Psalms 105:5 Meaning: Remember His Wonders and Judgments
Remember his marvelous works that he has done: his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
Remember His wonders that He did, His signs and the judgments of His mouth.
Remember his wondrous works which he hath done, his miracles and the judgments of his mouth:
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 105:5 calls us to remember God's wonders and the judgments of His mouth, His spoken power to save and to judge.
Context
Psalm 105 opens with a burst of praise. The psalmist calls God’s people to give thanks, sing, and tell of all His marvelous works. Then in verse 5, he narrows the focus: remember. This is no casual suggestion. The whole psalm goes on to rehearse God’s covenant with Abraham, the rescue from Egypt, and the journey to the promised land. Verse 5 sits as a hinge, before the history lesson comes the command to keep it alive in memory. The people of Israel had a habit of forgetting. This verse is a gentle but firm plea to hold fast to what God has done.
Key Words
The Hebrew word behind remember is zakhar. It doesn’t just mean to recall a fact. It means to bring something to mind so fully that it shapes what you do next. When God remembers His covenant, He acts on it. When we remember His works, we worship.
The word for wonders is nifla’ot, from a root that means to be extraordinary or beyond human power. These are not ordinary deeds. They are acts that leave you speechless, that make you say, “Only God could do that.” The psalm piles up language: wonders, signs, judgments, each word pushes us deeper into awe.
Then the phrase judgments of his mouth. The word mishpat often means a legal decision or sentence. Here it suggests God’s spoken verdicts, especially the plagues He pronounced against Egypt. His word carries weight. When He speaks, things happen.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians read this phrase in different ways. Some, like Matthew Henry and Adam Clarke, take the judgments of his mouth broadly, God’s commands, promises, and threatenings. They see it as all that God has spoken for our good.
Others, including the Cambridge Bible and Keil & Delitzsch, point to the context. The psalm is about the Exodus. The “judgments” are the sentences God pronounced on Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Those spoken words brought plagues and deliverance.
Both readings honor Scripture. One emphasizes God’s guidance through His law; the other highlights His power to save by His word. Together they remind us that God’s speech is never empty, it either instructs or intervenes, and often both.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is to think the judgments of his mouth refers only to God’s statutes or commandments, like the Ten Commandments. In fact, most commentators see it as the spoken judgments God brought against Egypt, the plagues He declared and then executed. The words are not just rules to keep; they are verdicts that set His people free. That makes remembering them a way of celebrating rescue, not just reviewing rules.
Living This Out
This week, pick one specific thing God has done for you, a moment of help, a prayer answered, a situation turned around. Write it down. Tell someone about it. That is what the psalm means by remembering. It is not a mental exercise. It is a deliberate act of passing the story on. When you remember, you build a wall against despair. You remind yourself that the same God who spoke against Pharaoh can speak into your tangled situation. Try it today: one memory, spoken out loud.
Main takeaway: God’s mighty works and spoken judgments are worth remembering, for they show His faithfulness and power to save.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Can you remember a time when God helped you? Maybe He kept you safe or gave you something good. Psalm 105:5 says to remember the amazing things God has done.
For ages 9, 12
Psalm 105:5 is like a command to not forget. God did incredible things for Israel, plagues, rescue, a path through the sea. He also does great things in your life. Try this: write down three good things God has done for your family this year. Put the list where you can see it. Remembering keeps your faith strong when hard times come.
Questions People Ask
What does 'judgments of his mouth' mean in Psalm 105:5?
It refers to God's spoken verdicts, especially the plagues He pronounced against Egypt. The word 'judgments' (mishpat) often means a legal sentence. Here it highlights that God's word has power to execute justice and deliver His people.
Who wrote Psalm 105?
The psalm does not name its author. It matches a song David wrote when the ark was brought to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16), but it may have been expanded later. Many scholars think it was written for worship after the exile, as a reminder of God's covenant faithfulness.
What are the 'marvelous works' in Psalm 105:5?
They include everything God did for Israel: the covenant with Abraham, the plagues in Egypt, the rescue through the Red Sea, the provision in the wilderness, and the gift of the promised land. The psalm goes on to list these deeds as proof of God's faithfulness.
How is Psalm 105:5 similar to other Bible verses?
It echoes Deuteronomy 7:18 and 8:2, where Moses tells Israel to remember God's works. It also connects to Psalm 77:11 ('I will remember your wonders of old') and Psalm 103:2 ('don't forget all his benefits'). All these verses treat remembering as an act of worship.
Is 'remember' in Psalm 105:5 just about thinking or also about doing?
The Hebrew word 'zakhar' is active. It means to bring something to mind in a way that changes how you live. In the Bible, remembering often leads to thanksgiving, obedience, or telling others. It is never passive reflection.
For pastors & researchers
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