I born in England before my family migrated to Australia. I lived in Pakistan for 11 years. My wife is American and three of our children live overseas. Where do we belong? I’m a loyal Australian, but I don’t feel a deep emotional attachment to the land. I could live anywhere and make it my home. Yet, for many people, having their own land is very important. When God made a covenant with Abraham and promised to bless him, an important part of the promise was the gift of a land for him and his descendants.

Psalm 105 is another song of praise. The psalmist remembers the promises God made to Israel, especially the gift of a land. In this song, he remembers how God kept that promise by protecting His people and providing for them. The psalm covers Israel’s early history in three periods. First, the days of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph (Psalm 105:5–22). Then, Israel in Egypt and her deliverance (vv. 23–38). Finally, Israel in the wilderness (vv. 39–41).

Three things stand out in this marvellous psalm. First, God showed all His power for the sake of His people. While they travelled, God “allowed no one to oppress them” (v. 14). God sent famines and plagues for the ultimate purpose of keeping His promises to bless Israel. Nothing has changed today for us, His people under the new covenant. We can be confident that God will not allow anyone to “touch [His] anointed ones” (v. 15) without His permission.

Second, God ordained all things for the salvation of His people. While God made Israel fruitful in Egypt, He also turned the hearts of the Egyptians “to hate his people” (v. 25). We can’t always understand God’s plans, but we know—and this psalm testifies—that God works all things for good (Romans 8:28), ultimately the salvation of His people. So Psalm 105 goes on to describe how God saved His people through signs and wonders (vv. 26–38). Through it all, God “remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham” (v. 42), and when God remembers, He acts. This psalm celebrates all God’s deeds of remembrance.

Third, the psalm concludes by reminding us what a covenant is—an exchange of promises by two parties. In the covenant God made with His people, He promised to bless them. Their obligation was to “observe his laws” (v. 45).

The story of God’s faithfulness to His promises continues with you and me. God promised that all nations would be blessed through one of Abraham’s descendants, and that son was Jesus. We are heirs of all the promises to Abraham, our spiritual father (see Galatians 3:7–9). Wherever you live, that land is not your real or final home. God has planned something better for us (Hebrews 11:40). Our promised land is the new creation, and He’ll bring us safely there. Hallelujah!