Psalms 105:44

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Psalms 105:44 concludes a historical recounting of God's mighty acts on behalf of Israel, highlighting His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Context

This verse is part of a longer psalm (Psalms 105) that serves as a hymn of praise, reviewing the history of God's dealings with His chosen people, from the covenant with Abraham to the Exodus, wilderness wanderings, and finally, their settlement in the land of Canaan. The psalm emphasizes God's sovereign control over historical events and His commitment to His word. Verse 44 specifically points to the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would inherit a land flowing with milk and honey, a promise often reiterated in the Old Testament.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness: The verse powerfully underscores God's commitment to His word. After generations of wandering and waiting, God brought Israel into the land He promised. This echoes His unchanging character and reliability, a theme consistent throughout scripture.
  • Sovereign Provision: God not only provided the land but also ensured that Israel inherited the existing infrastructure and cultivated resources of the previous inhabitants. This extraordinary provision meant they received the "labour of the people," signifying blessings that were not earned but freely given. This concept is further elaborated in Deuteronomy 6:10-11, which describes inheriting cities, houses, vineyards, and olive trees already established.
  • Fulfillment of Covenant: The giving of the land was the culmination of the covenant God made with Abraham, as recorded in Genesis 15:18. This act demonstrates God's power to bring His long-term plans to fruition, despite human obstacles or the passage of time.

Linguistic Insights

The term "heathen" is a translation of the Hebrew word goyim (גּוֹיִם), which simply refers to "nations" or "gentiles." In this context, it specifically denotes the non-Israelite peoples who inhabited Canaan, such as the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, whom God dispossessed. The phrase "inherited the labour of the people" uses the Hebrew word amal (עָמָל), which can mean toil or trouble, but here it refers to the fruits of their efforts – the cultivated fields, vineyards, houses, and cities that Israel received without having built or tilled them themselves.

Practical Application

Psalms 105:44 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Promises: Just as God fulfilled His promise to Israel regarding the land, we can trust that He will fulfill His promises to us. This encourages perseverance and faith, even when circumstances seem bleak or the waiting period is long.
  • Acknowledge Divine Grace: Often, the blessings we receive are the result of others' efforts or circumstances beyond our control, orchestrated by God. This calls for humility and gratitude, recognizing that much of what we enjoy is pure grace and unmerited favor.
  • God's Sovereign Hand: This verse reminds us that God is actively involved in history, orchestrating events to accomplish His purposes. This perspective fosters peace and confidence in His ultimate plan for our lives and the world, knowing He is always working for the good of those who love Him.
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 78:55 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    [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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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.