Ps 105:1-11 is a call to remember. Remembering, in Biblical language, (like hearing), is not just something that happens in the head. True remembering implies that you do something about what has come to your memory or your ear. We need to listen attentively to God and then to obey what He tells us to do. (James 1:22) Ps 105:5 urges us to ‘remember the wonders God has done, his miracles and the judgments he pronounced’, and part of our remembering has to reflect the fact that God remembers His covenant forever (Ps 105:8). We remember ultimately because God remembers.
God’s faithfulness is traced throughout Psalm 105. We read of the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Ps 105:9-11, referring back to Genesis 12-35), those nomadic years of wandering, and then the arrival of Joseph and the move to Egypt. (Ps 105:16-25, referring back to Genesis 37-50) We read of Moses and the plagues (Ps 105:26-38, referring back to Exodus 1-11), and something of God’s provision in the wilderness years (Ps 105:39-41, referring back to Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy and giving us a ‘telescopic view’ highlighting God’s presence and provision.) This history is directly related to God’s remembering: ‘For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham. He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy; he gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for—that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws.’ (Ps 105:42-45) Here, the connection between remembering and obedience is explicit. As we remember God’s faithfulness and provision, we are moved to keep His precepts and observe His laws. Remembering stirs to action and should be something which keeps us faithful to the Faithful One.