Psalm 105:8-10 NKJV
8
He remembers His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,
9
The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac,
10
And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel as an everlasting covenant,
Charles Spurgeon
“He hath remembered his covenant forever.” Here is the basis of all his dealings with his people: he had entered into covenant with them in their father Abraham, and to this covenant, he remained faithful. The exhortation to remember (Psa 105:5) receives great force from the fact that God has remembered. If the Lord has his promise in memory surely we ought not to forget the wonderful manner in which he keeps it. To us, it should be a matter for deepest joy that never in any instance has the Lord been unmindful of his covenant engagements, nor will he be so world without end.
“The word which he commanded to a thousand generations.” This is only an amplification of the former statement and serves to set before us the immutable fidelity of the Lord during the changing generations of men. His judgments are threatened upon the third and fourth generations of them that hate him, but his love runs on forever even to “a thousand generations.” His promise is here said to be commanded, or vested with all the authority of a law. It is a proclamation from a sovereign, the firman of an Emperor whose laws shall stand fast in every jot and tittle though heaven and earth shall pass away. Therefore let us give thanks unto the Lord and talk of all his wondrous works, so wonderful for their faithfulness and truth.
“Which covenant he made with Abraham.” When the victims were divided and the burning lamp passed between the pieces (Gen 15) then the Lord made, or ratified, the covenant with the patriarch. This was a solemn deed, performed not without blood, and the cutting in pieces of the sacrifice; it points us to the greater covenant which in Christ Jesus is signed, sealed, and ratified, that it may stand fast forever and ever.
“And his oath unto Isaac.” Isaac did not in vision see the solemn making of the covenant, but the Lord renewed unto him his oath (Gen 26:2-5). This was enough for him and must have established his faith in the Most High. We have the privilege of seeing in our Lord Jesus both the sacrificial seal and the eternal oath of God, by which every promise of the covenant is made yea and amen to all the chosen seed.
“And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law.” Jacob in his wondrous dream (Gen 28:10-15) received a pledge that the Lord’s mode of procedure with him would be in accordance with covenant relations: for said Jehovah, “I will not leave thee till I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.” Thus, if we may so speak with all reverence, the covenant became a law unto the Lord himself by which he bound himself to act.
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Enduring Word
The word which He commanded: “Notice the expression, the word that he commanded, as a parallel term to his covenant. It puts the stress on God’s initiative and authority in the covenant-making, which means that this bond with men is by grace, not mutual bargaining, and serves the interests of God’s kingdom, not the selfish ends of men.” (Kidner)
Already in Psalm 105, we have repetition of the word He. “The master word in the psalm is the pronoun ‘He.’ In constant repetition it shows the one thought uppermost in the mind of the singer. It is that of perpetual activity of God in all those experiences through which His people have passed.” (Morgan)
Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, seems to have paraphrased Psalm 105:8-11 as recorded in Luke 1:72-75. “Zacharias, under the immediate influence and direction of the Holy Spirit, transfers the language of the old dispensation to the affairs of the new one; he celebrates the redemption of the world, by Christ, from sin and death, in words which literally describe the redemption of Israel from Egypt by Moses.” (Horne)
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Barnes
He hath remembered his covenant forever – That is, God has had it constantly in remembrance, or always. Compare the notes at Luke 1:72. Though the covenant was made long since; though many generations of people have passed by; though great changes have occurred; though many calamities have come upon the nations, yet his ancient covenant and promise have never been forgotten. All his promises have been fulfilled; all ever will be. The “covenant” here referred to is that which was made with Abraham, and through him with the Hebrew people.
To a thousand generations – Very many generations; or, any number of generations: that is, always. Compare Exodus 20:6. The experience of the people through all the generations of their history has shown that in what he has promised and directed he is unchanging.
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John Gill
He hath remembered his covenant forever,.… Another argument of praise taken from the covenant of grace, in which he is our God, and of which he is ever mindful; he remembers his covenant ones, whom he perfectly knows, and never forgets them; he remembers his covenant promises to them, and allows them to put him in remembrance of them; he has respect unto his covenant, and the blessings of it, and bestows them on his people; gives them the sure mercies of David; and he remembers his love, which is the source and spring of all.
And to Israel for an everlasting covenant: for being remembered, commanded, repeated, and confirmed by the Lord, it can never be broken; and being well ordered, remains sure, and is as immovable as rocks and mountains, and more so: as it was made with Christ from everlasting, it will continue to be made good to his people to everlasting; and is a just reason for praise; it being the basis of faith and hope; the ground of joy, peace, and comfort here, and of eternal happiness hereafter.
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Matthew Henry
God’s promise to the patriarchs, that great promise that he would give to their seed the land of Canaan for an inheritance, which was a type of the promise of eternal life made in Christ to all believers. In all the marvelous works which God did for Israel, he remembered his covenant (v. 8) and he will remember it for ever; it is the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. See here the power of the promise; it is the word which he commanded and which will take effect. See the perpetuity of the promise; it is commanded to a thousand generations, and the entail of it shall not be cut off. In the parallel place it is expressed as our duty (1 Chr. 16:15), Be you mindful always of his covenant. God will not forget it and therefore we must not. The promise is here called a covenant because there was something required on man’s part as the condition of the promise.
The ratifications of the covenant; it was made sure by all that is sacred. Is that sure which is sworn to? It is his oath to Isaac and to Abraham. See to whom God swore by himself, Heb. 6:13, 14. Is that sure which has passed into a law? He confirmed the same for a law, a law never to be repealed. Is that sure which is reduced to a mutual contract and stipulation? This is confirmed for an everlasting covenant, inviolable.
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Benson
Psalm 105:8-11. He hath remembered his covenant forever — Or, will remember it; that is, practically, so as to perform and make it good. The word — The promise; which he commanded — Established, or appointed, to a thousand generations — To all generations; a certain number being put for an uncertain. And his oath unto Isaac — Wherewith he ratified the covenant with him, Genesis 26:3. And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law — That it might be as firm and irrevocable as a law; saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan — The patriarchs had no right to it, save by promise, and their seed were to be put in possession of it, not by the common ways of settling nations, but by miracles; God would give it them himself, and, as it were, with his own hand; and so that it should be, as their lot, assigned and measured out to them by God, even the lot of their inheritance — To which they should have a sure title by virtue of their birth: it should come to them by descent, not by purchase; by the favor of God, and not by any merit of their own.
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Geneva Bible 1560
Psalm 105:8-10
8 He hath alwaie remembred his covenant and promise, that he made to a thousand generations,
9 Even that which he e made with Abrahám and his othe unto Izhák:
10 And since hath confirmed it to Jaakób for a law, and to Israél for an everlasting covenant,
e The promise which God made to Abraham to be his God, and the God of his seed after him, he renewed and repeated it again to his seed after him.
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Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21 NKJV
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