Psalms 105:14

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

He suffered {H3240} no man {H120} to do them wrong {H6231}: yea, he reproved {H3198} kings {H4428} for their sakes;

he allowed no one to oppress them. Yes, for their sakes he rebuked even kings:

He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf:

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

Commentary

Psalm 105 is a historical psalm, recounting God's faithfulness to His covenant people, Israel, from the time of Abraham through the Exodus and wilderness wanderings. Verse 14 specifically highlights God's active and powerful protection over the patriarchs and their families during their sojourning.

Context

This verse follows a recounting of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Psalm 105:8-11), emphasizing their nomadic existence before settling in the land of Canaan. During this period, they were few in number and vulnerable. The psalmist recalls specific instances where God intervened miraculously to safeguard them. For example, God afflicted Pharaoh's house for Abraham's wife, Sarah, in Egypt, and later warned King Abimelech in a dream concerning Sarah. These acts demonstrate God's unwavering commitment to His chosen ones, even when they were strangers in foreign lands.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection: The primary message is God's vigilant and powerful safeguard over His people. He did not merely observe; He actively prevented harm. This speaks to God's constant care.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Rulers: God's authority extends even to powerful kings and nations. He "reproved" them, meaning He rebuked, judged, or even punished them for attempting to harm His servants. This underscores that no earthly power can thwart God's plan for His people.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: This protection is rooted in God's covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants. God remembers His word and acts decisively to uphold it.
  • The Special Status of God's Servants: The following verse, Psalm 105:15, identifies these patriarchs as "mine anointed" and "my prophets," highlighting their unique relationship with God that warranted such divine intervention.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "reproved" is yakach (יָכַח), which carries a strong sense of admonition, rebuke, or even correction through judgment. It implies God’s authoritative confrontation with those who would oppose His will or harm His chosen. This was not a gentle suggestion but a powerful, undeniable intervention that forced kings to acknowledge God's hand.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 105:14 offers immense comfort and assurance. It reminds us that God remains sovereign over all earthly powers and is committed to protecting His children according to His divine purpose. While our circumstances may differ from those of the patriarchs, the principle of God's watchful care endures. When facing challenges or opposition, we can trust that God is able to intervene, working all things for the good of those who love Him. This verse encourages faith and reminds us that God's protection is not limited by human strength or political power, providing a powerful reason to trust in His providence.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 35:5 (10 votes)

    And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that [were] round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.

  • Exodus 7:16 (4 votes)

    And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.

  • Exodus 7:17 (4 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that [is] in mine hand upon the waters which [are] in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.

  • Genesis 20:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.

  • Genesis 20:7 (3 votes)

    Now therefore restore the man [his] wife; for he [is] a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore [her] not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that [are] thine.

  • Genesis 26:14 (3 votes)

    For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.

  • Genesis 26:33 (3 votes)

    And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city [is] Beersheba unto this day.