From Creation to Covenant: A Journey Through God’s Power, Promise, and Patience

Welcome to Day 171 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Psalms. Psalms 104–106 form a powerful trilogy that celebrates the grandeur of God as Creator, the faithfulness of God as Covenant-Keeper, and the mercy of God as Redeemer. Psalm 104 paints a breathtaking portrait of God’s creative power and sovereign rule over nature, emphasizing His ongoing provision and control over all life. Psalm 105 shifts the focus to Israel’s history, highlighting God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through divine guidance and protection. Psalm 106, in contrast, provides a sobering reflection on Israel’s repeated rebellion and forgetfulness, yet it closes with hope rooted in God's mercy and willingness to forgive. Together, these psalms invite readers to praise God for His power, remember His promises, and return to Him with repentance and gratitude.

Psalm 104 is a poetic celebration of God as the majestic and wise Creator who rules over all of creation. The psalmist begins by praising God for being clothed in splendor and light, stretching out the heavens like a tent. It details the ordering of the natural world—how God set the earth’s foundations, gave boundaries to the seas, and causes the springs, vegetation, and animals to flourish. God's provision is emphasized as He provides food and drink for both humans and animals, and sustains life by the breath of His Spirit. The psalm exudes wonder at how all creation depends on God and responds to His presence and provision. It closes with a call to continual praise and a deep sense of awe for God’s everlasting greatness.

Psalm 105 recounts the history of God’s covenant faithfulness to His people from Abraham to the time of Israel’s settlement in the Promised Land. It begins with a call to give thanks and remember the wondrous deeds of the Lord. The psalm outlines God's covenant with Abraham and the miraculous events through which He preserved and delivered His people, including Joseph’s rise in Egypt, the plagues of Egypt, and the Exodus. God’s sovereign hand is shown guiding the Israelites with fire and cloud, and providing food and water in the wilderness. The psalm highlights how God kept His promises and protected His people so that they could live out His statutes. It ends with praise, inviting reflection on God’s enduring loyalty and miraculous interventions in history.

Psalm 106 is a confession and reflection on the repeated failures of Israel to remain faithful to God, contrasted with His relentless mercy and forgiveness. It opens with a declaration of God’s goodness and a blessing for those who uphold justice. The psalm recalls Israel’s disobedience at various points in history, including their rebellion at the Red Sea, the worship of the golden calf, and their mingling with pagan nations. Despite these sins, God repeatedly delivered them when they cried out, showing His compassion and willingness to forgive. The psalmist also personally identifies with the people’s sins and pleads for God's continued salvation and restoration. It ends with a call for praise and thanksgiving to the eternal God, who saves not because of human faithfulness, but because of His steadfast love.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name "Psalms" comes from the Greek word Psalmoi, which means "songs" or "melodies." This term was used in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. In Hebrew, the book is called "Tehillim", meaning “Praises.” Though many of the Psalms are laments or cries for help, the overarching theme is one of worship, adoration, and praise to God. The name reflects the book’s purpose as a collection of poetic songs meant to be sung or recited as expressions of worship and relationship with God.

Purpose of the Book:

The primary purpose of the Book of Psalms is to provide a rich devotional and liturgical guide for God’s people. It gives voice to the full range of human emotion—joy, sorrow, gratitude, confusion, repentance, and hope—and models how to bring those emotions to God in prayer and praise. Psalms teaches believers how to worship, how to lament, and how to trust in God in every season of life. It also contains prophetic elements pointing to the coming Messiah and affirms God's faithfulness, justice, and covenant with His people.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The Book of Psalms is a collection of 150 individual psalms written by multiple authors over many centuries. The most well-known contributor is King David, to whom 73 psalms are directly attributed (e.g., Psalm 3, 23, 51). David is referred to as “the sweet psalmist of Israel” in 2 Samuel 23:1, confirming his significant role. Other contributors include:

• Asaph (Psalms 50, 73–83) – a Levitical choir leader (see 1 Chronicles 6:39 and 2 Chronicles 29:30).

• The Sons of Korah (Psalms 42–49, 84–85, 87–88) – descendants of a Levitical family assigned to temple worship (1 Chronicles 9:19, 2 Chronicles 20:19).

• Solomon (Psalms 72 and 127) – David’s son and successor.

• Moses (Psalm 90) – one of the oldest psalms; supports Mosaic authorship (see Deuteronomy 31:22, where Moses is said to write songs).

• Heman the Ezrahite (Psalm 88) and Ethan the Ezrahite (Psalm 89) – associated with wisdom and temple service (1 Kings 4:31, 1 Chronicles 15:17–19).

Some Psalms are anonymous, yet they align with themes and styles used by these known authors. Historical Jewish tradition and early church writings, such as those by Origen and Jerome, also affirm the Davidic authorship of many psalms.

