Psalm 105 9

Psalm 105:9 kjv

Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;

Psalm 105:9 nkjv

The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac,

Psalm 105:9 niv

the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.

Psalm 105:9 esv

the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac,

Psalm 105:9 nlt

This is the covenant he made with Abraham
and the oath he swore to Isaac.

Psalm 105 verses

Psalm 105 9 Meaning

Psalm 105:9 underscores the enduring, sovereign commitment of God to His chosen people by reaffirming His foundational covenant with Abraham and His solemn oath specifically extended to Isaac. It emphasizes the unwavering faithfulness of the Almighty and the absolute certainty of His promises, which form the bedrock of Israel's national identity, their inheritance of the land, and the lineage through which future blessings would flow. This verse highlights the divine reliability upon which all of Israel’s historical narrative and future hope are built, serving as a powerful reminder of God's steadfast character.

Psalm 105 9 Context

Psalm 105 is a liturgical psalm, primarily a song of thanksgiving and historical praise, similar in theme to Psalm 78 and Psalm 106. It recounts the glorious works of Yahweh from the calling of Abraham up to the settlement of the Israelites in the promised land. The psalm serves as a communal declaration of God’s covenant faithfulness, designed to instruct and remind the people of their rich spiritual heritage and God's consistent provision and protection. Verses 8-11 specifically lay the groundwork for this historical narrative by establishing the foundation: God's eternal covenant with Abraham, confirmed with Isaac and then Jacob (Israel), serving as the unchangeable basis for all subsequent events recounted in the psalm, particularly the giving of the land.

Psalm 105 9 Word analysis

• the covenant (בְּרִית, berit):
  • This term signifies a formal, binding agreement, but in a divine context, it denotes a unilateral pledge initiated by God Himself.
  • Unlike human treaties, God's covenant here is primarily a relational commitment and promise, emphasizing His steadfast love and purpose.
  • It encompasses specific promises of land, innumerable descendants (seed), and universal blessing through Abraham's line.
• which He made (כָּרַת, karat):
  • Literally means "cut" or "hewed." This refers to the ancient practice of cutting sacrificial animals into two pieces, with covenanting parties passing between them.
  • It symbolized that if one broke the covenant, they would be similarly divided.
  • In Gen 15, God alone, represented by a smoking pot and a flaming torch, passed between the pieces, indicating He took the full responsibility for upholding the covenant, assuring its fulfillment regardless of human actions.
• with Abraham (אברהם, Avraham):
  • The first patriarch, chosen by God (Gen 12) as the recipient of extensive promises that initiated the covenant relationship with Israel.
  • His name means "father of many nations," signifying the broad scope of God's salvific plan that would ultimately extend beyond physical Israel.
• and His oath (וּשְׁבוּעָתוֹ, u'shvu'ato):
  • An oath is a solemn vow, a declaration confirmed by an appeal to a higher power or, in God's case, by Himself.
  • Because there is no one greater for God to swear by, He swears by His own unchangeable nature (Heb 6:13).
  • This divine oath reinforces the absolute certainty and unbreakability of God's promise. It guarantees that the covenant is immutable and eternal.
• to Isaac (יצחק, Yitzchaq):
  • Abraham's promised son, the son through whom the covenantal promises would be channeled.
  • His inclusion specifies the divinely chosen lineage, distinguishing him from other descendants of Abraham (e.g., Ishmael), ensuring the continuity and fulfillment of the covenant through the designated heir.

Words-group analysis:

• "the covenant which He made with Abraham": This phrase identifies the foundational agreement established directly by God with Abraham. It highlights the divine initiation and the unconditional nature of this foundational promise of land, descendants, and blessing.
• "and His oath to Isaac": This group emphasizes the continuation and divine affirmation of the covenant through Isaac, demonstrating its hereditary and unbreakable nature. The "oath" adds a layer of solemnity and irreversibility, signifying God's binding guarantee to specific heirs chosen within the patriarchal line. This divine oath underpins the entire trajectory of Israel’s history and their prophetic future.

Psalm 105 9 Bonus section

• Polemical Aspect: In a world filled with capricious pagan deities, Psalm 105:9 implicitly makes a powerful statement about the uniqueness of Yahweh. Unlike human-made gods whose wills could be swayed, or whose promises were conditional and unreliable, the God of Israel is portrayed as faithful, unchangeable, and absolutely bound by His own solemn declarations. This underscores His supreme trustworthiness.
• Surety of the Promises: The dual emphasis on "covenant" and "oath" provides double assurance for the recipient. The "cutting" of the covenant by God alone (as in Gen 15) signifies God's self-imposed responsibility to uphold the agreement, even taking upon Himself the curse for its breaking. The "oath" then reiterates His sworn commitment. This foreshadows the security found in the New Covenant through Christ, who fulfilled the promises as the true Seed.
• Redemptive History Foundation: This verse isn't merely a historical note but a theological bedrock. All subsequent salvific acts of God in Israel's history—the Exodus, the wilderness wanderings, the conquest of the land—are presented as direct fulfillments flowing from these foundational promises made and sworn to the patriarchs. It establishes God's unchanging nature as the guiding principle of redemptive history.

Psalm 105 9 Commentary

Psalm 105:9 serves as a theological anchor, asserting that the very existence and heritage of Israel are rooted not in their own merit, but in the unchangeable character of God as a covenant-keeping God. The careful wording differentiates between "covenant made" with Abraham, emphasizing its foundational establishment, and "His oath to Isaac," stressing the solemn re-affirmation and continuity of this promise through the divinely appointed line. This divine pledge is a demonstration of God's absolute fidelity. The implications are profound: if God keeps His word to the patriarchs so faithfully, Israel, and by extension believers, can trust in all His promises for their own future and salvation. This verse invites reflection on the trustworthiness of God, whose eternal purpose unfolds according to His unchanging word.