Psalms 105:25

¶ He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.

He turned {H2015} their heart {H3820} to hate {H8130} his people {H5971}, to deal subtilly {H5230} with his servants {H5650}.

whose hearts he turned to hate his people, and treat his servants unfairly.

whose hearts He turned to hate His people, to conspire against His servants.

He turned their heart to hate his people, To deal subtly with his servants.

Psalms 105:25 is part of a historical psalm that recounts God's faithfulness to Israel from Abraham through the Exodus, reminding the people of His mighty works and covenant promises. This particular verse focuses on a pivotal moment in the narrative leading up to the liberation from Egypt.

Context

This verse directly precedes the plagues and the Exodus, describing God's active role in the events leading to Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. The "He" refers to God, and "their heart" refers to the Egyptians, specifically Pharaoh and his officials. God "turned their heart to hate his people" (the Israelites) and "to deal subtilly with his servants" (Moses and Aaron, and by extension, the entire nation of Israel). This hardening of the Egyptian heart and their increased oppression was not arbitrary but served a divine purpose: to set the stage for God's powerful intervention and miraculous deliverance, demonstrating His sovereignty over all nations and rulers. This echoes the narrative found in the book of Exodus, beginning with a new king who knew not Joseph.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The verse powerfully asserts God's ultimate control, even over the hearts and intentions of rulers and nations hostile to His people. It shows that even the evil intentions of men can be orchestrated by God to fulfill His greater redemptive plan.
  • The Hardening of Hearts: While humans are responsible for their choices, this verse, like passages in Exodus, indicates God's sovereign ability to influence or allow the hardening of hearts for His purposes. This was not to unjustly condemn but to display His power and glory through the subsequent plagues and the miraculous escape. For instance, God explicitly states, "I will harden his heart" regarding Pharaoh.
  • God's Preparatory Work: The increased hatred and subtle oppression by the Egyptians served as a catalyst, intensifying the Israelites' cry for deliverance and providing the backdrop against which God's mighty acts would shine even brighter. It was a necessary step in the divine drama of the Exodus.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "He turned their heart" (Hebrew: haphak libbam) signifies an active, decisive action on God's part, not merely a passive allowance. It emphasizes God's direct involvement in shaping circumstances, even the disposition of adversaries, to achieve His will. The term "subtilly" (Hebrew: hitnaker, meaning 'to deal craftily' or 'to behave deceptively') refers to the Egyptians' cunning and oppressive policies against the Israelites, such as enslaving them and attempting to control their population through infanticide, as detailed in Exodus 1:10.

Practical Application

Psalms 105:25 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that even when faced with seemingly overwhelming opposition, hatred, or subtle schemes from adversaries, God remains sovereign. He can use the very actions of those who oppose His purposes to advance His plan and bring about His desired outcome. This verse encourages us to trust in God's ultimate control, knowing that He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), even when the immediate circumstances appear bleak or oppressive. It reinforces the truth that God's faithfulness to His covenant people endures through all trials.

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.

  • Acts 7:19

    The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.

  • Genesis 15:13

    And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

  • Exodus 1:16

    And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see [them] upon the stools; if it [be] a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it [be] a daughter, then she shall live.

  • Exodus 9:16

    And in very deed for this [cause] have I raised thee up, for to shew [in] thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

  • Exodus 2:23

    ¶ And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

  • Exodus 4:21

    And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

  • Exodus 1:8

    ¶ Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.

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