the covenant He made with AbrahamThe covenant with Abraham is foundational in biblical theology, marking the beginning of God's special relationship with the people of Israel. This covenant is first detailed in
Genesis 12:1-3, where God promises Abraham land, descendants, and blessings. It is further elaborated in
Genesis 15 and 17, where God establishes the covenant through a formal ceremony and the sign of circumcision. This covenant is unconditional, relying solely on God's faithfulness, and it sets the stage for the unfolding narrative of redemption throughout the Bible. The promise of land is significant, as it points to the geographical region of Canaan, which becomes central to Israel's history. The covenant also foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, as Paul explains in
Galatians 3:16, identifying Christ as the ultimate "seed" of Abraham through whom all nations would be blessed.
and the oath He swore to Isaac
The oath to Isaac reaffirms the promises made to Abraham, ensuring the continuation of the covenant through his lineage. This is recorded inGenesis 26:2-5, where God appears to Isaac and reiterates the promise of land, numerous descendants, and blessings. The oath signifies God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, emphasizing His faithfulness across generations. Isaac's role is crucial as he serves as a bridge between Abraham and Jacob, maintaining the covenantal line. The cultural context of oaths in the ancient Near East underscores the seriousness and binding nature of God's promise. This oath also points forward to the New Testament, where the fulfillment of God's promises is realized in Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate heir of the covenant blessings, as seen inHebrews 6:13-20, where God's oath is linked to the assurance of salvation through Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
AbrahamThe patriarch with whom God made a covenant, promising him numerous descendants and a land for his people. Abraham is a central figure in the account of God's chosen people.
2.
IsaacThe son of Abraham, through whom the covenantal promises were reaffirmed. Isaac represents the continuation of God's promise to Abraham.
3.
CovenantA solemn agreement between God and His people, often involving promises and commitments. In this context, it refers to God's promise to Abraham and his descendants.
4.
OathA formal promise or vow. God's oath to Isaac signifies the seriousness and unchangeable nature of His promises.
5.
Land of CanaanThe land promised to Abraham and his descendants, symbolizing God's provision and faithfulness.
Teaching Points
God's FaithfulnessThe covenant with Abraham and the oath to Isaac demonstrate God's unwavering faithfulness. Believers can trust in God's promises, knowing He is true to His word.
Generational PromisesGod's promises extend beyond individual lifetimes, impacting future generations. This encourages believers to live faithfully, knowing their actions can influence their descendants.
Covenantal RelationshipUnderstanding the nature of God's covenant with His people helps believers appreciate their relationship with God, marked by His commitment and love.
Assurance in God's WordJust as God kept His promises to Abraham and Isaac, believers can have confidence in the reliability of Scripture and God's promises to them.
Living in PromiseBelievers are called to live in the light of God's promises, allowing His faithfulness to guide their actions and decisions.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Psalm 105:9?
2.How does Psalm 105:9 emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham?
3.What role does God's covenant play in our daily trust and obedience?
4.How can we apply the faithfulness shown in Psalm 105:9 to our lives?
5.How does Psalm 105:9 connect with God's promises in Genesis 17:7?
6.In what ways can we remember God's covenant in our personal prayer life?
7.How does Psalm 105:9 affirm God's covenant with Abraham?
8.What historical evidence supports the events described in Psalm 105?
9.How does Psalm 105:9 relate to the overall theme of God's faithfulness?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 105?
11.What is the Bible's perspective on Zionism?
12.Deuteronomy 9:4-5 - Does the text's justification for driving out other nations align with moral standards or does it conflict with the idea of a just God?
13.Why should the Israelites claim cities they did not build and harvest crops they did not plant (Deuteronomy 6:10-11), and doesn't this raise ethical dilemmas?
14.Why did Jesus tell His disciples not to preach to Gentiles (Matthew 10:5-6), but later command them to go to all nations (Matthew 28:19)?What Does Psalm 105:9 Mean
the covenant He made with AbrahamPsalm 105:9 draws us back to those watershed moments in Genesis when God personally bound Himself to Abraham. Consider how Scripture fleshes this out:
•Genesis 12:1-3: “Go from your country… I will make you into a great nation… and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”
– Land, nation, worldwide blessing—three inseparable promises.
•Genesis 15:5-18 describes God alone passing between the split animals, signaling an unconditional pledge.
•Genesis 17:7-8 reiterates it as “an everlasting covenant,” granting Canaan “as an eternal possession.”
•Genesis 22:16-18 adds God’s sworn guarantee after Abraham offers Isaac: “because you have obeyed My voice… in your seed all nations of the earth will be blessed.”
Key takeaways:
– The covenant rests entirely on God’s faithfulness, not human merit (Galatians 3:17-18).
– It reaches far beyond ethnic Israel, anticipating a blessing for “all nations,” ultimately fulfilled in Christ, Abraham’s singular “Seed” (Galatians 3:16).
–Psalm 105:9-11 praises God for remembering and performing what He “commanded to a thousand generations,” showing His promises remain intact today (Luke 1:72-73).
the oath He swore to IsaacPsalm 105 singles out Isaac to highlight God’s unbroken chain of promise:
•Genesis 26:2-5: “I will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham… in your seed all the nations of the earth will be blessed.”
– Same land, same multiplication of descendants, same global blessing.
•Genesis 26:24: “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not fear, for I am with you.” Presence and protection accompany the oath.
•Hebrews 6:13-18 spotlights this event: God swore by Himself so that “we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.”
What stands out?
– God’s oath to Isaac is not a new agreement but a powerful confirmation; He doubles down on His word with an oath (Numbers 23:19).
– The promise bypasses human negotiation; it is handed down intact, showing divine consistency from generation to generation (Romans 9:7-9).
– By swearing, God offers His people unshakeable assurance that His redemptive plan, anchored in Abraham and Isaac, cannot fail.
summaryPsalm 105:9 celebrates God’s covenant faithfulness: He initiated an everlasting covenant with Abraham and sealed it with an oath to Isaac, guaranteeing land, descendants, and worldwide blessing. These promises roll forward through Scripture, culminating in Christ and extending hope to every believer. God remembers, God performs, and His sworn word still stands.
(9)
Made.--Literally,
cut;the usual word for making a covenant (
icere f?dus)
.The word is therefore here a synonym for "league," as in
Haggai 2:5.
Verse 9. -
Which covenant he made with Abraham (see
Genesis 15:18). A promise was given even earlier (
Genesis 12:14, 15); but it is not spoken of as a "covenant."
And his oath unto Isaac. The "oath" was originally sworn to Abraham (
Genesis 22:16); but a further promise to "perform the oath" was given to Isaac (
Genesis 26:3).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
[the covenant]אֲשֶׁ֣ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatHe madeכָּ֭רַת(kā·raṯ)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3772:To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenantwithאֶת־(’eṯ-)Preposition
Strong's 854:Nearness, near, with, by, at, amongAbraham,אַבְרָהָ֑ם(’aḇ·rā·hām)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85:Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nationand the oath He sworeוּשְׁב֖וּעָת֣וֹ(ū·šə·ḇū·‘ā·ṯōw)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7621:Something sworn, an oathto Isaac.לְיִשְׂחָֽק׃(lə·yiś·ḥāq)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3446:Isaac
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OT Poetry: Psalm 105:9 The covenant which he made with Abraham (Psalm Ps Psa.)