Psalm 105 19

Psalm 105:19 kjv

Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.

Psalm 105:19 nkjv

Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him.

Psalm 105:19 niv

till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the LORD proved him true.

Psalm 105:19 esv

until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him.

Psalm 105:19 nlt

Until the time came to fulfill his dreams,
the LORD tested Joseph's character.

Psalm 105 verses

Psalm 105 19 Meaning

Psalm 105:19 conveys a profound truth about divine providence and preparation. It signifies that a specific period of trial and waiting was pre-ordained for Joseph, continuing until the prophecy or word he had received (his dreams) was brought to pass. During this interval, the very word or decree of the LORD served as a crucible, testing and refining Joseph, much like precious metals are purified by fire. This period of suffering and testing was integral to God's plan, preparing him for the significant role he was to play in the salvation of his family and the people of God.

Psalm 105 19 Context

Psalm 105 is a psalm of thanksgiving and historical recounting, calling God's people to remember His wonderful deeds and faithful covenant throughout their history. This specific verse, Psalm 105:19, falls within a section (verses 16-22) that elaborates on the story of Joseph, highlighting God's providential care in sending him ahead of the famine to preserve His people. The verse is pivotal as it describes the means by which Joseph was prepared for his future role. After being sold into slavery and falsely imprisoned, Joseph's character and faith were profoundly tested by the seemingly contradictory circumstances, all part of God's appointed time and plan to fulfill the early dreams he received and eventually deliver Israel.

Psalm 105 19 Word analysis

• Until (עַד, 'ad): This preposition denotes a boundary or terminus in time, highlighting a fixed, divinely appointed duration. It emphasizes that Joseph's period of suffering was not indefinite but had a specific, determined end set by God's perfect timing.
• the time (עֵת, 'eth): Refers to an appointed, specific, or opportune time. It's not a general passage of time, but God's precisely scheduled moment for events to unfold according to His sovereign plan.
• that his word (דְּבָרוֹ, də·ḇā·rō): This refers to the prophetic revelation or dreams given to Joseph in Gen 37. The "his" (suffixed -ō) indicates possession by Joseph, meaning the "word about him" or "the word that he possessed." It represents the divine promise or vision concerning his future exaltation and authority.
• came (בֹּא, ḇō): Means to arrive, come to pass, or be fulfilled. This signifies the point at which the previously given prophetic word transitioned from potentiality or promise into tangible reality.
• the word of the LORD (אִמְרַת יְהוָה, ʾimrat YHWH):
  • אִמְרַת (ʾimrat): This noun emphasizes a spoken utterance, a decree, an oracle, or a specific saying, distinguishing it from a broader concept of "word" (dabar). Here, it refers to the divine utterance or command of Yahweh that actively governed Joseph's circumstances.
  • YHWH: The sacred, covenantal name of God, emphasizing His unchanging, faithful, and sovereign character. This signifies that it was God Himself, in His covenant faithfulness, who orchestrated and carried out this process.
• tried him (צְרָפָתְהוּ, ṣə·rā·p̄āṯ·hū):
  • צְרָף (ṣārap̄): This verb is fundamentally about the refining process of metals, such as silver or gold. It involves intense heat to purge impurities and reveal purity. In a spiritual context, it signifies a severe testing, purifying, or proving of character and faith through adversity.
  • him: Refers to Joseph, the direct object of God's refining action.

Words-group Analysis

• "Until the time that his word came": This phrase highlights God's pre-ordained timeline and active sovereignty. Joseph held a divine promise (his dreams) for years, but its fulfillment was not immediate. This period underscores a season of divine waiting, preparation, and endurance before God's ultimate purpose is revealed and brought to fruition. It emphasizes that there is an appointed time for every promise of God to materialize.
• "the word of the LORD tried him": This second part identifies the active agent and nature of Joseph's experience during his waiting period. It wasn't simply circumstances, but the very "word" or divine decree of the LORD that served as the refining instrument. The divine promise itself became a source of testing, requiring faith amidst trials that directly contradicted the vision. This indicates that God's sovereign decrees not only orchestrate events but also purify and strengthen the individuals within those events, preparing them for the roles He intends.

Psalm 105 19 Bonus section

The concept of God's word (or even His silence/absence of fulfillment) "trying" a person is powerful. It suggests that the promises of God, though encouraging, also bring a burden of faith and perseverance until their realization. The very nature of a future promise in the midst of present hardship becomes the furnace. Furthermore, this verse underscores that God's plan is meticulous and inclusive of all human experience, transforming even profound suffering into a necessary phase of spiritual development. It’s a divine apprenticeship.

Psalm 105 19 Commentary

Psalm 105:19 is a profound statement about divine discipline and preparation. It reveals that Joseph's years of hardship—from being sold by his brothers to unjust imprisonment—were not accidental misfortunes but part of God's purposeful design. The "word" refers both to Joseph's early prophetic dreams and the unfolding divine decree over his life. This verse indicates that God’s own promise or purpose acted as the refining fire. His character, patience, and faithfulness were rigorously tested and purified. The experience served to strip away self-reliance and forge within him the humility, wisdom, and resilience necessary for the immense responsibility of governing Egypt and saving Israel. It teaches us that periods of obscurity, trial, and perceived abandonment can be God's precise means of shaping His servants for future anointing and significant service.