What does it mean to give thanks and call upon the Lord’s name?

To give thanks and call upon the Lord’s name means to openly thank God for who He is and what He has done, and to turn to Him in prayer. The passage joins gratitude with calling on God, so thanks is not just a feeling but spoken praise and trust. Calling on His name also has the idea of depending on Him, not on ourselves. It invites God’s people to speak about His works to others, so that His goodness is known, not kept quiet or private.

Why does this passage retell the stories of Abraham, Joseph, and Moses?

The psalm retells these stories so God’s people will remember that their history is shaped by God’s promises and power. Abraham, Joseph, and Moses show how God kept His covenant from the start. Abraham and his family were few and weak, yet God protected them and promised them a land. Joseph suffered as a slave and prisoner, yet God used him to save many in famine. Moses and Aaron were sent to bring Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders. Remembering these events builds trust and praise.

What does it teach when it says God remembered his covenant forever?

When it says God remembered His covenant forever, it does not mean He had forgotten and then recalled it. It means He stayed faithful to what He had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and acted on those promises in each generation. His promise to give their descendants the land of Canaan and to be their God did not fade with time. This shows that God’s word is steady, even when His people are few, weak, or oppressed. It gives comfort that He does not drop what He has sworn to do.

Why are the plagues on Egypt listed in this song of thanks?

The plagues on Egypt are listed here as part of God’s “wondrous works.” They were acts of judgment on those who oppressed His people, but also acts of rescue for Israel. By turning water to blood, sending frogs, flies, hail, locusts, and striking the firstborn, God showed He rules over nature and over nations. Remembering these plagues helps God’s people see that He is not distant. He steps into history to defend them and keep His covenant, even when powerful kings stand in the way.

What does it mean that the word of the Lord tried Joseph?

The line about the word of the Lord trying Joseph points to the long time Joseph spent in chains before God’s promise came to pass. He had dreams from God about being raised up, but for years he suffered as a slave and prisoner. During that time, God’s word “tried” or tested him, proving his faith and patience. Only when God’s appointed time came did the king free Joseph and set him over his house. This shows that God’s promises may take time, and waiting can be a real test of trust.

What does this passage teach about God’s protection of His people?

The passage shows God’s protection in many ways. When Abraham’s family was small and wandering, God did not allow others to harm them and even warned kings for their sake, saying, “Touch not mine anointed.” In Egypt, while plagues struck the land, there was not one feeble person among Israel when they went out. He led them with a cloud by day and fire by night, fed them with quail and bread from heaven, and brought water from the rock. All this shows He guards, guides, and provides for those He has chosen.

Why does the song end with that they might observe his statutes and keep his laws?

The song ends by saying God did all this so that His people would observe His statutes and keep His laws. This means the purpose of their rescue and the gift of the land was not just comfort or freedom, but a life of obedience and worship. They were saved to belong to God in practice, not only in name. Remembering His mighty works should move their hearts to listen to Him, trust Him, and live by His commands. Praise and obedience go together in the life of God’s people.

How can I apply the call to remember God’s marvellous works today?

You can apply this call by regularly thinking about and naming what God has done, both in the history of His people and in your own life. You might read these stories, thank Him for His faithfulness, and speak about them with others. You can also look back on times He has guided, provided, or corrected you, and let that shape your prayers. Remembering in this way keeps your heart from forgetfulness and fear, and stirs up fresh trust, joy, and praise in daily life.

Ps.105.1

Psalm 105:1

Q: What does seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face evermore mean?

This line is a call to keep turning to God, not just once but again and again. To seek the Lord is to look to Him in faith, prayer, and obedience. Seeking His strength means knowing we are weak and asking for His help. Seeking His face means longing for His presence, favor, and guidance. The word “evermore” shows this is not only for times of trouble but is meant to be a steady way of life for those who belong to Him.

KJV

O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.

Tell of His Wonders

1 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.

2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.

3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

4 Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

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

6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.

7 He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.

8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

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

10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:

11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:

12 When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.

13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;

14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;

15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.

17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:

18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:

19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.

20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.

21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:

22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.

23 Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.

24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.

25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.

26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.

27 They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.

28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.

29 He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.

30 Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.

31 He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.

32 He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.

33 He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.

34 He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,

35 And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.

36 He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.

38 Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.

39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.

40 The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.

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

43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:

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

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

Cross References

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