Psalm 105 44

Psalm 105:44 kjv

And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;

Psalm 105:44 nkjv

He gave them the lands of the Gentiles, And they inherited the labor of the nations,

Psalm 105:44 niv

he gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for?

Psalm 105:44 esv

And he gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples' toil,

Psalm 105:44 nlt

He gave his people the lands of pagan nations,
and they harvested crops that others had planted.

Psalm 105 verses

Psalm 105 44 Meaning

Psalm 105:44 states that God gave the Israelites the territories belonging to other nations, allowing them to take possession of the produce and infrastructure created by these peoples. This verse is the culmination of God's faithful work in bringing His covenant people, Israel, into the promised land, demonstrating His divine provision and sovereign power in fulfilling His ancient promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It emphasizes that Israel’s inheritance was a gift, not earned through their own effort, but through the labor of the previous inhabitants whom God displaced.

Psalm 105 44 Context

Psalm 105 is a hymn of praise recounting God's faithful acts on behalf of His covenant people, Israel, from the time of Abraham to their settlement in the Promised Land. The psalm moves chronologically, highlighting pivotal moments: God's covenant with the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), the sojourn in Egypt, Joseph's providential role, the oppressive slavery, the mighty Exodus led by Moses and Aaron, the wilderness wanderings with miraculous provision, and finally, their entrance into and possession of Canaan. Verse 44 marks the climax of this historical narrative, signifying the complete fulfillment of God's land promise, leading directly into verse 45 which states the divine purpose for giving them the land—that they might observe His statutes and laws. The historical context is ancient Israel’s remembrance of God’s redemptive history, celebrating His unfailing covenant love and power.

Psalm 105 44 Word analysis

• And he gave: Hebrew: וַיִּתֵּן (va-yit-ten). This is a foundational verb emphasizing God's unilateral action. It means "to give" or "to grant." The use of the past tense signifies a completed divine act, portraying God as the sovereign giver and dispenser of blessings and inheritance. It underscores that the land was not earned by Israel's might or merit, but was a gracious bestowal.

• them: Refers directly to the Israelites, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the specific recipients of God's covenant promises concerning the land.

• the lands: Hebrew: אֲרָצוֹת (aratzot). Plural of "eretz," meaning "land" or "earth." The plural indicates the various territories, regions, and tribal areas that comprised Canaan, not just a single unified piece of ground.

• of the nations: Hebrew: גּוֹיִם (goyim). Refers to the Gentile or heathen peoples who previously inhabited Canaan (e.g., Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites, Girgashites). This highlights the concept of displacement—God's chosen people receiving what was previously possessed by others.

• and they inherited: Hebrew: וַיִּירְשׁוּ (vay-yirshu). From the root ירשׁ (yarash), meaning "to take possession," "to inherit," or "to dispossess." It implies a legal or covenantal right to ownership. It further reinforces the idea of God's direct agency; He granted them the legal claim and ability to take possession.

• the labor: Hebrew: יְגִיעַ (yegi'a). Meaning "toil," "produce," "earnings," "that which is acquired by labor." This refers to the tangible fruits of the previous inhabitants' work—developed fields, planted vineyards, built houses, dug cisterns, established cities, etc.

• of the peoples: Hebrew: לְאֻמִּים (l'ummim). A general term for "peoples" or "nations," often used synonymously with goyim. Its use here reiterates that Israel benefited from the infrastructure and development created by numerous diverse groups that previously occupied the land.

• Words-Group analysis:

  • "And he gave them the lands of the nations": This phrase highlights God's sovereignty and His role as the ultimate provider and controller of human history and territory. The land was not won by Israel's military might but was divinely appointed and gifted. It signifies God's fulfillment of His ancient oath, displacing those who inhabited the land previously.
  • "and they inherited the labor of the peoples": This powerfully underscores the extent of God's grace and provision. Israel did not have to start from scratch. They entered a developed land, benefiting directly from the hard work of the dispossessed nations. It implies a swift, established existence, where they immediately partook in already mature resources and infrastructure, further removing any basis for Israel's boasting in their own efforts.

Psalm 105 44 Bonus section

This verse implicitly challenges any self-aggrandizement on Israel's part. Their possession of the land was solely due to God's gracious intervention and not their superior strength or virtue, a point strongly emphasized in Deut 9:4-5. The land was given for a purpose beyond mere possession: it was intended to be the setting where God's people would live in covenant obedience, thereby demonstrating His glory and character to the surrounding nations. The detailed description of inheriting "labor" underscores the extraordinary extent of God's provision—He gave them immediate comfort and established infrastructure, symbolizing a blessing beyond what they could have built themselves. This specific kind of inheritance reinforces the concept of corporate inheritance, where an entire nation receives a collective blessing rooted in ancestral promises.

Psalm 105 44 Commentary

Psalm 105:44 provides a concise summation of a foundational truth in Israelite history: the land of Canaan was a divine inheritance, freely given by God. It culminates the narrative of God's faithful deliverance and provision, demonstrating His unswerving commitment to His covenant promises. The act of "giving" the land emphasizes God's sovereign initiative, while "inheriting the labor of the peoples" illustrates the comprehensive nature of this gift. Israel moved into prepared cities, tended fields, and cultivated vineyards, directly benefiting from the industry of the previous inhabitants. This wasn't merely a transfer of undeveloped territory but a full endowment of a thriving region. This detail serves to deflate any notion that Israel conquered the land by their own strength or merited it by their righteousness; rather, it was a pure act of grace. It also serves as a potent reminder of God's power over all nations, orchestrating the rise and fall of peoples to fulfill His divine plan for His chosen people, for the ultimate purpose of their living in obedience to His law (Psalm 105:45).