Psalms 105:25

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 105:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He turned their heart to hate his people, To deal subtly with his servants.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He turned their heart to hate his people, To deal subtly with his servants.
Psalms 105:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 105

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25He turned their heart to hate his people, To deal subtly with his servants.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He turned their heart to hate his people, etc.] Whom before they loved and esteemed: when Pharaoh and his servants heard of Joseph’s father and brethren, they were greatly pleased, and invited them into Egypt; and, when come, placed them in the land of Goshen; but when a new king arose, and a new generation, which knew not Joseph, the hearts of these were turned to hate them. This is said to be of the Lord: not that he put any hatred into them, there was no need of that; there is enough of that naturally in every man’s heart against good men, and all that is good: but he did not restrain that hatred, as he could have done, but suffered them to let it have vent; and moreover, he did those…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He turned their heart to hate his people - God turned their heart. That is, He so ordered things that they became the enemies of his people, and made it necessary that they should be removed into another land. It is not said that God did this by his direct “power;” or that he “compelled” them to hate his people; or that he in any way interfered with their “will;” or that he regarded this “as a good” in itself; or that he “approved” of it: but this is said in accordance with the usual representations in the Bible, where God is spoken of as having all things under his control, and where it is constantly affirmed that nothing takes place without his own proper agency and government in the…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Turned - That is, suffered them, to be turned. Psalms 105:28”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“He turned: Gen 15:13; Exo 9:16, Exo 10:1; Deu 2:30; Rom 9:17-19 to hate: Exo 1:11-14, Exo 1:16, Exo 2:23; Act 7:19 Psalms 105:26”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Narration of the exodus out of Egypt after the plagues that went forth over that land. Psa 105:25 tells how the Egyptians became their "oppressors." It was indirectly God's work, inasmuch as He gave increasing might to His people, which excited their jealousy. The craft reached its highest pitch in the weakening of the Israelites that was aimed at by killing all the male children that were born. דּברי signifies facts, instances, as in Psa 65:4; Psa 145:5. Here, too, as in Ps 78, the miraculous judgments of the ten plagues to not stand in exactly historical order. The poet begins with the ninth, which was the most distinct self-representation of divine wrath, viz., the darkness ( Exo…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification