Psalm 105 5

Psalm 105:5 kjv

Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

Psalm 105:5 nkjv

Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,

Psalm 105:5 niv

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

Psalm 105:5 esv

Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,

Psalm 105:5 nlt

Remember the wonders he has performed,
his miracles, and the rulings he has given,

Psalm 105 verses

Psalm 105 5 Meaning

Psalm 105:5 is a powerful imperative calling God's people to actively recall and reflect upon the Lord's extraordinary deeds, His miraculous acts of power, and the righteous decrees or interventions He has uttered and performed. It serves as a command to remember the saving history of Israel, emphasizing both God's ability to act supernaturally and His steadfast character as a just and sovereign ruler. This remembrance is not merely intellectual recall, but a foundational act for worship, trust, and continued covenant fidelity.

Psalm 105 5 Context

Psalm 105 is a historical psalm, recounting God's steadfast faithfulness to His covenant people, Israel, from the call of Abraham through the Exodus, the wilderness wanderings, and their entry into the land of Canaan. It begins with an exhortation to praise the Lord and make His deeds known among the peoples (v. 1). Verse 5 is nestled within this introductory call to worship (vv. 1-6) before the psalm dives into the narrative of God's redemptive history. The historical recount serves to highlight God's unchanging character and His ultimate sovereignty over human affairs, demonstrating how He fulfilled His promises despite human weakness and opposition. The imperative in verse 5 is thus an active invitation to the worshipping community to continually root their faith and identity in God's demonstrated power, justice, and faithfulness, as evidenced by His past actions and pronouncements.

Psalm 105 5 Word analysis

• Remember (זָכַר - zakhar): More than a mere intellectual recollection; it implies active engagement with the memory. It involves bringing God's acts into the present, contemplating them deeply, recounting them, and allowing them to shape one's current behavior, trust, and worship. This verb often carries the connotation of living in light of past events and their significance, preventing forgetfulness that leads to apostasy or disobedience (Deut 4:9; 6:12).

• his wonderful works (פְּלָאֹותיו - pela'av - singular 'wonderful work' or 'wonder'): The Hebrew noun pele' denotes something extraordinary, marvelous, or incomprehensible by human means – a miracle. It emphasizes the supernatural character of God's acts, those that transcend the natural order and reveal divine power.

• that he has done (אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה - 'asher 'asah): This phrase highlights God's agency. It explicitly states that God is the active initiator and performer of these wonders. It's His work, not by chance or human might, emphasizing His sovereignty.

• his wonders (נִפְלָאֹותיו - nifla'otav - plural 'wonders', literally 'His wonderful things'): While very similar to "wonderful works," nifla'ot (from the root pala') is often used in the plural to refer to specific, awe-inspiring manifestations of God's power and greatness, often in a salvific context. It encapsulates the astonishing nature of His deeds, invoking a sense of awe and reverent fear. It refers to the effect or outcome of His miraculous activity, visible deeds like the plagues or the parting of the Red Sea.

• and the judgments of his mouth (וּמִשְׁפְּטֵי פִּיו - u-mishpetei piv):

  • Judgments (מִשְׁפָּט - mishpat): This rich Hebrew term can refer to several things: divine decrees, ordinances, just rulings, or acts of divine justice. In this context, it encompasses God's pronouncements of law and truth, His righteous decisions that are put into effect, and His interventions on behalf of His people or against their oppressors. It speaks of God's moral governance of the world, His just character manifested in His actions.
  • of his mouth (פִּיו - piv): This phrase explicitly connects the "judgments" to God's spoken word. It signifies divine authority and the active execution of His verbal decrees. What God says, He does. This could refer to the giving of the Law, promises made, or prophetic pronouncements that find their fulfillment in historical events. It emphasizes God's direct and personal involvement in enacting justice and order through His spoken word.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Remember his wonderful works that he has done, his wonders": This grouping emphasizes God's active, historical intervention through supernatural power. It underscores the visual, tangible aspects of His redemptive acts that inspire awe and reverence. It's a dual call to recall both the extraordinary nature of God's deeds and their specific historical occurrences.
  • "and the judgments of his mouth": This phrase introduces a different, yet complementary, aspect of divine action. It points to God's governance, righteousness, and His authoritative word. It ensures that remembering God's power is balanced with understanding His moral character and His just decrees, which establish order and ensure righteousness in His kingdom. These are not merely arbitrary displays of power, but acts rooted in His holy and just character as declared by Himself.

Psalm 105 5 Bonus section

The strong parallel between Ps 105:5 and 1 Chr 16:12 highlights its significance. First Chronicles 16 provides the context of this specific exhortation being uttered during a great celebration when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem under King David, signifying the re-establishment of centralized worship. This demonstrates that the command to "remember" God's works and judgments was integral to collective worship and praise within Israel from an early period. It underlines that this isn't just a private spiritual exercise, but a communal responsibility, contributing to the identity and continuous spiritual formation of the people of God. The pairing of "wonders" and "judgments" illustrates a comprehensive view of God's activity – encompassing both His astonishing, awe-inspiring power and His consistent, morally ordered governance of the world, showing Him to be both mighty and righteous.

Psalm 105 5 Commentary

Psalm 105:5 is a direct summons to a specific form of memory, not just casual recollection, but an active, spiritual, and community-shaping remembrance. It calls for recalling both the astonishing power God has demonstrated through His "wonderful works" and "wonders," which defy natural explanation and reveal His might, as well as His ethical governance manifested in "the judgments of his mouth," referring to His righteous decrees and decisive actions based on His declared will. This instruction underscores that true faith is rooted in the past, understanding God as the doer of powerful and just acts in history. It fosters gratitude, builds confidence in God's faithfulness for the present and future, and encourages obedience, as remembering His judgments guides ethical conduct. This theological memory forms the basis for praise and national identity, connecting successive generations to the covenant history and to God's unchanging character. It reminds the audience that their existence and blessings are direct results of God's miraculous and just intervention.