Psalms 105:24

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

And he increased {H6509} his people {H5971} greatly {H3966}; and made them stronger {H6105} than their enemies {H6862}.

There God made his people very fruitful, made them too numerous for their foes,

And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes,

And he increased his people greatly, And made them stronger than their adversaries.

Commentary on Psalms 105:24 (KJV)

Psalms 105:24: "And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies."

Context

Psalm 105 is a historical psalm, recounting God's faithfulness to Israel from the time of Abraham through the Exodus and their wilderness journey. It serves as a reminder of God's covenant promises and His miraculous interventions on behalf of His chosen people. Verse 24 specifically focuses on the period when the Israelites were dwelling in Egypt, before the dramatic events of the Exodus. It highlights God's active hand in their growth and protection even under increasingly hostile circumstances.

Key Themes

  • Divine Multiplication and Growth: The verse emphasizes God's direct involvement in increasing the number of His people. This was a fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that their descendants would be numerous like the stars (Genesis 15:5). Even in a foreign land and under oppressive conditions, God ensured their rapid population growth, as also noted in Exodus 1:7.
  • God's Sovereign Protection: Despite being surrounded by the powerful Egyptian empire, God made His people "stronger than their enemies." This wasn't necessarily a military strength at this stage but a divine protection and resilience that allowed them to thrive even when Pharaoh tried to suppress them (Exodus 1:12). It speaks to God's ultimate control over nations and His unwavering commitment to His covenant.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: The entire Psalm, including this verse, underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, ensuring the preservation and prosperity of his descendants, even when human circumstances seemed dire.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "increased greatly" (וַיֶּפֶר - vayyefer) comes from a root meaning "to be fruitful" or "to multiply," often used in the context of abundant growth, reinforcing the idea of God's blessing. The phrase "made them stronger" (וַיַּעֲצִמֵהוּ - vayya'atzimehu) signifies imparting power, might, or making them more numerous and therefore more formidable, despite their enslaved status. This strength was not of their own making but divinely bestowed.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful encouragement for believers today. Just as God multiplied and strengthened Israel against their oppressors, He continues to work in the lives of His people:

  • Trust in God's Providence: We can trust that God is actively involved in our lives, ensuring our growth and protection, even when facing challenging circumstances or spiritual adversaries.
  • Resilience in Adversity: When we feel weak or outnumbered by the "enemies" of life—whether spiritual, emotional, or circumstantial—this verse reminds us that God can make us stronger than those who oppose us. Our strength comes not from ourselves, but from His enabling power.
  • The Growth of God's Kingdom: This principle also applies to the church. Despite opposition, the gospel continues to spread, and God's spiritual people are continually increased and strengthened by His grace, fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

Ultimately, Psalms 105:24 is a testament to God's unwavering power and faithfulness in preserving and prospering His chosen people, a truth that echoes through all generations.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 26:5

    And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish [was] my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:

  • Acts 7:17

    ¶ But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,

  • Exodus 12:37

    ¶ And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot [that were] men, beside children.

  • Genesis 46:3

    And he said, I [am] God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

  • Exodus 1:7

    And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

  • Exodus 1:9

    And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel [are] more and mightier than we:

  • Genesis 13:16

    And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, [then] shall thy seed also be numbered.

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