The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
July 20, 2023 - Thursday, 15th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalm 105:1 and 5, 8-9, 24-25, 26-27
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations--
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
He greatly increased his people
and made them stronger than their foes,
Whose hearts he changed, so that they hated his people,
and dealt deceitfully with his servants.
He sent Moses his servant;
Aaron, whom he had chosen.
They wrought his signs among them,
and wonders in the land of Ham.
Psalm 105, particularly the fragment we hear today, contains allusions to the history of Israel that are recognizable to those familiar with the Bible. It references the promises made to Abraham and Isaac regarding their numerous descendants, as well as the covenant God entered into with them. The psalmist recalls God's faithfulness in verses 8-9, affirming that He remembers His covenant forever.
The book of Exodus begins with the settling of Jacob's family, consisting of seventy members, in Egypt, where Joseph was already present. The Israelites multiplied and grew strong, which displeased the Pharaoh, leading him to implement a deceitful birth control policy aimed at the Jewish population. The psalmist refers to this policy as "deceitful dealing" (Psalm 105:25).
Despite the Pharaoh's attempts, the plan to control Israel's population backfired. Moses was born and raised in Pharaoh's court, and together with his brother Aaron, they became instruments of God's justice against Egypt for their crimes against Israel. The liberation of Israel was achieved through signs and wonders, as the psalmist reminds us (Psalm 105:26-27).
At the core of this psalm lies the message that the Lord never forgets His covenant with Abraham, promising him the land and numerous descendants. This message held particular importance during times when Israel lost possession of the land, such as during the Babylonian exile and then from the time of the Roman Empire until 1948. It provided hope and reassurance that the right to possess the land came from God.
From a Christian perspective, we can interpret the "land of Ham" as a symbol of our enslavement to sin, from which we have been liberated by someone greater than Moses and Aaron—our Lord Jesus Christ. The covenant made with Abraham confirmed to Isaac, finds fulfilment in the offering of Abraham's descendant, Jesus Christ. Through Him, all nations are blessed and find salvation.
Thus, Psalm 105 invites us to reflect on the faithfulness of God in remembering His covenant and liberating His people. It reminds us of the enduring promises made to Abraham and the ultimate fulfilment found in Jesus Christ. The psalm's message provides hope, assurance, and a reminder that God's faithfulness extends throughout generations, encompassing both the historical journey of Israel and the redemptive work of Christ for all humanity.