The Patriarchs–God’s Gracious Election (vv. 1-15). The joyful praise recorded in verses 1-5 is the worshippers’ response to the wonderful truths stated in the psalm. The name “Jehovah–Lord” is used five times (vv. 1, 3, 4, 7, 19) and is the covenant name of God, the “holy name” that Israel was to call on (v. 1) and glory in (v. 3) as they worshipped. Israel was a chosen people; Jehovah had made no covenant with any other nation (147:20; Rom. 9:1-5). There are ten commandments in verses 1-5 (“seek” is found twice), climaxing with “remember” (v. 5). Their thanksgiving, praying, and singing were a witness to the nations around them and a testimony to the power and glory of the Lord. An obedient Israel was to be God’s “exhibit A” to the nations so that they would want to know the true and living God of the Jewish people.

In His sovereign grace, the Lord chose Abraham (vv. 6, 9, 42) and made His covenant with him (Gen. 12:1-5; 15:9-21; Acts 7:1-8), a covenant that would apply to all of Abraham’s physical descendants as well as to believers today as Abraham’s spiritual children (Luke 1:68-79; Gal. 3:1-9, 29). One of the covenant promises was the gift of the land of Canaan to the people of Israel (vv. 11, 42-44), and this promise was repeated to Abraham’s son Isaac (Gen. 26:1-6) and to his grandson Jacob (Gen. 28:13-17). We see here the electing grace of God, for He chose Isaac, not Ishmael, and Jacob, not Esau (Rom. 9:6-18). This covenant will endure forever (vv. 8-11; Deut. 7:9). Again, this was an act of grace on the part of the Lord, for none of the patriarchs had any claim upon God nor did He owe them anything. They were homeless nomads–pilgrims and strangers (Heb. 11:8-16)–who depended on the Lord to protect and guide them (Gen. 34:30; Deut. 7:6-11; 26:5). Even when they erred, the Lord protected them and even reproved kings on their behalf (Gen. 12:10ff.; 20; 26; 32-33). God is sovereign, and though He does not turn men and women into robots, He does rule and overrule when they disobey. His will shall be done, and His plans shall be fulfilled (vv. 8-11; 33:11).