Log inSign up

Psalm 105 · a question people ask

The psalm says of Joseph, "until the time that his word happened" (105:19). Whose word?

In the text

The verse names two: "until the time that his word happened, and the LORD’s word proved him true" (105:19). In Hebrew they are two different words: his word is davar (tap word), and the LORD's word is imrah. The psalm doesn't say whose "his word" is. The man it has just named is Joseph: "Joseph was sold for a slave" (105:17). The one who "sent a man before them" (105:17) is the LORD, "the LORD, our God" (105:7). In Genesis the chief cup bearer (Genesis 41:9) tells Pharaoh of Joseph, "As he interpreted to us, so it was" (Genesis 41:13), and Genesis also gives Joseph's own words, "Don’t interpretations belong to God?" (Genesis 40:8). Psalm 12's chapter studies proved him true, the verb tsaraf beside imrah; these notes don't repeat it, and they don't choose whose word the psalm means.

The verses

“He is the LORD, our God. His judgments are in all the earth.”
Psalm 105:7 · World English Bible
“He sent a man before them. Joseph was sold for a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles. His neck was locked in irons, until the time that his word happened, and the LORD’s word proved him true.”
Psalm 105:17-19 · World English Bible
“They said to him, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.” Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Please tell it to me.””
Genesis 40:8 · World English Bible
“Then the chief cup bearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I remember my faults today. Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, with the chief baker. We dreamed a dream in one night, he and I. Each man dreamed according to the interpretation of his dream. There was with us there a young man, a Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard, and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams. He interpreted to each man according to his dream. As he interpreted to us, so it was. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.””
Genesis 41:9-13 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 105

Psalm 105: He has remembered his covenant forever

Psalm 105 tells Israel's story from Abraham to the land without one sin of Israel's in it: even the quail come because "They asked" (105:40). And God remembers at both ends: "He has remembered his covenant forever" (105:8), and "For he remembered his holy word, and Abraham, his servant" (105:42).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekPsalm 105 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Psalm 105

All questions about Psalms →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions