Psalm 105:12

Translations

Modern

When they were few in number, few indeed, and strangers in the land,

Traditional

When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.

Literal

In their being few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it,

Latin

…cum essent numero brevi, paucissimi, et incolæ ejus.

Original

Hebrew

English

When they were few in number, few indeed, and strangers in the land,

Notes

Psalms 105:12–15

The Lord protected Israel’s patriarchs, the early fathers of the nation.

Psalms 105:1–45

This hymn praises the Lord’s faithfulness to Abraham and his descendants in all their journeys:
- from Ur to Canaan (Psalm 105:12),
- to Egypt (Psalm 105:17, 23),
- through the wilderness (Psalm 105:37, 41), and
- back to Canaan (Psalm 105:44).
These events fulfilled the Lord's promise to Abraham (Psalm 105:9, 42), which was the basis for Israel’s very existence. Joseph, whose suffering turned into glory, serves as a model of encouragement for Israel (Psalm 105:16–25).
Psalm 105:1–15 (along with 96; 106:1, 47–48) is included in David’s song of praise recorded in 1 Chronicles 16.

Theme notes and profiles

David God’s Covenant with Abraham

Related verses

Genesis 34:30
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble upon me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people of this land. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.”
Deuteronomy 7:7
The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.
Hebrews 11:9
By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
Genesis 23:4
“I am a foreigner and an outsider among you. Give me a burial site among you so that I can bury my dead.”
Deuteronomy 26:5
…and you are to declare before the LORD your God, “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt few in number and lived there and became a great nation, mighty and numerous.
Isaiah 51:2
Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.
Genesis 17:8
And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.”
Acts 7:5
He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised to give possession of the land to Abraham and his descendants, even though he did not yet have a child.
Ezekiel 33:24–33
“Son of man, those living in the ruins in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land. But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as a possession.’
Hebrews 11:12
And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

Psalm 105:12

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