Psalms 105:42

KJV

For he remembered his holy promise, [and] Abraham his servant.

KJV (with Strong's)

For he remembered {H2142} his holy {H6944} promise {H1697}, and Abraham {H85} his servant {H5650}.

Complete Jewish Bible

for he remembered his holy promise to his servant Avraham.

Berean Standard Bible

For He remembered His holy promise to Abraham His servant.

American Standard Version

For he remembered his holy word, AndAbraham his servant.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 105:42 encapsulates the profound truth of God's unwavering faithfulness, asserting that His mighty acts of deliverance and provision for Israel were not arbitrary but were direct manifestations of His covenant loyalty. This verse serves as the theological bedrock for the preceding historical recounting within Psalm 105, highlighting that God's remembrance of His sacred pledge to Abraham, His chosen servant, compelled Him to intervene on behalf of His people, thereby demonstrating His unchanging character and the absolute reliability of His divine word across generations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 105:42 concludes a lengthy historical psalm that meticulously chronicles God's redemptive work from the patriarchal era through the Exodus and the wilderness journey. The psalm begins by exhorting Israel to remember God's wondrous deeds and to seek Him continually, setting a tone of praise and gratitude. It then systematically recounts the call of Abraham, the sojourn in Egypt, the miraculous plagues, the exodus, the provision in the wilderness, and the giving of the land. Verse 42 acts as a pivotal theological summary, explaining *why* God performed these mighty acts: because He remembered His covenant. It provides the divine motivation for all the historical interventions detailed in the preceding verses, leading into the psalm's concluding call for Israel to observe God's statutes and laws, thereby living in accordance with the covenant He so faithfully kept.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalms 105 is the post-Exilic period, likely composed to remind a generation that had experienced displacement and hardship of God's enduring faithfulness to their ancestors. It served as a vital liturgical and pedagogical tool, ensuring that the foundational narratives of Israel's identity—their election, deliverance, and inheritance—were preserved and understood as expressions of God's covenant loyalty. Culturally, the concept of "remembering" a covenant (Hebrew: *zakar*) was not merely a mental exercise but an active commitment to uphold one's sworn obligations. For God to "remember" His promise meant He was actively moving to fulfill it, often through miraculous intervention. The reference to Abraham as "His servant" (Hebrew: *'ebed*) placed him in a revered position of trust and intimacy, akin to a faithful steward or trusted advisor, a status that carried immense honor in ancient Near Eastern societies.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 105:42 powerfully reinforces several central themes woven throughout the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **God's Unfailing Faithfulness and Covenant Loyalty**. The phrase "he remembered his holy promise" underscores that God's actions are rooted in His unchanging character and His unwavering commitment to His word. This divine reliability is the bedrock of Israel's history and their hope for the future, a truth echoed in passages like [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God's Unchanging Nature"). Closely related is the **Abrahamic Covenant**, which is explicitly named as the driving force behind God's interventions. This foundational covenant, detailed in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham and the Covenant Promises") and expanded upon in [Genesis 15](/genesis/15 "Genesis 15 - God's Covenant with Abraham"), promised land, descendants, and universal blessing, forming the theological framework for all subsequent divine-human interaction with Israel. Finally, the designation of **Abraham as God's Servant** highlights the unique and intimate relationship between God and His chosen instruments, signifying not mere subservience but a profound partnership and trust, a concept also seen in [Isaiah 41:8](/isaiah/41-8 "Isaiah 41:8 - Abraham, God's Servant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remembered (Hebrew, _zakar'_):** This verb signifies far more than a simple mental recall. In a theological context, *zakar* denotes an active, purposeful remembrance that leads to intervention and fulfillment of a promise. When God "remembers" His covenant, it means He is moving decisively to bring His word to fruition, demonstrating His active engagement with His creation and His commitment to His sworn oaths. This active remembrance is seen in God's intervention on behalf of Noah in [Genesis 8:1](/genesis/8-1 "Genesis 8:1 - God Remembers Noah"), and His response to Israel's groaning in Egypt in [Exodus 2:24](/exodus/2-24 "Exodus 2:24 - God Remembers His Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob").
* **Promise (Hebrew, _qodesh'_):** While the KJV translates "holy promise," the Hebrew word *qodesh* primarily means "holiness" or "sanctuary." Here, it functions as an adjective modifying an implied noun like "word" or "covenant." The emphasis is on the sacred, set-apart nature of God's pledge. It's not just any promise, but one imbued with divine sanctity, making its fulfillment absolutely certain due to God's holy character.
* **Servant (Hebrew, _'ebed'_):** When applied to Abraham, *'ebed* signifies a position of honor, trust, and intimate relationship with God, rather than mere subservience. It denotes one who is specially chosen and commissioned by God for a divine purpose, reflecting a deep bond and mutual commitment. This term elevates Abraham's status, aligning with his designation as "the friend of God" in [James 2:23](/james/2-23 "James 2:23 - Abraham, the Friend of God").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he remembered his holy promise":** This clause provides the foundational reason for all the divine actions recounted in the preceding psalm. God's remembrance is not a passive mental act but an active, purposeful commitment to His covenant. The "holy promise" refers to the sacred, divinely initiated covenant made with Abraham, highlighting its inviolable nature and the absolute certainty of its fulfillment due to God's own character and holiness.
* **"[and] Abraham his servant":** This second clause specifies the recipient and key figure of the "holy promise." By naming Abraham, the psalm grounds God's faithfulness in a specific historical covenant, emphasizing its personal nature. The designation "his servant" underscores Abraham's unique relationship with God, a relationship characterized by trust, obedience, and a special role in God's redemptive plan. This personal connection reinforces the idea that God's promises are deeply rooted in His relationship with His chosen people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Metonymy** is present in "holy promise," where "holy" (referring to God's character) stands for the entire covenant that God made, emphasizing its divine origin and inviolable nature. The act of "remembering" itself, when attributed to God, functions as a form of **Anthropomorphism**, as it describes God using a human characteristic. However, this anthropomorphism is highly significant, conveying not a fallibility of memory, but God's active and intentional commitment to His word, prompting divine action. The phrase also utilizes **Emphasis** through its position as a theological summary statement following a long historical narrative, drawing the reader's attention to the underlying reason for God's interventions. Furthermore, the simple, declarative structure contributes to the verse's **Didactic** purpose, clearly stating a fundamental theological truth about God's character and covenant faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 105:42 serves as a powerful theological anchor, connecting the historical acts of God to His unchanging covenant character. It underscores the biblical truth that God's redemptive history is not a series of disconnected events but a coherent narrative driven by His faithfulness to His promises. This verse establishes a foundational principle: God's actions are always consistent with His word. It teaches us that divine intervention is often a direct fulfillment of prior divine commitments, providing assurance that God's purposes, once declared, will inevitably come to pass. This understanding builds trust in God's sovereignty and His meticulous attention to His sworn oaths, demonstrating that His love and faithfulness are the bedrock of salvation history.

