Psalms 105:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Sing {H7891} unto him, sing psalms {H2167} unto him: talk {H7878} ye of all his wondrous works {H6381}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sing to him, sing praises to him, talk about all his wonders.

Berean Standard Bible

Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders.

American Standard Version

Sing unto him, sing praises unto him; Talk ye of all his marvellous works.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 105:2 is an impassioned call to worship and proclamation, serving as a foundational exhortation within a psalm that meticulously recounts God's historical faithfulness to Israel. It commands the people of God to actively engage in musical praise and to diligently declare the extraordinary, miraculous deeds of the Lord, thereby setting a tone of remembrance, gratitude, and evangelistic testimony for the entire historical narrative that follows.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 105:2 is an integral part of the opening exhortation (Psalms 105:1-6) of a historical psalm. This psalm, along with Psalms 104 and 106, forms a distinct cluster emphasizing God's sovereignty in creation and history. Psalms 105 specifically details God's covenant faithfulness from Abraham through the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, culminating in the giving of the land. Verse 2, with its dual imperative to "sing" and "talk," establishes the primary means by which the community is to remember and celebrate these divine acts, preparing the reader for the historical recounting that dominates the rest of the psalm. It is a summons to corporate worship that precedes and frames the narrative of God's "wondrous works."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Psalms 105 likely originated in a post-exilic setting or was used in temple liturgy, serving to reinforce Israel's national identity and faith in Yahweh amidst changing circumstances. In ancient Israelite culture, communal singing and the recounting of national history were vital for transmitting faith across generations and fostering a sense of divine election and covenant. The "wondrous works" (פלאות, _pela'ot_) would have immediately brought to mind the foundational events of the Exodus and the wilderness journey, which defined Israel's relationship with God. The psalm functions as a didactic and liturgical piece, designed to remind the people of their unique history with God and to encourage continued trust and obedience, particularly in times when God's presence might seem less evident.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Psalms 105 and the Psalter. It underscores the theme of **active worship**, emphasizing that praise is not passive but requires vocal and musical engagement. The command to "talk ye of all his wondrous works" highlights the theme of **remembrance and proclamation**, underscoring the importance of recounting God's past deeds to cultivate gratitude and strengthen faith for the future. This act of remembering is intrinsically linked to God's **covenant faithfulness**, a central tenet of Israelite theology, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 4:9](/deuteronomy/4-9 "Deuteronomy 4:9 - Remember and Teach"). Furthermore, the "wondrous works" point to God's **divine sovereignty and power**, demonstrating His control over history and His ability to intervene miraculously on behalf of His people, a truth echoed in [Psalm 77:11](/psalms/77-11 "Psalm 77:11 - Remembering God's Deeds").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sing (Hebrew, _zamar'_):** The Hebrew verb זמר (_zamar_) appears twice in the first clause ("Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him"). This word implies making music, often with instruments, and singing praise. It suggests a joyous, celebratory, and perhaps even boisterous form of worship, moving beyond mere vocalization to a full expression of adoration and delight. The repetition intensifies the command, emphasizing the importance and perhaps the variety of musical expression in worship.
* **Wondrous Works (Hebrew, _pela'ot'_):** The Hebrew noun פלאות (_pela'ot_) refers to extraordinary, miraculous, astonishing, or marvelous deeds. It denotes actions that transcend human capability and reveal divine power and intervention. In the context of Psalms 105, these are specifically the mighty acts God performed for Israel, such as the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the provision in the wilderness. The term highlights the awe-inspiring and unique nature of God's historical interventions, distinguishing them from ordinary events and underscoring His unique character as the God who performs wonders, as seen in [Exodus 15:11](/exodus/15-11 "Exodus 15:11 - God's Wondrous Deeds").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him":** This double imperative emphasizes the centrality of musical worship. The repetition is not redundant but serves to intensify the command, urging a fervent and multifaceted expression of praise. "Sing unto him" is a general call to vocal praise, while "sing psalms unto him" (using the same root, _zamar_, but often implying accompanied song or a specific type of sacred song) specifies the manner or content of that singing. It points to a deliberate, joyful, and possibly instrument-accompanied form of worship directed solely towards God.
* **"talk ye of all his wondrous works":** This second imperative broadens the scope of worship beyond song to include verbal proclamation. "Talk ye" (שיחו, _siychu_) implies recounting, meditating upon, or declaring publicly. The object of this declaration is "all his wondrous works" – not just a few, but the totality of God's astonishing, miraculous deeds. This command calls for a comprehensive testimony, ensuring that God's powerful interventions in history are remembered, celebrated, and shared, serving as a basis for faith and a witness to others.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 105:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically in the phrase "Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him." This repetition serves to emphasize the urgency and importance of musical worship, making the command more forceful and memorable. The verse also utilizes **Imperative Mood**, as both "Sing" and "talk" are direct commands, conveying the psalmist's strong exhortation to the community. There is a clear **Parallelism** between the two clauses: "Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him" and "talk ye of all his wondrous works." While not synonymous, these clauses are complementary, linking musical praise with verbal testimony, suggesting that both are essential components of true worship. Finally, the entire verse functions as an **Exhortation**, a strong encouragement to a particular course of action, setting the tone for the historical narrative that follows by establishing the proper response to God's mighty deeds.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 105:2 profoundly connects the act of worship with the remembrance and proclamation of God's character and deeds. It highlights that true worship is not merely an internal sentiment but an active, outward expression through both song and testimony. The command to recount God's "wondrous works" underscores the biblical emphasis on divine revelation through historical intervention, demonstrating that God is not a distant deity but one who actively engages with His creation and covenants with His people. This active remembering cultivates gratitude, reinforces trust, and serves as a powerful witness to both the community of faith and the world beyond. It links the past acts of God to present praise and future hope.

