Psalm 105 42

Psalm 105:42 kjv

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

Psalm 105:42 nkjv

For He remembered His holy promise, And Abraham His servant.

Psalm 105:42 niv

For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham.

Psalm 105:42 esv

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

Psalm 105:42 nlt

For he remembered his sacred promise
to his servant Abraham.

Psalm 105 verses

Psalm 105 42 Meaning

Psalm 105:42 affirms that God’s providential actions throughout Israel's early history, culminating in the Exodus and settlement in the promised land, were direct fulfillments of His unwavering covenant made with Abraham. It highlights God's perfect memory and active faithfulness to His sacred word, demonstrating that His divine purposes are eternally secure and rooted in His unchangeable character rather than human merit or performance.

Psalm 105 42 Context

Psalm 105 is a hymn of thanksgiving, recounting God's glorious acts in Israel's history from the call of Abraham to the establishment in Canaan. It emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant and His sovereign guidance of His people. The psalm is an exhortation to "give thanks to the Lord, call on His name... make known His deeds among the peoples" (v. 1). Verses 7-11 establish God's eternal covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as the basis for Israel's identity and their promised inheritance. The subsequent verses (12-41) vividly describe God's providential care through the patriarchs' sojourns, Joseph's imprisonment and rise, the plagues in Egypt, the miraculous Exodus, the wilderness provisions (manna, water), and victory over enemies. Psalm 105:42 serves as the theological linchpin for this historical narrative, explaining the fundamental reason why God acted: His divine fidelity to His promise. It immediately precedes verses 43-45, which celebrate the outcome—God bringing His people out with joy, giving them the lands of the nations, so they might keep His statutes. Historically, such psalms reinforced Israel's identity as God's chosen people, founded not on their merit, but on God's unwavering word to Abraham. They likely functioned in communal worship, reminding the congregation of God's enduring covenant faithfulness in contrast to the capricious deities of surrounding cultures.

Psalm 105 42 Word analysis

• For he remembered (כִּֽי־זָכַר֙ – kī-zāḵar):

  • כִּֽי (kī): A particle often meaning "for," "because," or "indeed," introducing the reason or explanation for the preceding statements (all the mighty acts of God).
  • זָכַר (zāḵar): "To remember," "call to mind." In the biblical context, God's remembrance is never merely a passive recall of information. When God "remembers," it invariably implies active, purposeful intervention based on what is remembered. For instance, God "remembered" Noah (Gen 8:1) leading to the ark landing, and He "remembered" His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exod 2:24) leading to the Exodus. This underscores God's active involvement and initiation in fulfilling His word, even across vast spans of time. It reflects His immutable nature and purposeful sovereignty.

• his holy promise (דְּבַר קׇדְשׁוֹ֙ – d'ḇar qāḏšô):

  • דְּבַר (d'ḇar): From דָּבָר (davar): "Word," "matter," "thing," and here, "promise" or "declaration." It encompasses a divine decree, a covenant obligation, or a solemn pledge. God's "word" is inherently effective and brings about what it declares.
  • קׇדְשׁוֹ (qāḏšô): From קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh): "Holiness," "sanctuary." The suffix "o" means "his." Therefore, "His holiness." This phrase "holy promise" means a promise that proceeds from the very nature of God, which is sacred, set apart, pure, truthful, and inviolable. Its holiness guarantees its absolute certainty and immutability. It signifies that the promise is uncorrupted, entirely trustworthy, and bound by God's own sacred character.

• and Abraham his servant (אֶת־אַבְרָהָם֙ עַבְדּֽוֹ – et-ʾaḇrāhām ʻaḇdô):

  • אֶת־אַבְרָהָם֙ (et-ʾaḇrāhām): "Abraham." The specific patriarch and the primary human recipient of God's covenant. This grounds the promise in a specific, historical individual, establishing the continuity of God's redemptive plan through generations.
  • עַבְדּֽוֹ (ʻaḇdô): From עֶבֶד (‘eved): "Servant." The suffix "o" means "his." This title is a designation of honor and intimacy in biblical theology (e.g., Moses, David). It signifies a special relationship of chosenness, loyalty, and partnership. Abraham was obedient and trusting (Gen 22:18), and God in turn remained faithful to him and his descendants. This title highlights the personal, relational dimension of God’s covenant with Abraham, not merely a transactional agreement.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "For he remembered his holy promise": This phrase highlights the divine origin and steadfast nature of the covenant. God's remembrance implies His active will to uphold His covenant and intervenes on its behalf, showing His loyalty and truthfulness. It means His word is dependable because it stems from His holy nature.
  • "and Abraham his servant": This links the enduring covenant directly to its foundational human partner, emphasizing that the entire narrative of Israel's deliverance and land possession is rooted in God's specific and personal commitment to Abraham, through whom the chosen lineage would extend. It anchors God's cosmic plan in historical realities.

Psalm 105 42 Bonus section

• God's "Remembrance" as an Action: The Hebrew concept of zakhar ("remember") for God goes beyond human memory. It's an executive function; when God "remembers," He acts. It signifies a decisive shift from inactivity to intervention, specifically for the benefit of His covenant people. This is evident throughout the narratives of the Exodus, where "God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob" (Exod 2:24), leading directly to their deliverance.
• Polemic against Pagan Deities: This verse, and indeed the entire psalm, serves as an implicit polemic against the pagan gods of the ancient Near East. Unlike these deities who were often depicted as capricious, forgetful, or even bound by fate, Yahweh, the God of Israel, is portrayed as consistently faithful to His word and unwavering in His purposes, His "holy promise" being absolute and effective.
• The Unconditional Nature of the Promise: While Abraham responded in faith, the Abrahamic covenant itself is often seen as largely unconditional from God's side (e.g., Gen 15, the "smoking fire pot" passing between the pieces). Psalm 105:42 reiterates this; God remembers His holy promise, emphasizing His own commitment as the driving force behind Israel's blessings and inheritance, not their continuous obedience.
• The Continuity of the Covenant: The New Testament strongly connects the Abrahamic covenant to Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ultimate "seed" of Abraham (Gal 3:16) through whom the promise of blessing to "all nations" is fulfilled. Thus, God's remembrance of "Abraham His servant" finds its most profound fulfillment in the redemptive work of Christ, extending the promised blessings to all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike.

Psalm 105 42 Commentary

Psalm 105:42 acts as the explanatory core of the entire psalm, succinctly stating the ultimate reason for God's extraordinary interventions in Israel's history: His unfailing fidelity to His own word. The phrase "For He remembered His holy promise" is paramount. God's "remembrance" is not a fleeting thought, but a resolute, active engagement with His sworn commitment. It means His prior promises drive His present actions. The "holy promise" refers to the covenant with Abraham, which was established through God’s divine, unchangeable, and perfect nature. This promise, sealed by His holiness, ensures its ultimate fulfillment regardless of human circumstance or lapse. The designation "Abraham His servant" underscores the personal, intimate nature of this covenant. Abraham was chosen, honored, and walked in faith, and God responded with steadfast loyalty to him and his lineage. This verse thus profoundly assures us of God's covenantal integrity, providing a foundation for trust in all His promises. When facing doubts, it calls us to recall that God’s character, eternally holy and faithful, guarantees the certainty of His every word.