He watching over Israel slumbers not nor sleeps.
I. A BLESSED RETROSPECT.
1. He knows it is blessed, because, ere the psalmist sets it down, he summons, in intensely earnest, varied, and emphatic wag, all people to give thanks unto the Lord.
2. And he tells them wherefore they should hearken to his Word—because the Lord "hath remembered his covenant forever," etc. (Psalms 105:8).
3. Then comes the covenant history. He tells what the covenant was (Psalms 105:11), with whom it was made (Psalms 105:9), and to whom confirmed (Psalms 105:10). Then he tells of the apparent improbability of its fulfilment (Psalms 105:12), yet how God guarded them (Psalms 105:15). Then how strangely his work was carried on: sending dread famine (Psalms 105:16), and making them exiles in Egypt; sending Joseph, whom he had wonderfully prepared to be their helper in Egypt (Psalms 105:17-23). Then, when they were sufficiently multiplied, stirring up their nest there by means of the persecution they had to bear. Then came the mission of Moses and Aaron, and the ten plagues, so that at length Pharaoh was glad to let them go (Psalms 105:38). Then the triumphant exodus and the perpetual help in the wilderness, ending in the promised Canaan when the people were prepared for it (Psalms 105:44, Psalms 105:45). So did God lead his people by a right way, and so will he ever, though, as with Israel, the way may often seem very strange, unlikely, and the reverse of what we should have thought.
II. ITS LESSONS.
1. God's covenants ever come true, however unlikely and even impossible they may at times seem to be.
2. That it is a terrible thing to stand in opposition to them (Psalms 105:14, Psalms 105:27-37). Let us beware how we hinder the work of God.
3. God knows where to find and how to prepare his ministers in this work. "He sent Joseph; he sent Moses" (Psalms 105:17, Psalms 105:26). They who are to be chief in service have generally first to be chief in suffering.
4. The aim of God's covenant is the creation of a holy people (Psalms 105:45).
5. The remembrance of God's leading will ever be blessed.—S.C.