In Praise of the Lord of History: From Abraham to the Settlement in the Land

105:1–45 The opening calls for congregational praise (vv. 1–6; v. 7 being an introductory summary) clearly signal that this is a hymnic praise psalm. It recites God’s praise not in general terms (e.g., referring simply to his “mercy” and “mighty acts”) but in the specific terms of historical acts, namely those of Israel’s early history also narrated in Genesis–Joshua. Verses 1–15 are contained in 1 Chronicles 16:8–22, where they are included in the psalm of thanks sung during the ark’s first ascent into Jerusalem (see further “David and the Psalms” in the Introduction). The connection between this psalm and the ark may seem strange, but there might be a link in the imperative, Look to the LORD and his strength; see…