Psalm 105:2-3 NKJV
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
3
Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
Charles Spurgeon
“Talk ye of all his wondrous works.” Men love to speak of marvels, and others are generally glad to hear of surprising things; surely the believer in the living God has before him the most amazing series of wonders ever heard of or imagined, his themes are inexhaustible and they are such as should hold men spellbound. We ought to have more of this “talk:” No one would be blamed as a Mr. Talkative if this were his constant theme. Talk ye, all of you: you all know something by experience of the marvelous loving kindness of the Lord—”talk ye.” In this way, by all dwelling on this blessed subject, “all” his wondrous works will be published. One cannot do it, nor ten thousand times ten thousand, but if all speak to the Lord’s honor, they will at least come nearer to accomplishing the deed. We ought to have a wide range when conversing upon the Lord’s doings, and should not shut our eyes to any part of them. Talk ye of his wondrous works in creation and in grace, in judgment and in mercy, in providential interpositions and in spiritual comforting; leave out none, or it will be to your damage. Obedience to this verse will give every sanctified tongue some work to do: the trained musicians can sing, and the commoner voices can talk, and in both ways, the Lord will receive a measure of the thanks due to him, and his deeds will be made known among the people.
“Glory ye in his holy name.” Make it a matter of joy that you have such a God. His character and attributes are such as will never make you blush to call him your God. Idolaters may well be ashamed of the actions attributed to their fancied deities, their names are foul with lust and red with blood, but Jehovah is wholly glorious; every deed of his will bear the strictest scrutiny; his name is holy, his character is holy, his law is holy, his government is holy, his influence is holy. In all this we may make our boast, nor can any deny our right to do so.
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Enduring Word
Sing to Him: As in many other places in the Psalms, God’s people are told the importance of praising Him in song. The songs should be sung to Him, and not to an audience or merely for one’s own pleasure. (Guzik)
Glory in His holy name: We can glory in many things. Some glory in wealth or status, while others glory in pleasure or entertainment. God’s people rightly find their greatest glory in His holy name. (Guzik)
i. VanGemeren suggested three goals accomplished with praise in the context of this psalm.
· Praise magnifies the LORD, attributing power, holiness, and glory to Him.
· Praise intensifies an appreciation of the history of redemption.
· Praise witnesses to those outside the covenant community.
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Barnes
Glory ye in his holy name – The original word rendered “glory” is the same word which is commonly used to denote “praise,” and it has that meaning here. The idea is, In your praises let the main subject be the name of God – that holy name by which he chooses to be known. The Hebrew is, “the name of his holiness.” It implies
(a) that we should rejoice in God – in his very name – in that by which he chooses to make himself known;
(b) that it is a special subject of praise and rejoicing that his name is “holy;” that is, that he is a holy Being.
This can be a subject of real rejoicing only to those who are themselves holy; but properly considered, one of the highest reasons for rejoicing in God is the fact that he is holy; that he cannot look upon sin but with abhorrence. There would be no ground of confidence in God if this were not so.
Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord – That desire to know him; that come to praise him. Let their hearts rejoice – or, let them be happy:
(a) because they are “permitted” to seek him;
(b) because they are inclined to seek him;
(c) because they have such a God to come to – One so mighty, so holy, so good, so gracious.
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John Gill
Glory ye in his holy name,…. In the knowledge of it, as proclaimed in Christ; in being called by his name, and in having the honor to call upon his name; in the holiness of it; and in Christ being made sanctification as well as righteousness, in whom all the seed of Israel are justified and glory; as they may also of interest in him, and communion with him.
Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord; while he may be found, and where he may be found; who seek him in Christ, and under the guidance and direction of his Spirit; who seek him with their whole hearts, diligently and constantly. The Targum is, “who seek doctrine from the Lord.” Such may and should rejoice in him, and in him only; and that always, as they have reason to do, even in their hearts, since they that seek him find him; and whether it be at first conversion, or afterwards, or when he has for a time hid his face; it must be a matter of joy to them, even to their very hearts, to find him whom they seek.
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Matthew Henry
Talk of all his wondrous works (v. 2), as we talk of things that we are full of, and much affected with, and desire to fill others with. God’s wondrous works ought to be the subject of our familiar discourses with our families and friends, and we should talk of them as we sit in the house and as we go by the way (Deu. 6:7), not merely for entertainment, but for the exciting of devotion and the encouraging of our own and others’ faith and hope in God. Even sacred things may be the matter of common talk, provided it be with due reverence.
Let the hearts of those rejoice that do seek him (v. 3); for they have chosen well, are well fixed, and well employed, and they may be sure that their labor will not be in vain, for he will not only be found but he will be found the rewarder of those that diligently seek him. If those have reason to rejoice that seek the Lord, much more those that have found him.
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Clarke
Talk ye of all his wondrous works. — נפלאתיו niphleothaiv, “of his miracles.” Who have so many of these to boast of as Christians! Christianity is a tissue of miracles, and every part of the work of grace on the soul is a miracle. Genuine Christian converts may talk of miracles from morning to night, and they should talk of them, and recommend to others their miracle-working God and Savior.
Glory ye in his holy name — Show the name Jesus: exult in it – praise it. His name was called Jesus; because he came to save his people from their sins.
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Benson
Glory ye in his holy name — Glory in the God whom you serve as the only true God and a Being possessed of infinite power and goodness. For nothing can be so great an honor to you as that you are the servants of such a mighty Lord, who infinitely transcends all other beings. Let them rejoice that seek the Lord — That seek an acquaintance and friendship with him; that seek to know, love, and serve him here, and to enjoy him hereafter above all the things of the world;
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Geneva Bible 1560
Psalm 105:2-3
2 Sing unto him, sing praise unto him, and talk of all his wonderous works.
3 Rejoyce in his holie Name: let the heart of them that seek the Lord, rejoyce.
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“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV
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