TRV
Translation
Complete Jewish Bible
You descendants of Avraham his servant, you offspring of Ya'akov, his chosen ones,
American Standard Version
O ye seed of Abraham his servant, Ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
World English Bible Messianic
you seed of Abraham, his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Ye seede of Abraham his seruant, ye children of Iaakob, which are his elect.
In the KJVVerse 15,613 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 105 verses 1–7
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.
Our devotion is here warmly excited; and we are stirred up, that we may stir up ourselves to praise God. Observe,
I. The duties to which we are here called, and they are many, but the tendency of them all is to give unto God the glory due unto his name. 1. We must give thanks to him, as one who has always been our bountiful benefactor and requires only that we give him thanks for his favours - poor returns for rich receivings. 2. Call upon his name, as one whom you depend upon for further favours. Praying for further mercies is accepted as an acknowledgment of former mercies. Because he has inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him. 3. Make known his deeds (Psa 105:1), that others may join with you in praising him. Talk of all his wondrous works (Psa 105:2), as we talk of things that we are full of, and much affected with, and desire to fill others with. God's wondrous works ought to be the subject of our familiar discourses with our families and friends, and we should talk of them as we sit in the house and as we go by the way (Deu 6:7), not merely for entertainment, but for the exciting of devotion and the encouraging of our own and others' faith and hope in God. Even sacred things may be the matter of common talk, provided it be with due reverence. 4. Sing psalms to God's honour, as those that rejoice in him, and desire to testify that joy for the encouragement of others and to transmit it to posterity, as memorable things anciently were handed down by songs, when writing was scarce. 5. Glory in his holy name; let those that are disposed to glory not boast of their own accomplishments and achievements, but of their acquaintance with God and their relation to him, Jer 9:23, Jer 9:24. Praise you his holy name, so some; but it comes all to one, for in glorying in him we give glory to him. 6. Seek him; place your happiness in him, and then pursue that happiness in all the ways that he has appointed. Seek the Lord and his strength, that is, the ark of his strength; seek him in the sanctuary, in the way wherein he has appointed us to seek him. Seek his strength, that is, his grace, the strength of his Spirit to work in you that which is good, which we cannot do but by strength derived from him, for which he will be enquired of. Seek the Lord and be strengthened; so divers ancient versions read it. Those that would be strengthened in the inward man must fetch in strength from God by faith and prayer. Seek his strength, and then seek his face; for by his strength, we hope to prevail with him for his favour, as Jacob did, Hos 12:3. "Seek his face evermore; seek to have his favour to eternity, and therefore continue seeking it to the end of the time of your probation. Seek it while you live in this world, and you shall have it while you live in the other world, and even there shall be for ever seeking it in an infinite progression, and yet be for ever satisfied in it." 7. Let the hearts of those rejoice that do seek him (Psa 105:3); for they have chosen well, are well fixed, and well employed, and they may be sure that their labour will not be in vain, for he will not only be found, but he will be found the rewarder of those that diligently seek him. If those have reason to rejoice that seek the Lord, much more those that have found him.
II. Some arguments to quicken us to these duties. 1. "Consider both what he has said and what he has done to engage us for ever to him. You will see yourselves under all possible obligations to give thanks to him, and call upon his name, if you remember the wonders which should make deep and durable impressions upon you, - the wonders of his providence which he has wrought for you and those who are gone before you, the marvellous works that he has done, which will be had in everlasting remembrance with the thoughtful and with the grateful, - the wonders of his law, which he has written to you, and entrusted you with, the judgments of his mouth, as well as the judgments of his hand," Psa 105:5. 2. "Consider the relation you stand in to him (Psa 105:6): You are the seed of Abraham his servant; you are born in his house, and being thereby entitled to the privilege of his servants, protection and provision, you are also bound to do the duty of servants, to attend your Master, consult his honour, obey his commands, and do what you can to advance his interests. You are the children of Jacob his chosen, and are chosen and beloved for the fathers' sake, and therefore ought to tread in the steps of those whose honours you inherit. You are the children of godly parents; do no degenerate. You are God's church upon earth, and, if you do not praise him, who should?" 3. Consider your interest in him: He is the Lord our God, Psa 105:7. We depend upon him, are devoted to him, and from him our expectation is. Should not a people seek unto their God (Isa 8:19) and praise their God? Dan 5:4. He is Jehovah our God. He that is our God is self-existent and self-sufficient, has an irresistible power and incontestable sovereignty: His judgments are in all the earth; he governs the whole world in wisdom, and gives law to all nations, even to those that know him not. The earth is full of the proofs of his power.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–7. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 105
Unto whom is it said, "O you seed of Abraham His servant, you children of Jacob, His chosen"? [Psalm 105:6]....