Key People:

1. God (Yahweh) – the central figure, described as Creator, Deliverer, Shepherd, King, and Judge.

2. David – both author and subject in many psalms, especially as a representative of the Messianic king.

3. The Messiah – referenced prophetically (e.g., Psalm 2, 22, 110) and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, as confirmed in the New Testament (Acts 2:25–36, Hebrews 1:5).

4. Enemies of Israel – including surrounding nations and personal adversaries, used to contrast God’s protection and judgment.

5. The righteous and the wicked – recurring symbolic characters representing those who follow God’s law versus those who rebel.

Conclusion

The Book of Psalms is a spiritual treasure chest that has shaped worship, theology, and prayer for thousands of years. With its vivid language, raw emotion, and deep faith, it connects head and heart, doctrine and devotion. It offers comfort in suffering, strength in trials, and joy in worship. Whether used in personal reflection, congregational worship, or prophetic meditation, Psalms continues to speak to every believer’s walk with God. Ultimately, it points to the greatness of God and His eternal plan of redemption through the Anointed One—Jesus Christ.

---

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet. 

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

Psalm 104 reveals God as the majestic Creator and Sustainer of the universe. His power is seen in the formation of the heavens, the seas, the mountains, and the cycles of life that sustain both humans and animals. God is full of wisdom, intentional in design, and generous in provision. He governs all things with care and order, commanding nature and providing what is needed in its season. We see that God is both transcendent in glory and immanent in His involvement with creation.

In Psalm 104, while specific Hebrew names such as El Shaddai (God Almighty) or Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord Will Provide) are not explicitly used, God is referred to by His covenant name YHWH (translated as “LORD”) throughout, emphasizing His relational presence. The lesson in this psalm is to recognize God’s hand in the natural world and to respond in continual praise. We are reminded that all creation depends on Him and that acknowledging His rule leads us to worship. It teaches us to live with awe, reverence, and trust in His provision and sovereignty.

In Psalm 105, God is shown as faithful, trustworthy, and sovereign over history. He is a promise-keeper who never forgets His covenant with His people. From the calling of Abraham to the deliverance from Egypt, God’s character shines as one who guides, protects, and fulfills His word perfectly across generations. He orchestrates even difficult circumstances to bring about His divine purpose and bless His chosen people.

Psalm 105 references YHWH (LORD) consistently, emphasizing God's covenantal nature. His character as a faithful covenant-keeper reflects the essence of El Olam—the Everlasting God—and El Emunah—the Faithful God. The lesson here is to remember God’s works and trust in His faithfulness. God calls His people to be grateful, to declare His deeds, and to live in remembrance of His past faithfulness, knowing He will remain faithful in the present and future.

Psalm 106 highlights God's mercy, patience, and forgiveness in the face of repeated human failure. Though the people of Israel continually sinned, forgot His works, and rebelled, God responded with compassion when they cried out. He is a God who hears, relents from judgment, and extends grace. His love is steadfast, not dependent on human faithfulness, but on His unchanging nature.

Although no distinct Hebrew names such as El Elyon or Jehovah-Rapha are used in this psalm, the use of LORD (YHWH) reinforces God’s role as the covenant God who does not forsake His people. The key lesson is that even in our rebellion and inconsistency, God remains merciful. This psalm teaches us to be honest about our failures, to repent sincerely, and to trust in God's willingness to restore and save. It calls believers to humility, gratitude, and continual reliance on His grace.

---

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

---

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

1. How does Psalm 104 reveal God’s role as both Creator and Sustainer of all life?

2. In what ways is God’s faithfulness to His covenant demonstrated in Psalm 105?

3. What do these psalms teach us about God’s patience and mercy toward a rebellious people?

4. How does God’s wisdom in creation (Psalm 104) help you better understand His nature?

5. According to Psalm 106, how does God respond when His people cry out after sinning repeatedly?

6. What aspects of God’s character remain consistent across all three psalms?

7. How do these psalms show that God is both transcendent (above all creation) and immanent (involved in our lives)?

Questions About Themes:

1. What is the overarching theme of creation in Psalm 104, and why is it important?

2. How does the theme of remembrance shape the message of Psalm 105?

3. How is the cycle of rebellion, repentance, and restoration portrayed in Psalm 106?

4. What does Psalm 105 teach us about God’s sovereignty over history and human events?

5. How is praise a central theme in all three psalms, despite their different focuses?

6. What role does covenant play throughout these psalms, and why is it significant?

7. How do these psalms help the reader understand the connection between God's actions and His identity?

Reflective Application Questions:

1. How can you personally cultivate more awe and gratitude for God’s creation in your daily life?

2. In what ways can you better remember and reflect on God’s faithfulness in your own story?

3. Have you ever experienced a season of rebellion? How did God’s mercy meet you there?

4. What specific actions can you take to regularly praise God for His character and works?

5. How do these psalms challenge your view of God’s involvement in world events today?

6. What steps can you take to keep your heart soft and responsive to God, as modeled in these chapters?

7. How might recalling God’s past faithfulness help you trust Him more in uncertain circumstances?

   
   

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans