As we have seen previously, Psalm 105 contains a selective review of Israel’s history, emphasizing God’s utter sovereignty in choosing and preserving this nation as His own people. After telling of Israel’s entrance into Egypt (v 16-22), it now describes their exodus from it (v 23-36). By the constant repetition of the pronoun “He” to refer to God, the psalmist leaves little doubt of his view that the LORD is guiding all human affairs. In this case, circumstances unfolded for Israel according to God’s plan, despite their enemies and their plans. At the invitation of his son Joseph, Jacob migrated with his large family from Canaan to Egypt, finding relief from the widespread famine conditions. After many years, his descendants had multiplied greatly in this foreign land. Eventually the Egyptians began to hate the Israelites, feeling threatened by their increasing numbers. Yet this too was all part of God’s plan. We may find it surprising to read in God’s Word that He actually “turned their hearts to hate His people.” Yet this kind of language is common in Scripture (v 23-25). In the Biblical worldview, all that happens is part of God’s plan—though He does not coerce anyone to sin, and people are always held responsible for their actions. For example, the death of God’s Son fulfilled His eternal plan— yet Judas was accountable for his treachery, and those who killed Jesus were guilty of murder. This teaching may stretch our minds, but it comforts our hearts. If we would think Biblically, we must never compromise either truth: God is absolutely sovereign and people are absolutely responsible. If God were not sovereign, we would be constantly stressed and fearful, imagining that everything depends on us. But if people were not morally responsible for their actions, we would become complacent and cynical, wrongly concluding that our choices do not matter—“for whatever will be, will be.” God delivered the Israelites from their Egyptian bondage by sending Moses and Aaron to perform miraculous signs in the form of ten plagues that fell upon the land. The psalmist begins with the ninth plague of darkness, as this one was decisive for the Egyptian people. Pharaoh was not yet convinced, but his people responded with great generosity toward the Israelites and unqualified respect for Moses: “they did not rebel against his words” (see Exodus 11:3). By contrast, Pharaoh’s heart continued to harden through each of nine successive plagues, only relenting after the tenth, when God “struck down all the firstborn in their land.” Do not be discouraged when people reject your witness. God’s Word will always accomplish its purpose (v 26-36). For further meditation: