Psalms 105:15

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 105:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “[Saying], Touch not mine anointed ones, And do my prophets no harm.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

[Saying], Touch not mine anointed ones, And do my prophets no harm.
Psalms 105:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 105

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15[Saying], Touch not mine anointed ones, And do my prophets no harm.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Saying, Touch not mine anointed, etc.] Or, “mine anointed ones”; my Christs, as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were, who, though not anointed with material oil, yet were all that, that such were, who in later times were anointed with it. They were prophets, priests, and kings; and which all met in one person, particularly in Abraham, (<012007>Genesis 20:7 22:13 23:6), besides, they were anointed with the oil of grace, with an unction from the Holy One, with the Holy Ghost, and his gifts and graces, as all true believers are: they are the Lord’s Christs, or his anointed ones; which stand before him, and have the name of Christians from hence. These the Lord will not have touched, so as to be…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Saying, Touch not mine anointed - That is, This was the language of his “providence.” It was as though God had said this. It is not meant that this was said in so many words, but this is the “poetic” form of representing the dealings of Providence. Compare Genesis 26:11. The word “anointed” here means that God had, as it were, set them apart to his service, or that they were to him as kings, and priests, and prophets, sacred people, belonging to God. The “language” is not found in the Old Testament as applied to the patriarchs, but the “idea” is fairly implied there, that they belonged to God as sacred and holy men. And do my prophets no harm - As if God had thus spoken to them, and called…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Anointed - My prophets, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; who are called God's anointed, because they were consecrated to be his peculiar people, and to be kings and princes in their families. And they are called prophets, because God familiarly conversed with them and revealed his will to them, and by them to others. Psalms 105:16”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“105:15 Abraham was one of the nation’s prophets (Gen 20:7).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Touch: Gen 26:11; Zac 2:8 mine: Kg1 19:16; Jo1 2:27 and do: Gen 20:7, Gen 27:39, Gen 27:40, Gen 48:19, Gen 48:20, 49:8-33 Psalms 105:16”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification