Psalm 105 45

Psalm 105:45 kjv

That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 105:45 nkjv

That they might observe His statutes And keep His laws. Praise the LORD!

Psalm 105:45 niv

that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws. Praise the LORD.

Psalm 105:45 esv

that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the LORD!

Psalm 105:45 nlt

All this happened so they would follow his decrees
and obey his instructions.
Praise the LORD!

Psalm 105 verses

Psalm 105 45 Meaning

Psalm 105:45 states the divine purpose behind God's magnificent acts of deliverance and provision for Israel: that they might observe His statutes and keep His laws. This verse reveals that God's intervention, granting them land and prosperity (as described in the preceding verses), was not an end in itself but a means to establish a people who would live in obedience to His covenant commands. The ultimate goal of His saving work is the holiness and righteousness of His people, culminating in a resounding call to "Praise the Lord!" acknowledging His character and purposes.

Psalm 105 45 Context

Psalm 105 is a historical psalm, recounting God's covenant faithfulness and mighty works from Abraham's calling through the Exodus and the establishment of Israel in the land of Canaan. It traces God's unfailing commitment to His promises despite various challenges, showcasing His sovereignty and miraculous provision (e.g., Joseph's elevation, the plagues in Egypt, parting the Red Sea, manna, water from the rock). The psalm highlights that God chose Abraham, made a covenant with him and his descendants, preserved them through famine, rescued them from slavery, provided for them in the wilderness, and ultimately brought them into the promised land. Verse 44 declares that God "gave them the lands of the nations, And they inherited the labor of the peoples," detailing the culmination of His powerful acts. Psalm 105:45, therefore, serves as the climactic teleological statement, revealing the overarching purpose for all these grand salvific interventions. It frames God's historical redemption not as an end in itself, but as foundational for His people's covenantal obedience, making it clear that their inheritance of the land was conditional upon their living according to divine decree. The final "Halleluyah" acts as both a response to this revealed purpose and a general acclamation of praise for God's nature and actions.

Psalm 105 45 Word analysis

• that they might: (לְמַעַן - lema'an) This Hebrew conjunction clearly expresses purpose or intent. It indicates that all of God's prior acts of deliverance and provision (from the beginning of the psalm up to verse 44, including giving them the land) were not arbitrary or solely for their comfort, but were specifically directed towards enabling their obedience. It establishes a theological teleology – a divine end goal.
• observe: (יִשְׁמְרוּ - yishmeru, from שָׁמַר - shamar) This verb means "to keep, guard, watch over, pay attention to, observe meticulously." It implies more than mere intellectual awareness; it demands active attention, diligence, and protection of what is given. In a covenant context, it means to heed and obey diligently. This word emphasizes careful adherence and preservation of the instructions.
• His statutes: (חֻקָּיו - chukkaiv, from חֹק - choq) Refers to God's fixed decrees, ordinances, or established rules. These are often seen as divine pronouncements or requirements that establish moral and religious boundaries. They reflect God's authority and wisdom, prescribing a particular way of life. These are the fixed, immutable aspects of God's will.
• and keep: (וְתוֹרוֹתָיו יִנְצֹרוּ - v'torotaiv yintzoru. yintzoru from נָצַר - natzar) This verb is often translated "to guard, preserve, watch, protect." While similar to shamar, natzar can carry a stronger sense of safeguarding or protecting something precious from harm or decay. The parallelism with shamar emphasizes a comprehensive, vigilant obedience, both actively observing and carefully preserving God's instructions.
• His laws: (וְתוֹרוֹתָיו - v'torotaiv, from תּוֹרָה - torah) In its broadest sense, Torah means "instruction" or "teaching," encompassing God's entire divine revelation and guidance given to His people. While it can refer to the Pentateuch, here it generally signifies God's complete body of teaching, embodying His will for how His people should live.
• Praise the Lord!: (הַלְלוּיָהּ - Halleluyah) This is a direct command or exclamation meaning "Praise Yah!" or "Praise Jehovah!" It is a liturgical phrase, signaling both a concluding doxology and the appropriate human response to God's revealed character and purposes. It summarizes the ultimate, ongoing call for those who receive God's blessings.

• "that they might observe His statutes and keep His laws": This phrase reveals the telos (purpose) of all the historical redemptive acts described in Psalm 105. God's mighty interventions and gift of the land were not merely for Israel's physical benefit or comfort, but so that they might live in covenant obedience. This highlights that divine blessings and liberation are intrinsically linked to a life of submission to God's revealed will. The doubling of "observe" and "keep," and "statutes" and "laws," emphasizes the totality, diligence, and carefulness required in obeying God's commands—covering both specific decrees and the overall body of divine instruction. It forms an internal theological polemic against the idea that blessings are disconnected from righteous living or are simply for self-indulgence.
• "Praise the Lord!": This closing exclamatory phrase serves as the fitting response to God's ultimate purpose. It suggests that genuine praise is not just emotional gratitude but a joyful acknowledgment of God's holy nature and His wise design, which includes the command to obey. It concludes the narrative with the intended worshiper's posture. The Halleluyah psalms (104-106, 111-118, 135, 145-150) emphasize the praise aspect inherent in the covenant relationship.

Psalm 105 45 Bonus section

This verse reflects a foundational truth woven throughout Scripture: God’s salvific actions are always teleological, meaning they are purpose-driven. They aim at forming a people for Himself who will reflect His character and live according to His ways. The emphasis on "statutes" (chukkim) and "laws" (torot) signifies the comprehensiveness of God's divine revelation, covering moral, ceremonial, and social aspects. The Hebrew words shamar (observe/guard) and natzar (keep/preserve) used in parallelism further stress the active, careful, and perpetual nature of this expected obedience, implying an attitude of treasuring God's word. This principle remains vital for believers in the New Covenant, where the Law is no longer merely external but is written on hearts by the Holy Spirit (Jer 31:33), empowering genuine, internal obedience as a response to God's grace in Christ. The Psalm also contains a subtle polemic: unlike pagan deities demanding capricious acts, the God of Israel liberates His people not for their own selfish pursuits, but for the moral and holy purpose of a covenant relationship guided by clear, righteous laws, which ultimately leads to a life of true flourishing and worship.

Psalm 105 45 Commentary

Psalm 105:45 acts as the crucial summation of the entire psalm, providing the divinely intended rationale for all God's past mercies and powerful interventions. It refutes any notion that God's grace and provision were unconditional or without purpose. From calling Abraham and enduring Pharaoh, to miraculously providing in the desert and delivering the land, God's goal was the establishment of a people who would respond to His goodness with active obedience to His moral and ceremonial law. The "statutes" and "laws" are not burdensome restrictions but the means by which Israel could live as a holy nation, reflect God's character, and experience true blessing. The pairing of "observe" (shamar) and "keep" (natzar) emphasizes vigilant and comprehensive adherence, indicating both intellectual understanding and practical living out of God's commands. This obedience is not transactional earning of favor, but a natural and necessary expression of a covenant relationship initiated by God's faithfulness. The concluding "Praise the Lord!" affirms that obedience, rooted in understanding God's ultimate design, is the truest form of worship, acknowledging His worthiness not just for what He gives, but for who He is and the holy standards He establishes. This verse underscores a fundamental biblical principle: divine grace empowers human responsibility.

Examples for practical usage:

• Recognizing God's past blessings as motivation for present obedience.
• Understanding that our salvation in Christ leads to a life of good works, as God designed.
• Praising God for both His saving acts and the clear guidance of His Word.