* [Psalm 9:1](/psalms/9-1 "Psalm 9:1 - I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.")
* [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6-7 "Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Teach your children diligently")
* [Isaiah 12:4](/isaiah/12-4 "Isaiah 12:4 - Declare His deeds among the peoples")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 105:2 offers timeless guidance for our engagement with God, both individually and corporately. It calls us to cultivate a lifestyle of active, heartfelt worship, recognizing that our praise is a vital response to God's character and His mighty acts. This means intentionally setting aside time for musical worship, whether in private devotion or communal gatherings, allowing our voices and instruments to express our adoration. Beyond song, the verse challenges us to be articulate witnesses of God's work. We are commanded to "talk ye of all his wondrous works," which encompasses sharing our personal testimonies of God's faithfulness in our lives, recounting biblical narratives of His power, and declaring His redemptive plan to those around us. This act of proclamation is not optional but an essential part of our discipleship, fostering gratitude in our own hearts and strengthening the faith of others. By consistently remembering and declaring God's "wondrous works," we anchor our faith in His unchanging character and His proven track record of faithfulness, preventing forgetfulness and fostering a spirit of enduring hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my personal worship reflect the active and joyful command to "sing unto him, sing psalms unto him"?**
* **In what ways am I intentionally "talking of all his wondrous works" in my daily conversations and interactions?**
* **What specific "wondrous works" of God, both in biblical history and in my own life, do I need to remember and recount more often to cultivate gratitude and strengthen my faith?**
* **How can my church community better embody the dual call to fervent song and comprehensive proclamation of God's deeds?**

### FAQ
**Why does the verse repeat the command to "sing"?**

Answer: The repetition, "Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him," is a literary device known as intensification or emphasis. It is not mere redundancy but serves to underscore the profound importance and perhaps the multifaceted nature of musical worship. The first "sing unto him" (זמרו, _zammeru_) is a general call to praise through song, while the second "sing psalms unto him" (זמרו לו, _zammeru lo_) might imply a more specific form of sacred song, possibly accompanied by instruments, or simply reiterates the command for greater impact. It conveys a sense of urgency, passion, and comprehensive engagement in praising God through melody and voice, urging the worshiper to fully immerse themselves in this act of adoration.

**What are "wondrous works" in the context of this psalm?**

Answer: In Psalms 105, "wondrous works" (פלאות, _pela'ot_) refers specifically to the extraordinary, miraculous, and awe-inspiring deeds God performed for Israel throughout their history. These are not ordinary events but divine interventions that demonstrate God's unique power, sovereignty, and faithfulness to His covenant. The psalm then proceeds to detail these works, including the plagues in Egypt ([Psalms 105:27-36](/psalms/105-27-36 "Psalms 105:27-36 - The Plagues")), the Exodus ([Psalms 105:37-38](/psalms/105-37-38 "Psalms 105:37-38 - The Exodus")), the provision in the wilderness (e.g., manna and water from the rock, [Psalms 105:39-41](/psalms/105-39-41 "Psalms 105:39-41 - Wilderness Provision")), and the giving of the Promised Land ([Psalms 105:43-45](/psalms/105-43-45 "Psalms 105:43-45 - Inheritance of the Land")). These are the foundational acts that established Israel as God's chosen people and formed the basis of their national identity and faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 105:2, with its dual call to sing and declare God's wondrous works, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While the psalm recounts God's historical acts for Israel, the greatest "wondrous work" of God is the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate demonstration of God's power, faithfulness, and covenant love, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham and bringing about a new and better covenant. Therefore, the command to "sing unto him, sing psalms unto him" is now directed to the God who has revealed Himself fully in Christ. Our songs of praise are enriched by the knowledge of salvation through the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), and our worship becomes a response to the [redemption purchased by His blood](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption through His Blood"). Similarly, the command to "talk ye of all his wondrous works" transforms into the Christian mandate to proclaim the Gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ. The greatest story to tell, the most astonishing work to declare, is that [God so loved the world that he gave his only Son](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World"), that [He was raised from the dead](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message"), and that [He is Lord of all](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus is Lord"). Thus, our worship and testimony become Christ-centered, celebrating the ultimate "wondrous work" that secures eternal life for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 119:27

Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

Psalms 98:5

Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

Psalms 77:12

I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

Isaiah 12:5

Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this [is] known in all the earth.

Isaiah 12:6

Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great [is] the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Psalms 98:1

¶ A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

Psalms 78:4

We will not hide [them] from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.