Psalms 105:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

The king {H4428} sent {H7971} and loosed {H5425} him; even the ruler {H4910} of the people {H5971}, and let him go free {H6605}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king sent and had him released, the ruler of peoples set him free;

Berean Standard Bible

The king sent and released him; the ruler of peoples set him free.

American Standard Version

The king sent and loosed him; Even the ruler of peoples, and let him go free.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 105:20 marks the dramatic turning point in Joseph's life, recounting the moment Pharaoh, the supreme ruler of Egypt, commanded his release from prison. This pivotal act, though seemingly initiated by a human king, is presented within the broader narrative of Psalm 105 as a divinely orchestrated event, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His sovereign control over human affairs to accomplish His redemptive purposes for Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 105 is a historical psalm, serving as a hymn of praise that meticulously recounts God's covenant faithfulness to Israel from the time of Abraham through the Exodus. Verses 17-19 detail the severe trials Joseph endured, specifically mentioning his unjust imprisonment and the suffering of his feet with fetters, emphasizing that he remained in iron "until the time that his word came to pass; the word of the LORD tried him." This preceding context highlights the depth of Joseph's affliction and sets the stage for the remarkable reversal described in verse 20. The psalm then continues to narrate Joseph's elevation to power and the subsequent arrival of Jacob and his family in Egypt, underscoring how Joseph's suffering and release were integral to God's larger plan to preserve and multiply His chosen people before their eventual deliverance from Egypt.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is ancient Egypt during the Hyksos period or a similar era, where a foreign ruler might have been more open to a non-Egyptian like Joseph rising to power. Pharaoh, as "the king" and "the ruler of the people," held absolute authority, his word being law. The act of sending for a prisoner and releasing him was a direct exercise of this supreme power, often influenced by omens, dreams, or divine favor, as was the case with Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams (cf. [Genesis 41:14](/genesis/41-14 "Genesis 41:14 - Joseph Brought Before Pharaoh")). Joseph's imprisonment, likely in a royal or state prison, would have been a harsh reality, and his release would have been a public and undeniable act of royal decree, signifying a complete change in his status from condemned prisoner to free man, and shortly thereafter, to a position of immense authority.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several overarching themes. Firstly, **Divine Providence** is paramount; Joseph's suffering and subsequent release were not random but part of God's intricate plan to preserve His people from famine, as Joseph himself later affirmed in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's Perspective on God's Purpose"). Secondly, **Deliverance and Exaltation** are vividly portrayed, as Joseph is not merely freed but elevated from the depths of a dungeon to the pinnacle of power, demonstrating God's ability to bring about radical transformation and vindication. Thirdly, the verse underscores **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant**, emphasizing how Joseph's story, including his release and rise, was a crucial step in preparing the way for the growth of Israel in Egypt, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (cf. [Genesis 12:2-3](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2-3 - God's Promise to Abraham")). Finally, it highlights God's **Sovereignty Over Rulers**, showing that even the most powerful human leader, Pharaoh, acts as an unwitting agent in God's unfolding purposes, demonstrating that "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will" ([Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sent (Hebrew, _shalach'_):** This verb signifies a purposeful dispatch or commission, implying an authoritative command. It indicates that the king's action was not accidental or passive, but a deliberate and official decree, initiating the process of Joseph's release.
* **loosed (Hebrew, _pathach'_):** Meaning "to open," "to set free," or "to release," this word powerfully conveys the breaking of bonds and removal of restraints. In the context of imprisonment, it denotes a complete and authoritative liberation, emphasizing that Joseph's freedom was absolute and granted by the highest power in the land.
* **ruler of the people (Hebrew, _moshel ammim'_):** This phrase serves as an appositional descriptor for "the king," explicitly identifying him as the supreme authority over all the inhabitants of Egypt. It underscores the undeniable and public nature of Joseph's release, making it clear that his liberation was a formal act of the highest governmental power, ensuring its legitimacy and finality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The king sent and loosed him":** This clause directly attributes the action of Joseph's release to Pharaoh. The verb "sent" implies an immediate, authoritative command, while "loosed" signifies the breaking of his bonds and the end of his imprisonment. This was a decisive act of power, setting in motion the process of his liberation.
* **"[even] the ruler of the people":** This parenthetical phrase, often supplied for clarity in English translations, confirms that "the king" is indeed the supreme sovereign of Egypt. It emphasizes Pharaoh's absolute authority and the official capacity in which he acted, underscoring that Joseph's release was not a private favor but a state decree.
* **"and let him go free":** This final clause states the ultimate outcome of the king's command: Joseph's complete and unhindered freedom. It highlights the full extent of his liberation, not merely from the prison cell but from the status of a prisoner, preparing him for his subsequent elevation.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 105:20 employs several effective literary devices. **Synonymous Parallelism** is evident in the two clauses that essentially convey the same action by the same agent: "The king sent and loosed him" is echoed by "the ruler of the people, and let him go free." This repetition emphasizes the authority of the act and the completeness of Joseph's liberation. There is also an element of **Narrative Compression**, where a complex series of events—Joseph's interpretation of dreams, Pharaoh's realization, and the subsequent command—are distilled into a concise, impactful statement. The use of "the king" and "the ruler of the people" can be seen as a form of **Apposition**, where one phrase clarifies or renames the preceding one, reinforcing the identity and authority of Pharaoh. While not explicitly stated, the verse also carries an implied **Divine Agency**, as the psalm's overarching theme suggests that Pharaoh's actions, though human, are ultimately orchestrated by God's sovereign hand.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates God's active involvement in human history, demonstrating His sovereign control over even the most powerful earthly rulers to fulfill His divine purposes. Joseph's release is a testament to God's perfect timing and His ability to turn seemingly hopeless situations into triumphs. It reminds us that suffering, though painful, can be a crucible through which God refines and prepares His servants for greater service, ultimately working all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. This moment in Joseph's life is a powerful foreshadowing of God's greater acts of deliverance for His people throughout salvation history, culminating in the ultimate freedom found in Christ.

