Psalms 105:44

KJV

And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;

KJV (with Strong's)

And gave {H5414} them the lands {H776} of the heathen {H1471}: and they inherited {H3423} the labour {H5999} of the people {H3816};

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he gave them the lands of the nations, and they possessed what peoples had toiled to produce,

Berean Standard Bible

He gave them the lands of the nations, that they might inherit the fruit of others’ labor,

American Standard Version

And he gave them the lands of the nations; And they took the labor of the peoples in possession:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 105:44 beautifully encapsulates the culmination of God's covenant faithfulness to Israel, detailing how He sovereignly delivered on His promise to grant them the land of Canaan. This verse highlights not only the physical possession of territory previously inhabited by other nations but also the extraordinary grace by which Israel inherited an established infrastructure and cultivated resources, signifying a divine provision that required no labor on their part. It stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering commitment to His word and His people throughout history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 105 is a historical psalm, serving as a hymn of praise that meticulously recounts God's benevolent acts towards Israel from the calling of Abraham to their settlement in the Promised Land. The psalm begins with an exhortation to remember God's wondrous works and judgments, then systematically traces His covenant with Abraham, the trials in Egypt, the miraculous Exodus, the wilderness provisions, and finally, the conquest and inheritance of Canaan. Verse 44 appears as the penultimate verse of this historical review, immediately preceding the psalm's concluding call for Israel to observe God's statutes. It acts as a climactic summary, emphasizing the fulfillment of the long-standing land promise, which is a central theme throughout the preceding narrative of divine intervention and faithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This verse refers to the period of the Israelite conquest and settlement of Canaan, roughly spanning from the late Bronze Age into the Iron Age (c. 1400-1200 BC, depending on dating models). The "heathen" refer to the various indigenous Canaanite peoples (e.g., Amorites, Hittites, Jebusites) who inhabited the land. Culturally, the concept of inheriting land was foundational to identity and security in the ancient Near East, but Israel's inheritance was unique because it was a divine grant, not a conquest based on their own strength or merit. Furthermore, inheriting "the labour of the people" speaks to the extraordinary blessing of receiving established cities, houses, wells, vineyards, and olive groves that they did not build or cultivate, a point explicitly made in [Deuteronomy 6:10-11](/deuteronomy/6-10 "Deuteronomy 6:10-11 - Inheriting Prepared Lands"). This highlights God's comprehensive provision and the unearned nature of their blessing.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 105 and the broader biblical narrative. First, it underscores **Divine Faithfulness** to the covenant, specifically the land promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (e.g., [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham Regarding the Land")). God's word is shown to be utterly reliable, fulfilled across generations. Second, it highlights **Sovereign Provision**, demonstrating God's complete control over history and His ability to provide abundantly for His people, even through the efforts of others. This unmerited blessing emphasizes God's grace. Finally, the verse implicitly touches on **Divine Justice**, as the dispossession of the "heathen" nations was also an act of judgment against their wickedness, paving the way for God's covenant people to inhabit the land He had prepared for them. The entire [book of Joshua](/joshua/1 "The Book of Joshua - Conquest and Inheritance") details the fulfillment of this promise, culminating in Israel's rest in the land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heathen (Hebrew, _goyim_):** This term, often translated as "nations" or "gentiles," refers here specifically to the non-Israelite peoples who inhabited Canaan prior to the Israelite conquest. While _goyim_ can be a neutral term for any nation, in this context, it carries the connotation of those outside God's covenant with Israel, whose lands were divinely appointed for Israel's inheritance. It highlights the distinction between God's chosen people and the surrounding nations, whose moral corruption often led to their dispossession.
* **Labour (Hebrew, _amal_):** The Hebrew word _amal_ typically denotes "toil," "trouble," or "painful effort." However, in this specific context, it refers to the *product* or *fruit* of such labor. Israel inherited the cultivated fields, vineyards, built cities, and established infrastructure that the previous inhabitants had painstakingly created. This emphasizes the extraordinary nature of God's provision: Israel received a fully developed land, not a wilderness they had to build from scratch, underscoring the unearned and gracious nature of their inheritance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And gave them the lands of the heathen:"** This clause emphasizes God's active role as the ultimate giver and sovereign owner of the earth. The lands, though inhabited by other nations, were God's to bestow. This act was a direct fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant, demonstrating God's power to dispossess one people and establish another according to His divine plan and promise. It underscores that Israel's possession was not by their might, but by divine grant.
* **"and they inherited the labour of the people;"** This second clause elaborates on the nature of the inheritance, highlighting its unearned quality. "The people" refers to the "heathen" mentioned in the first clause. Israel did not have to toil to build cities, plant vineyards, or cultivate fields; they simply entered into and possessed what others had already developed. This speaks volumes about God's generous provision and the profound grace extended to His covenant people, providing for them in a way that bypassed the usual human effort and struggle.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices. **Parallelism** is evident, as the two clauses reinforce and elaborate upon the same central idea: God's gift of the land to Israel. "Gave them the lands of the heathen" is paralleled by "they inherited the labour of the people," with the second clause specifying the rich nature of that inheritance. This repetition emphasizes the completeness and generosity of God's act. Furthermore, **Metonymy** is present in the phrase "the labour of the people," where "labour" stands for the *results* or *fruits* of their labor (e.g., houses, vineyards, fields). This concise phrasing effectively conveys the idea of receiving pre-existing wealth. Finally, the verse showcases the clear distinction between **Divine Action** ("gave them") and **Human Reception** ("they inherited"), underscoring God's sovereign initiative and Israel's passive, yet blessed, role in receiving His covenant promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 105:44 stands as a profound testament to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and His sovereign control over the course of human history. The giving of the land was the climactic fulfillment of promises made centuries earlier, demonstrating that God's word is utterly reliable, even across generations and despite formidable obstacles. It highlights the concept of divine grace, where Israel received an inheritance not through their own merit or effort, but as a pure gift from God, built upon the "labour" of others. This act also serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice, as the dispossession of the Canaanites was intertwined with their idolatry and wickedness, making way for His chosen people. The verse encapsulates the truth that God actively works in the world to bring His long-term plans to fruition, ensuring His promises are ultimately realized.