* [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God Keeps Covenant and Steadfast Love")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Not Return Empty")
* [Hebrews 6:13-18](/hebrews/6-13 "Hebrews 6:13-18 - God's Oath and Promise are Unchangeable")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For the contemporary believer, Psalms 105:42 offers profound encouragement and a steadfast foundation for trust. In a world often characterized by broken promises and shifting allegiances, this verse reminds us that we serve a God whose faithfulness is absolute and unwavering. Just as He actively "remembered" and acted upon His covenant with Abraham and Israel, He remains utterly faithful to His promises to His people today, particularly those secured in Christ. This truth assures us that God's character is unchanging and His word is entirely reliable. When facing uncertainty, enduring seasons of waiting, or grappling with doubts, we can find immense comfort and confidence in the knowledge that God remembers His promises to us. Our hope is securely anchored in His divine faithfulness and active love, knowing that He is meticulously working to fulfill His redemptive plan in our lives and in the world, providing a firm foundation for our faith and a sure hope for the future.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's active "remembrance" of His promises impact your trust in Him during times of waiting or uncertainty?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to lean more fully on God's unchanging faithfulness as demonstrated in this verse?**
* **How does the concept of God's "holy promise" to Abraham inform your understanding of His promises to you as a believer in Christ?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for God to "remember" His promise?**

Answer: In biblical theology, when God "remembers" (Hebrew: *zakar*), it is not a passive mental recall, as if He had forgotten something. Rather, it signifies an active, purposeful engagement and intervention to fulfill a prior commitment or covenant. It means God is moving decisively to bring His word to fruition. For example, when God remembered Noah in [Genesis 8:1](/genesis/8-1 "Genesis 8:1 - God Remembers Noah"), it led to the receding of the floodwaters. Similarly, His remembrance of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in [Exodus 2:24](/exodus/2-24 "Exodus 2:24 - God Remembers His Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob") prompted His deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Thus, God's remembrance is always tied to His faithfulness and His sovereign action in history.

**What was the "holy promise" made to Abraham?**

Answer: The "holy promise" refers primarily to the Abrahamic Covenant, a foundational covenant in biblical history. This covenant, first articulated in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham and the Covenant Promises") and later expanded and confirmed in chapters like [Genesis 15](/genesis/15 "Genesis 15 - God's Covenant with Abraham") and [Genesis 17](/genesis/17 "Genesis 17 - The Covenant of Circumcision"), included several key components:
1. **Land:** Abraham's descendants would inherit the land of Canaan.
2. **Descendants:** He would have innumerable offspring, becoming a great nation.
3. **Blessing:** Abraham himself would be blessed, and through his lineage, all the families of the earth would be blessed.
4. **Relationship:** God would be their God, and they would be His people.
This promise was "holy" because it originated from God's own sacred character and was therefore inviolable and certain to be fulfilled.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 105:42 finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "holy promise" made to Abraham, which included the blessing of all nations through his seed, culminates in Christ. As [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed is Christ") declares, "Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, 'And to offsprings,' referring to many, but referring to one, 'And to your offspring,' who is Christ." God's active remembrance of His covenant is perfectly demonstrated in the sending of His Son, the very embodiment of His faithfulness. Through Christ, the promises of land and countless descendants are transformed and spiritualized, encompassing a spiritual inheritance and a multitude of believers from every tribe and nation, as seen in [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Multitude from Every Nation"). Jesus, as the ultimate "servant" of God, perfectly fulfills the role foreshadowed by Abraham, obediently carrying out the Father's will even unto death on the cross, thereby securing the new covenant promises for all who believe. His atoning work is the definitive act of God "remembering" His holy promise to redeem humanity and establish His eternal kingdom, making all God's promises "Yes" and "Amen" in Him, as affirmed in [2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are 'Yes' in Christ").

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

Exodus 2:24

And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

Luke 1:72

To perform the mercy [promised] to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

Luke 1:73

The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

Luke 1:54

He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of [his] mercy;

Luke 1:55

As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Genesis 12:7

And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Exodus 32:13

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit [it] for ever.