Chapter CV · Location 105 of 150
Chapter 105 · Open to readFrom Psalms · Douay–Rheims / Challoner (1749–1752)
What does Psalms Chapter 105 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?
Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary
Confession recounts both remembered rescue and repeated transgression. Earth covering Abiron differs from the next fire statement, and Phinees’ exact action is not supplied. Moses’ hesitation explanation remains separate and gathering is still requested.
Chapter breakdown
Confitemini Domino is the incipit and Alleluia follows a heading confessing Israelite sins and ingratitudes. The speakers praise enduring mercy, ask who declares powers and all praises, bless constant judgment and justice, and ask remembrance and salvation so they may see chosen people's good and share national joy. They confess sin with fathers, injustice and iniquity, without naming a dated exile assembly.
Fathers failed to understand Egypt's wonders or remember mercies and provoked at Red Sea. God saved for His name and power, rebuked and dried sea, guided depths like wilderness and redeemed from haters. Waters covered afflicters with none left; people believed and sang, then quickly forgot and did not wait counsel. They coveted in desert and tempted in waterless place; God granted request and sent fullness into souls, a detail not reversed to leanness or omitted. They provoked Moses and Aaron; earth swallowed Dathan and covered Abiron's congregation, then fire burned wicked in congregation. Abiron's covering by earth is not changed to burning his faction.
They made and adored a Horeb calf, exchanged glory for grass-eating likeness and forgot Egypt, Cham and Red Sea salvation. Destruction was declared but chosen Moses stood in breach turning wrath. They despised desirable land, disbelieved, murmured in tents and ignored voice; lifted hand threatened overthrow in desert and scattering seed among countries. They were initiated to Beelphegor and ate sacrifices of dead, separately explained as Moabite/Madianite idol consecration and lifeless idols. Inventions multiplied destruction; Phinees stood, pacified and slaughter ceased, reputed justice forever. The text does not describe his weapon or executed judgment here.
Contradiction waters afflicted Moses as they exasperated spirit and he distinguished with lips. The note explains hesitation rather than speaking to rock, quoting his question and Numbers 20:10. They failed to destroy named nations, mingled, learned works and served idols, sacrificed sons and daughters to devils and Chanaan's idols, polluting land with innocent blood and inventions. God abhorred inheritance and delivered people to nations' dominion, affliction and humiliation. Repeated rescues met renewed provocation and lowliness. He saw tribulation, heard prayer, remembered covenant, repented according to mercies and gave mercy before captors. They ask saving and gathering for thanks and glory, closing everlasting blessing and So be it twice. Historical mercy is not a blanket promise that every present suffering is caused by infidelity.
The story inside
Opening: Confession recounts both remembered rescue and repeated transgression. Development: Earth covering Abiron differs from the next fire statement, and Phinees’ exact action is not supplied. Conclusion: Moses’ hesitation explanation remains separate and gathering is still requested.
Lessons worth keeping
- 1Confession recounts both remembered rescue and repeated transgression.
- 2Earth covering Abiron differs from the next fire statement, and Phinees’ exact action is not supplied.
- 3Moses’ hesitation explanation remains separate and gathering is still requested.
Test your recall
Which images and requests does the speaker use, and what does the chapter leave unresolved?
Source edition and notes
Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.
Lines 64491–64492
105:6. We have sinned with our fathers: we have acted unjustly, we have wrought iniquity.
Lines 64542–64544
105:23. And he said that he would destroy them: had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach: To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
Lines 64568–64572
105:30. Then Phinees stood up, and pacified him: and the slaughter ceased. 105:31. And it was reputed to him unto justice, to generation and generation for evermore.
Lines 64619–64620
105:45. And he was mindful of his covenant: and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
