Psalm 105:21

Modern

He made him master of his household, ruler over all his substance,

Traditional

He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:

Literal

He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance,

Latin

Constituit eum dominum domus suæ, et principem omnis possessionis suæ:

Hebrew

English

He made him master of his household, ruler over all his substance,

These verses tell the story of Joseph (see Genesis 37–41).

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

Genesis 41:40–44
You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”
Genesis 45:26
“Joseph is still alive,” they said, “and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” But Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them.
Genesis 41:55
When extreme hunger came to all the land of Egypt and the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.”
Genesis 45:8
Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.