* [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - God's Covenant with Abraham Regarding the Land")
* [Deuteronomy 6:10-11](/deuteronomy/6-10 "Deuteronomy 6:10-11 - Inheriting Prepared Lands")
* [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - The Lord Gave Israel All the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 105:44 offers enduring lessons for believers, inviting us to reflect on God's character and our own journey of faith. Just as God meticulously fulfilled His ancient promise to Israel regarding the land, we are encouraged to place our unwavering trust in His promises for our lives today. This verse reminds us that God is actively involved in orchestrating circumstances, often working behind the scenes and through the efforts of others, to bring about His good purposes for us. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of profound gratitude, recognizing that many of the blessings we enjoy—whether material, relational, or spiritual—are unearned gifts, the "labour" of others or the direct result of God's unmerited favor. Understanding God's sovereign hand in history, as vividly portrayed here, fosters peace and confidence, assuring us that He is faithful to complete what He has begun, even when the waiting period is long or the path seems unclear.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's faithfulness to Israel's land promise, as seen in this verse, encourage your trust in His promises for your life today, especially when circumstances seem challenging or delays occur?**
* **In what areas of your life have you "inherited the labor of others" or received blessings you didn't earn? How does this foster a deeper sense of humility and gratitude towards God?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereign control over history, as demonstrated by His giving of the land and its resources, impact your perspective on current global events or personal uncertainties?**

### FAQ
**What does "lands of the heathen" mean in this context?**

Answer: In this context, "lands of the heathen" refers to the territories within Canaan that were inhabited by various non-Israelite nations, such as the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, and Perizzites, among others. These peoples were distinct from Israel, and their lands were divinely appointed by God to be given to His covenant people as part of His long-standing promise to Abraham. It highlights that God, as the ultimate sovereign over all the earth, has the right and power to transfer ownership of territories as an act of both judgment on the previous inhabitants due to their wickedness and faithfulness to His covenant with Israel.

**How did Israel "inherit the labour of the people"?**

Answer: To "inherit the labour of the people" means that the Israelites received already-developed and productive assets that they did not have to build, cultivate, or create themselves. This included established cities with houses, wells already dug, and vineyards and olive groves already planted and bearing fruit. Rather than entering a desolate wilderness, they received a land that was already productive and equipped with infrastructure. This extraordinary provision is further elaborated in [Deuteronomy 6:10-11](/deuteronomy/6-10 "Deuteronomy 6:10-11 - Inheriting Prepared Lands"), which describes inheriting "great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, and houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not." It underscores the unmerited grace and comprehensive blessing bestowed by God upon His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 105:44, while speaking of a physical inheritance in Canaan, powerfully foreshadows the spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ. The "lands of the heathen" and the "labour of the people" represent a tangible blessing given by God, not earned by Israel's efforts. In the New Covenant, this finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the true and eternal inheritance. We, as spiritual Israel, do not earn our salvation or spiritual blessings; rather, we "inherit" them through the completed "labour" of Christ on the cross. He dispossessed the spiritual "heathen"—the powers of sin, death, and the devil—through His victory, granting us access to a spiritual kingdom and an eternal dwelling not built with human hands. Through faith in Him, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing")), inheriting a kingdom that cannot be shaken ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - Receiving a Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken")). Our "Promised Land" is not a geographical territory but the new creation and eternal life in communion with God, fully secured by Christ's unearned work, making us heirs according to the promise ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")) and qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in light ([Colossians 1:12](/colossians/1-12 "Colossians 1:12 - Qualified for the Inheritance")).

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

Psalms 78:55

He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

Deuteronomy 6:10

And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,

Deuteronomy 6:11

And houses full of all good [things], which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;

Joshua 24:13

And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.

Psalms 44:2

[How] thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; [how] thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.

Psalms 44:3

For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.

Joshua 11:23

So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.