* [Genesis 41:14](/genesis/41-14 "Genesis 41:14 - Joseph Brought Before Pharaoh")
* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's Perspective on God's Purpose")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in the Hand of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 105:20 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating periods of waiting, injustice, or confinement, whether literal or metaphorical. Joseph's story reminds us that God's providence is at work even when circumstances seem bleak and human efforts are exhausted. Just as God remembered Joseph and orchestrated his release through an unlikely source—a pagan king—He remains faithful to His covenant people today. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's perfect timing, knowing that His plans unfold according to His divine wisdom, not our limited understanding. It challenges us to recognize God's sovereignty over all earthly powers and circumstances, believing that He can use any person or situation, even those seemingly opposed to His will, to advance His good purposes. Ultimately, Joseph's liberation should inspire us to hope in God's ultimate deliverance, both in our personal lives and in the grand narrative of redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joseph's story encourage you to trust God's timing in your own life, especially during periods of waiting or difficulty?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control to God's sovereign plan, even when the path forward is unclear?**
* **How can you recognize God's hand at work in seemingly ordinary or even challenging circumstances, much like Pharaoh's decision in Joseph's life?**

### FAQ
**Who is "the king" referred to in this verse?**

Answer: "The king" in Psalms 105:20 refers to Pharaoh, the supreme ruler of Egypt. The context of Psalm 105, which recounts the history of Israel from Abraham through their time in Egypt, clearly points to the Egyptian monarch. This is further corroborated by the detailed narrative in the Book of Genesis, particularly [Genesis 41](/genesis/41 "Genesis 41 - Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams and is Exalted"), where Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams, leading to his dramatic release and subsequent elevation to a position of power. The phrase "[even] the ruler of the people" further emphasizes that it was the highest authority in the land who commanded Joseph's liberation.

**What is the significance of "loosed him" and "let him go free"?**

Answer: The phrases "loosed him" and "let him go free" are significant because they emphasize the completeness and authority of Joseph's liberation. "Loosed him" (Hebrew *pathach*) implies the breaking of bonds and the opening of a prison, signifying a physical release from confinement. "Let him go free" reinforces this by indicating a full restoration of liberty, not just from the prison cell but from the status of a prisoner. This was not a temporary reprieve but a definitive act of freedom, paving the way for Joseph's immediate exaltation to a position of immense power. The repetition underscores the finality and the divine orchestration of this pivotal moment, highlighting that God's plan for Joseph's deliverance was fully accomplished through Pharaoh's decree.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic liberation of Joseph by the king, as recounted in Psalms 105:20, serves as a profound Old Testament type pointing to the ultimate deliverance and exaltation found in Jesus Christ. Joseph, though innocent, suffered unjustly, was cast into a pit and then a prison, only to be released and elevated to a position of power where he became the savior of his people from famine. This narrative arc powerfully foreshadows Christ, the truly innocent One, who endured unimaginable suffering and death, was "loosed" from the bonds of the grave through resurrection, and was then exalted to the right hand of God, becoming the Savior of all humanity from the famine of sin and death. Just as Pharaoh, the "ruler of the people," released Joseph, God the Father, the ultimate sovereign, "sent" His Son to set us free. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, we are truly "loosed" from the bondage of sin and spiritual death ([John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - Freedom in Christ")), delivered from the dominion of darkness ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")), and granted the glorious freedom of the children of God. Joseph's journey from prison to palace, from suffering to glory, mirrors Christ's path from the cross to the throne, where He reigns as the true King, offering eternal freedom to all who believe. His exaltation, detailed in passages like [Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation"), is the ultimate fulfillment of divine deliverance.

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

Genesis 41:14

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved [himself], and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.