Psalm 105 20

Psalm 105:20 kjv

The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.

Psalm 105:20 nkjv

The king sent and released him, The ruler of the people let him go free.

Psalm 105:20 niv

The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples set him free.

Psalm 105:20 esv

The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free;

Psalm 105:20 nlt

Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free;
the ruler of the nation opened his prison door.

Psalm 105 verses

Psalm 105 20 Meaning

Psalm 105:20 describes the authoritative act of Pharaoh, the reigning monarch of Egypt, in releasing Joseph from his unjust imprisonment. This moment signifies a divine turning point in Joseph's life, demonstrating God's faithful orchestration of events to elevate Joseph from a dungeon to a position of immense power, ultimately for the salvation of many. The verse emphasizes that even the most powerful human rulers are instruments in God's sovereign hand, acting precisely as He wills to fulfill His redemptive purposes.

Psalm 105 20 Context

Psalm 105 is a hymn of thanksgiving and historical praise, detailing God's faithfulness to His covenant people, Israel. It chronologically recounts significant events, beginning with the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and tracing God's miraculous provisions and interventions. The preceding verses (17-19) specifically narrate the dire circumstances of Joseph: being sold into slavery by his brothers, enduring the affliction of fetters, and being confined in an iron collar in a dungeon. Psalm 105:20 marks the dramatic turning point from this profound suffering, showing Pharaoh's direct action to release Joseph. This immediate liberation from prison is presented as a crucial step orchestrated by God, preparing Joseph for his subsequent elevation to a position of power and the eventual migration of the Israelites into Egypt, laying the groundwork for the grand Exodus narrative that follows in the psalm. The verse subtly underscores that even the most formidable human authority, like that of Pharaoh, operates completely within the sovereign will and plan of the Living God.

Psalm 105 20 Word analysis

• The king (מֶלֶךְ, melekh): This refers to Pharaoh, the most powerful ruler of his time in the ancient Near East. The definite article "the" highlights his specific identity as a paramount authority figure. Yet, the psalm's larger context consistently places God above all earthly power.
• sent (שָׁלַח, shalach): Signifies an active command and deliberate initiation. Pharaoh actively dispatched someone to summon Joseph. In the divine narrative, this 'sending' is not arbitrary but part of God's overarching decree, as seen in Ps 105:17 where God "sent a man before them, Joseph."
• and released him (וַיַּתִּירֵהוּ, vayattîrēhū from נָתַר, natar): The root natar means "to loose, untie, free, cast off." This verb suggests the untying of Joseph's bonds and his liberation from literal physical constraints and chains, implying an unburdening and immediate freedom from physical imprisonment.
• the ruler of peoples (מֹשֵׁל עַמִּים, moshel ‘ammîm): This title emphasizes Pharaoh's vast jurisdiction and dominion not just over his own people, but over various nations and tribes within his sphere of influence. This phrase serves to underscore the magnitude of the authority making the command, which further highlights God's even greater sovereign control over such mighty figures.
• set him free (וַיְפַתְּחֵהוּ, vaypattḥēhū from פָּתַח, patach): The root patach means "to open, loosen, break open." This specific verb indicates opening a locked door, gate, or in this context, the prison. It speaks to Joseph being let out of his confinement, granted egress from the place of incarceration, ensuring his complete release and unrestricted liberty.
• words-group: "The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples set him free": This is a prime example of Hebrew parallelism, common in poetic and prophetic literature. The second clause reiterates and reinforces the first, amplifying the message. The dual description of Pharaoh ("the king" and "the ruler of peoples") emphasizes his singular, formidable power. The use of two distinct but complementary verbs for "release" (natar and patach) vividly portrays the totality and decisiveness of Joseph's liberation. This literary device underscores the divinely orchestrated dramatic shift in Joseph's fortune, affirming that the ultimate secular power was acting under divine commission to achieve a spiritual purpose.

Psalm 105 20 Bonus section

The carefully chosen and repeated descriptions of Pharaoh as "the king" and "the ruler of peoples" not only emphasize his authority but also provide a subtle theological counterpoint. In ancient Egypt, Pharaoh was often seen as a divine figure or at least possessing divine connections. By showing this powerful ruler, one worshipped by his own people, being compelled by God to release Joseph, the psalm implicitly demonstrates God's ultimate supremacy over all human and perceived divine powers, including the deities of Egypt. This makes the verse an indirect polemic, asserting the unrivaled sovereignty of the God of Israel. Joseph's release also marks the transition from his personal trial (which had served to test and refine him as per Ps 105:19) to his preparation for national leadership, revealing how God's testing leads to ultimate triumph and service.

Psalm 105 20 Commentary

Psalm 105:20 succinctly encapsulates a moment of divine turnaround in Joseph's life. Following a period of severe suffering and testing, Pharaoh's decisive act of release transforms Joseph's circumstances entirely. While outwardly appearing as a command from a human monarch, the psalm consistently frames such events as being utterly within God's sovereign control. The descriptive titles given to Pharaoh—"the king" and "the ruler of peoples"—serve to magnify the authority of the one making the command, thereby subtly elevating the ultimate power of God, who guides even the hearts of kings (Prov 21:1). The dual Hebrew verbs signifying release underscore the comprehensive nature of Joseph's liberation: he was not only unfettered but fully permitted to depart from confinement. This moment is not merely a historical recounting but a powerful illustration of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His ability to turn affliction into promotion. Joseph's dramatic liberation prefigures God's grander deliverance of His people from Egyptian bondage and ultimately serves as a type of the spiritual freedom Christ offers through His redemption.

• Practical example: When facing dire limitations or unjust confinement (spiritual, emotional, or even physical), this verse offers hope that God can prompt even unexpected, powerful human agents to bring about complete liberation and breakthrough.
• Practical example: It teaches reliance not on the apparent strength of worldly leaders, but on the ultimate sovereign God who directs all authority for His righteous ends.