Psalms 105:25

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 105:25 presents a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty, revealing how He actively influenced the hearts of the Egyptians to turn against His people, Israel. This divine orchestration of hatred and cunning oppression was not arbitrary but a purposeful act designed to set the stage for the dramatic display of God's power in the Exodus, thereby fulfilling His covenant promises and demonstrating His ultimate control over all nations and their rulers, even those hostile to His redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 105 is a historical psalm, a grand narrative recounting God's faithfulness to His covenant people, Israel, from the call of Abraham through their sojourn in Egypt and the miraculous Exodus. It serves as a reminder of God's mighty deeds and unwavering promises. Verse 25 specifically marks a critical turning point in this historical recounting. It immediately follows the account of Joseph's rise to power and the arrival of Jacob's family in Egypt, transitioning the narrative from a period of favor to one of oppression. This verse acts as the divine explanation for the sudden shift in Egyptian disposition towards the Israelites, directly preceding the detailed descriptions of their bondage and the subsequent plagues that lead to liberation. It establishes God's hand as the primary mover behind the unfolding drama.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is ancient Egypt, where the Israelites, initially welcomed under Joseph, became a large and distinct ethnic minority. The phrase "He turned their heart" refers to the Egyptians, particularly the new dynasty or pharaohs who "knew not Joseph" [Exodus 1:8](/exodus/1-8 "Exodus 1:8 - A New King in Egypt"). Culturally, ancient Near Eastern kings were often seen as divine or divinely appointed, making the assertion that God could "turn their heart" a powerful theological statement challenging the presumed autonomy of even the most powerful rulers. The "subtilly" refers to the cunning and oppressive policies implemented by the Egyptians to control the growing Israelite population, including forced labor, cruel taskmasters, and ultimately, the horrific decree of infanticide [Exodus 1:9-22](/exodus/1-9 "Exodus 1:9-22 - Egyptian Oppression of Israel"). This context highlights the vulnerability of the Israelites and the seemingly insurmountable power of their oppressors, making God's intervention all the more miraculous.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 105 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, **Divine Sovereignty** is paramount; God is depicted as actively controlling not only events but also the very hearts and intentions of human rulers and nations, even those hostile to His people. This demonstrates that all things, even evil intentions, can be orchestrated by God to fulfill His greater redemptive plan. Secondly, the theme of **The Hardening of Hearts** is evident, echoing the explicit statements in Exodus where God declares, "I will harden his heart" concerning Pharaoh [Exodus 4:21](/exodus/4-21 "Exodus 4:21 - God Hardens Pharaoh's Heart"). This hardening is not capricious but serves to display God's power and glory through the subsequent judgments and miraculous deliverance. Thirdly, **God's Preparatory Work** is highlighted; the increased hatred and subtle oppression by the Egyptians served as a catalyst, intensifying the Israelites' cry for deliverance and providing the dark backdrop against which God's mighty acts of salvation would shine even brighter. It was a necessary, albeit painful, step in the divine drama of the Exodus, proving God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Turned (Hebrew, _haphak'_):** This verb signifies an active, decisive, and transformative action. It implies God's direct intervention, not merely a passive allowance or withdrawal of restraint. God is not simply observing the Egyptians' hearts turning; He is actively, sovereignly directing or influencing their disposition. This emphasizes His ultimate control over all circumstances and even the inner thoughts and wills of individuals and nations.
* **Heart (Hebrew, _lev/levav'_):** In biblical anthropology, the "heart" is not merely the organ of emotion but the seat of the entire inner person—intellect, will, emotions, and moral character. When God "turns their heart," it means He influences their core being, their fundamental disposition, leading to a change in their attitude and actions towards Israel. This highlights the depth of God's sovereign reach.
* **Subtilly (Hebrew, _hitnaker'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be strange" or "to act as a stranger," _hitnaker_ here conveys the sense of dealing craftily, deceptively, or cunningly. It describes the insidious and manipulative policies the Egyptians employed against the Israelites, such as forced labor and the attempt to control their population through infanticide, as detailed in [Exodus 1:10](/exodus/1-10 "Exodus 1:10 - Egyptian Cunning Against Israel"). This term captures the insidious nature of the oppression.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He turned their heart":** This clause unequivocally attributes the change in the Egyptians' disposition directly to God's sovereign action. It asserts that the shift from welcoming guests to hostile oppressors was not merely a political or social development but a divinely orchestrated event. God actively influenced the inner will and intentions of the Egyptians, demonstrating His absolute control over human affairs.
* **"to hate his people":** The direct consequence and purpose of God's action. The Egyptians developed a deep-seated, intense animosity towards the Israelites. This hatred was not arbitrary; it served God's larger redemptive plan. It created the necessary tension and desperation that would prompt Israel's cry for deliverance and provide the backdrop for God's mighty acts of judgment and salvation.
* **"to deal subtilly with his servants":** This phrase describes the practical manifestation of the Egyptians' divinely-instigated hatred. "Subtilly" refers to the cunning, deceptive, and oppressive policies implemented against the Israelites. "His servants" refers to the nation of Israel as a whole, whom God had chosen and called to be His special people. This clause emphasizes that the oppression was not random but a calculated, malicious effort to suppress and control God's chosen nation.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 105:25 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the depiction of God "turning their heart," attributing a human-like action of influencing internal disposition to the divine. This makes God's sovereignty relatable and immediate. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically a form of synthetic or synonymous parallelism, where the second clause ("to deal subtilly with his servants") elaborates upon and reinforces the first ("to hate his people"). The hatred in their hearts manifests in their cunning and oppressive dealings. Furthermore, there is a profound **Irony** at play: God uses the very hatred and cunning of the enemy, intended for evil, to ultimately bring about His glorious deliverance and display His power. The suffering of His people, orchestrated by their oppressors, becomes the catalyst for their salvation, turning the enemy's malice into an instrument of divine purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 105:25 offers a powerful theological statement about God's absolute sovereignty, particularly His control over human hearts and the intentions of nations. It reveals a paradox: God can use the evil inclinations and actions of wicked rulers to accomplish His righteous purposes. This is not to say God instills evil, but rather that He can direct or allow existing sinful tendencies to manifest in ways that serve His ultimate redemptive plan. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart, as seen here and in Exodus, was not for Pharaoh's unjust condemnation but to demonstrate God's power and glory to both Israel and Egypt, proving that He is the one true God. This profound truth assures believers that even in the face of intense opposition, hatred, or cunning schemes from adversaries, God remains firmly in control, orchestrating all things for the good of His people and the advancement of His kingdom.

