This psalm doesn't just call us to thank God; it urges us to be His messengers, actively proclaiming His powerful deeds to all people, not just within our own community. It highlights that God’s actions are His revelation, and our job is to tell that story so others can know Him.
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! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm opens with a vibrant call to worship, urging the people of Abraham to give thanks, call on God's name, and proclaim His mighty acts. It sets the stage for recounting God's faithfulness and wonders throughout Israel's history, contrasting this with the people's own faithfulness or lack thereof, as seen in the companion Psalm 106. The following verses will then delve into specific historical events that illustrate God's covenantal love and power.
Why does the psalm start with such an emphatic call to give thanks? It's more than just saying 'thank you.'
Psalm 105 opens with a powerful directive: "Oh give thanks to the LORD." This isn't just a polite suggestion; it's the foundational posture of faith.
The 'Why'
This opening isn't just about looking back; it sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s the necessary first step before we can truly 'call upon His name' or 'make known His deeds.'
What does it really mean to 'call upon His name'? It's a concept echoed throughout Scripture, but what's its depth here?
The command to 'call upon his name' is directly linked to giving thanks. It’s not just about asking for things; it’s about actively engaging with God based on who He is.
Invocation and Proclamation
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This isn't a passive act; it’s an active invocation and proclamation, recognizing His authority and worthiness.
Why is it so crucial to 'make known his deeds among the peoples'? What's the purpose behind this outward focus?
The final command in this powerful opening verse is to 'make known his deeds among the peoples.' This shifts the focus from personal devotion to outward witness.
The Global Mission
This command underscores that our faith isn't meant to be kept private. It's a story of God's faithfulness that deserves to be told.
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.
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.
halal · Hebrew Verb
To 'glory' in something means to boast, exult, or find one's primary satisfaction and source of pride in that subject, specifically here in the character of God.
qodesh · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Refers to God’s essential nature—His absolute purity, separateness from sin, and supreme moral perfection that demands reverence.
lebab · Hebrew Noun
In Scripture, the heart is the center of the human will, intellect, and emotion; it is the seat of a person's deepest commitment and true spiritual condition.
samach · Hebrew Verb
A state of intense gladness or joy experienced by the believer, rooted in the security of God’s character and the reality of His works.
darash · Hebrew Verb
To seek the Lord is to pursue Him as the highest priority, requiring an intentional turning of the soul toward Him to experience intimacy and guidance.
panim · Hebrew Noun
Refers to God’s manifest presence—the reality of Him being 'with' His people. It is the object of the believer’s longing and the source of true spiritual life.
zakar · Hebrew Verb
A command to perform the cognitive act of recalling God's past faithfulness, preventing spiritual amnesia and grounding current faith in God’s proven record.
mopheth · Hebrew Noun
Supernatural events or signs that manifest God’s power, intended to reveal His sovereignty and provide evidence of His active intervention in the world.
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
These are God’s divine decrees or legal decisions, representing His standard of justice and righteousness applied to the affairs of humanity.
This psalm, calling for remembrance and proclamation of God's deeds, likely served as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness during or after the Babylonian exile. It anchors the people in their history of divine deliverance, offering hope and encouraging trust in God's ongoing covenant promises.
c. 1846 BC
Abraham called to leave Ur
God calls Abraham from his homeland to a new land, initiating a covenant relationship and promising to make him a great nation. This marks the foundational event for Israel's unique identity.
c. 1800-1700 BC
Joseph sold into slavery
Joseph, son of Jacob, is sold into slavery in Egypt, eventually rising to a position of power. His story foreshadows Israel's later sojourn and eventual enslavement in Egypt.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
The Exodus from Egypt
God dramatically delivers the Israelites from over 400 years of slavery in Egypt through miraculous plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. This is a central act of deliverance celebrated in the Psalms.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan
After 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites, led by Joshua, conquer and settle in the Promised Land, fulfilling God's covenant promises to Abraham.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom established
The establishment of a united monarchy under King David, with Jerusalem as the capital, creates a stable national and religious center for Israel.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling many Israelites. This period of judgment serves as a stark contrast to God's faithfulness, prompting reflection on His past deeds.
This passage shares the exact wording of Psalms 105:1, highlighting it as a recognized doxology and important call to both praise and proclamation within Israel's worship.
1 Chronicles 16:8-10This section is part of a hymn used when the Ark was brought to Jerusalem, echoing the same exhortation to give thanks, call on God's name, and make His deeds known among the peoples.
Deuteronomy 4:9-10This passage from the Law emphasizes the importance of remembering and teaching God's deeds to future generations, mirroring the call in Psalms 105:1 to make His deeds known.
Psalm 9:11This verse also calls for giving thanks and making known God's deeds among the nations, reinforcing the missional aspect present in Psalms 105:1.
Colossians 3:16The New Testament continues this theme, urging believers to let the word of Christ dwell richly among them, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, which includes making known God's deeds through worship.
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.
This psalm doesn't just call us to thank God; it urges us to be His messengers, actively proclaiming His powerful deeds to all people, not just within our own community. It highlights that God’s actions are His revelation, and our job is to tell that story so others can know Him.
This psalm opens with a vibrant call to worship, urging the people of Abraham to give thanks, call on God's name, and proclaim His mighty acts. It sets the stage for recounting God's faithfulness and wonders throughout Israel's history, contrasting this with the people's own faithfulness or lack thereof, as seen in the companion Psalm 106. The following verses will then delve into specific historical events that illustrate God's covenantal love and power.
This psalm opens with a vibrant call to worship, urging the people of Abraham to give thanks, call on God's name, and proclaim His mighty acts. It sets the stage for recounting God's faithfulness and wonders throughout Israel's history, contrasting this with the people's own faithfulness or lack thereof, as seen in the companion Psalm 106. The following verses will then delve into specific historical events that illustrate God's covenantal love and power.
"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! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the…" — This psalm doesn't just call us to thank God; it urges us to be His messengers, actively proclaiming His powerful deeds to all people, not just within our own community. It highlights that God’s ac…
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Last reviewed October 2026