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 105:6 serves as a foundational and direct address to the people of Israel, unequivocally identifying them by their unique covenantal lineage to Abraham and Jacob. This pivotal verse establishes the audience's identity as God's chosen people, setting the stage for the psalm's comprehensive recounting of God's unwavering faithfulness, providential care, and enduring covenant promises to His nation, from their patriarchal origins through their miraculous deliverance from Egypt and settlement in the Promised Land. It profoundly underscores their distinct identity as a people set apart by divine election and bound by an eternal, relational covenant with the Almighty.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 105:6 is masterfully crafted, employing several impactful literary devices that enhance its theological depth and communicative power. The most prominent is Parallelism, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the phrase "seed of Abraham his servant" is beautifully mirrored and reinforced by "children of Jacob his chosen." This technique not only emphasizes the singular and unified identity of the addressed group but also deepens the meaning by presenting two complementary facets of their unique relationship with God: their lineage from Abraham, the devoted follower, and their descent from Jacob, the divinely elected. The use of Apostrophe is also powerfully evident, as the psalmist directly addresses the people ("O ye"), creating an immediate, personal, and evocative connection that draws the audience into the unfolding narrative. Furthermore, the verse utilizes significant Appellations or titles ("seed of Abraham," "his servant," "children of Jacob," "his chosen") which are rich with historical, covenantal, and theological meaning, succinctly conveying the profound nature of Israel's identity and their unparalleled relationship with God.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 105:6 stands as a foundational statement of Israel's identity, profoundly rooted in God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and sovereign election. It encapsulates the core theological truth that Israel's existence, purpose, and privileged status are not accidental but are the direct result of God's deliberate, gracious choice and enduring promises to their forefathers. This verse establishes that their identity is inextricably linked to the covenant initiated with Abraham, a covenant that promised a numerous nation, a specific land, and a blessing to all peoples through his descendants. The emphasis on "chosen" highlights God's unmerited grace as the sole basis for their privileged position, precluding any notion of human merit or achievement. This divine election and covenant relationship form the bedrock upon which the entire narrative of God's providential care for Israel, as meticulously recounted in the rest of Psalm 105, is built, demonstrating His steadfast love across generations.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For contemporary believers, Psalms 105:6 offers a profound and spiritually nourishing invitation to reflect on our own spiritual heritage and identity in Christ. While we may not be physical descendants of Abraham or Jacob, through faith in Jesus, we are miraculously grafted into God's covenant family, becoming spiritual children of Abraham and heirs according to the promise. This verse powerfully reminds us that our standing with God is not earned through our efforts or merits, but is a glorious gift of His sovereign grace and election, just as it was for ancient Israel. It calls us to remember God's unchanging faithfulness throughout all of redemptive history, recognizing that the same God who meticulously kept His promises to Abraham and Jacob is utterly faithful to His new covenant promises to us. This understanding should cultivate a deep and abiding sense of gratitude for our identity as those chosen, called, and beloved by Him for His eternal purposes. It encourages us to live in confident trust in His steadfast character, knowing that our foundation is eternally secure in His enduring love and unwavering commitment to His people, inspiring us to walk in joyful obedience and humble service, mirroring the "servant" heart of Abraham.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who is the "seed of Abraham" in this verse?
Answer: In Psalms 105:6, the "seed of Abraham" refers primarily to the physical descendants of Abraham, specifically the nation of Israel. This phrase emphasizes their unique lineage and their direct connection to the covenant promises God made to Abraham, which included the promise of numerous descendants, a land, and a special relationship with God as His chosen people. The psalm is addressed to the contemporary generation of Israelites, reminding them of their rich heritage and God's faithfulness to their forefathers, establishing their identity as the recipients of divine promises.
What does it mean that Jacob was "chosen"?
Answer: The phrase "Jacob his chosen" signifies God's sovereign and gracious election. It means that God, out of His own free will and not based on any inherent merit of Jacob or his descendants, specifically selected Jacob (whose name was later changed to Israel in Genesis 32:28) to be the patriarch through whom His covenant promises would continue and from whom the nation of Israel would descend. This highlights God's initiative in establishing His people and setting them apart for His redemptive purposes, a central theme to Israel's identity as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 7:6-8.
How does this verse relate to Christians today?
Answer: For Christians today, Psalms 105:6 has profound spiritual relevance. While not physical descendants of Abraham or Jacob, believers in Jesus Christ are considered the spiritual "seed of Abraham" through faith. As powerfully articulated in Galatians 3:29, "if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." This means that through faith in Christ, we are brought into the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant, becoming part of God's chosen family. This verse reminds us of God's unchanging faithfulness to His promises across generations and encourages us to embrace our identity as those chosen by Him for His purposes in the New Covenant, reflecting His grace and love.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 105:6, with its profound address to the "seed of Abraham his servant" and "children of Jacob his chosen," finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The New Testament unequivocally reveals that Jesus is the singular and ultimate "seed" of Abraham, the one through whom all the promises made to Abraham are perfectly and comprehensively fulfilled (as stated in Galatians 3:16). He is the true Israel, the perfectly obedient "servant" of God, echoing and surpassing the faithful posture of Abraham. Furthermore, Jesus is the preeminent "chosen" one of God, the beloved Son through whom God's redemptive purposes are fully and finally realized (Isaiah 42:1 and 1 Peter 2:4). Through His impeccable life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Christ perfectly embodies the covenant faithfulness that Psalm 105 celebrates. Believers, by being spiritually "in Christ," are united with Him and thus become co-heirs with Him, partaking in the blessings of Abraham's covenant not by physical descent but by grace through faith (Romans 4:16). Therefore, this verse points forward to the inclusive, global family of God, united in Christ, who is the faithful Servant and the Chosen One, through whom all nations are eternally blessed.