* [Exodus 4:21](/exodus/4-21 "God Hardens Pharaoh's Heart")
* [Romans 9:17-18](/romans/9-17 "God's Purpose in Pharaoh")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "The King's Heart in the Hand of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 105:25 provides profound comfort and a challenging perspective for believers navigating a world often hostile to faith. It reminds us that even when confronted with seemingly overwhelming opposition, hatred, or subtle schemes from adversaries, God remains supremely sovereign. He can and does 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 cultivate a deep 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](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good"), even when immediate circumstances appear bleak or oppressive. It reinforces the truth that God's faithfulness to His covenant people endures through all trials, and that our suffering may, in God's economy, be a necessary prelude to a greater display of His power and deliverance. We are called to endure with hope, knowing that our God is never caught off guard.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the sovereignty of God over human hearts, as seen in this verse, challenge or comfort you in times of opposition or persecution?**
* **In what ways might God be using difficult or oppressive circumstances in your life to set the stage for a greater display of His power or faithfulness?**
* **How can understanding God's ultimate control over even the hearts of adversaries strengthen your trust in His redemptive plan for your life and the world?**

### FAQ
**Does God truly make people hate others?**

Answer: The phrase "He turned their heart to hate" should be understood within the context of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. It does not mean God injects malice into a previously neutral heart. Rather, it implies God's active direction or permission of existing sinful inclinations for His purposes. The Egyptians already had a propensity for xenophobia and oppression, especially towards a rapidly growing foreign population. God's "turning" of their heart can be understood as His withdrawing restraining grace, allowing their natural sinful tendencies to fully manifest, or actively directing their existing evil will towards a specific end that serves His redemptive plan. This was not arbitrary but a just judgment and a necessary step to bring about the Exodus, demonstrating God's power and glory.

**How does this reconcile with human free will?**

Answer: This verse highlights the complex theological tension between divine sovereignty and human free will. While God is depicted as actively influencing the hearts of the Egyptians, this does not negate their moral responsibility for their hatred and oppressive actions. The Bible consistently affirms both God's ultimate control over all things and humanity's genuine choices and accountability. In the case of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, their hearts were already inclined towards pride and oppression. God's action was often to "harden" what was already hard, or to direct their existing wickedness to serve His greater purposes. It's a mystery how these two truths fully reconcile, but the Bible presents them as coexisting realities: God is sovereign over all, yet humans are responsible for their choices.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 105:25, with its declaration of God's sovereign control over hostile hearts, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The hatred and cunning schemes directed against Israel in Egypt foreshadow the ultimate opposition faced by God's true "servant" [Isaiah 42:1](/isaiah/42-1 "Isaiah 42:1 - The Servant of the Lord"), Jesus Himself. The religious leaders and Roman authorities, driven by hatred and subtle political maneuvering, conspired to put Jesus to death. Yet, as [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Deliberate Plan") powerfully states, Jesus was "delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God." The very hearts of those who hated and dealt "subtilly" with the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), were superintended by God to accomplish the greatest act of redemption. The crucifixion, seemingly a triumph of human malice, was in fact the predetermined means by which God achieved salvation for humanity [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death"). Just as God turned the hatred of the Egyptians into the catalyst for Israel's deliverance, so He used the ultimate act of human wickedness—the murder of His Son—to bring about the ultimate victory over sin and death through the [resurrection](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ's Resurrection as Firstfruits"). This verse thus points to God's unwavering ability to use even the deepest human depravity to achieve His glorious, Christ-centered purposes.

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

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.