful things God has done.
Actions Speak Louder
How do we make His deeds known? The commentators suggest it's by proclaiming His name and His powerful actions. It's about telling the story of God's faithfulness, His justice, and His mercy. When we share what God has done, we're not just recounting history; we're revealing His character and His power to a world that desperately needs to know Him. Our lives and our words become the message.
Understand the original words
yadah · Hebrew Verb
The Hebrew word 'yadah' implies an outward expression of praise, often involving the lifting of hands, acknowledging God's character and actions with gratitude.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the covenant name of God (YHWH), the self-existent One who reveals Himself to His people. It signifies His authority, presence, and personal relationship with those He redeems.
qara beshem · Hebrew Verb phrase
In a biblical sense, to 'call upon the name' is to invoke God’s presence, appeal to His character, and establish a relationship of prayerful dependence on Him.
alilah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the objective acts of God in history, displaying His power, sovereignty, and faithfulness in fulfilling His purposes among humanity.
This psalm is a call to remember and proclaim God's faithfulness, particularly His powerful deliverance of Israel from Egypt. It encourages a continual recounting of these deeds to remember God's covenant and His character.
~2000 BC
God's Covenant with Abraham
God establishes a foundational covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants and a land. This marks the beginning of God's special relationship with a chosen people.
~1500 BC
Israel's Enslavement in Egypt
After generations, the descendants of Abraham become a vast people enslaved in Egypt, facing harsh oppression.
~1446 BC— this verse
The Exodus from Egypt
God dramatically liberates the Israelites from slavery through Moses, performing mighty acts that are to be remembered and proclaimed.
~1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following their exodus, the Israelites, under Joshua, conquer the Promised Land, taking possession of territories they did not build.
This passage directly echoes Psalm 105:1, using the same powerful call to 'give thanks to the LORD' and 'call upon his name,' highlighting this as a foundational expression of faith.
1 Chronicles 16:8This verse, part of a larger hymn of thanksgiving, shares the same exhortation to 'give thanks to the LORD' and 'call upon his name,' emphasizing the importance of remembering and proclaiming God's deeds.
Deuteronomy 4:9This verse urges Israel to 'take utmost care and keep diligently the thing that your soul may not go out from before your eyes' concerning God's deeds, similar to Psalm 105:1's call to make known His deeds.
Psalm 71:18This verse expresses a similar desire to declare God's strength and mighty acts to future generations, underscoring the continuous need to make known God's deeds across time.
Psalm 9:11This passage calls for giving thanks and making known God's deeds among the peoples, reinforcing the communal and outward-focused aspect of worship found in Psalm 105:1.
clarkePsalms 105:1: "O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people."
O give thanks - He had been meditating on God's gracious dealings with their fathers; and he calls upon himself and all others to magnify God for his mercies.
ellicottPsalms 105:1: "O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people."
(1) Call upon his name. —Literally, on (or, with ) his name (comp. Psalm 105:3 , “glory in”), with idea of proclamation as well as invocation. Symmachus has “proclaim his name.” This verse, which is found word for word in Isaiah 12:4 , is apparently one of the recognised doxologies of the Hebrew Church.
The call to "make known his deeds among the peoples" isn't just about sharing stories of God's past actions; it’s about letting those deeds themselves reveal who God is to the world. God's actions are His most powerful message, speaking volumes about His character more than any words we might use on our own.
This psalm is a powerful call to remember and proclaim God's faithfulness, especially His mighty acts in delivering and guiding Israel. It begins with a vibrant exhortation to give thanks, invoke God's name, and make His deeds known among all peoples, setting the stage for a recounting of His wondrous history with Abraham's descendants. The focus isn't just on past events, but on how remembering these actions should shape present worship and future hope.
This psalm is a powerful call to remember and proclaim God's faithfulness, especially His mighty acts in delivering and guiding Israel. It begins with a vibrant exhortation to give thanks, invoke God's name, and make His deeds known among all peoples, setting the stage for a recounting of His wondrous history with Abraham's descendants. The focus isn't just on past events, but on how remembering these actions should shape present worship and future hope.
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niphla'ah · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Refers to the extraordinary or astonishing acts of God that inspire awe and amazement because they transcend the ordinary course of nature.
c. 1000 BC
David Establishes Jerusalem
King David brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, a significant moment for Israelite worship and national identity.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Exile Begins
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, marking the beginning of a period of exile for many Israelites.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile
Jerusalem and the Southern Kingdom of Judah fall to the Babylonians, leading to a more widespread exile and the destruction of the Temple.
"Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!" — The call to "make known his deeds among the peoples" isn't just about sharing stories of God's past actions; it’s about letting those deeds themselves reveal who God is to the world. God's actions ar…
