God upholds His people and fulfills His promises even when circumstances appear insignificant or uncertain.
“When they were only a few in number, Very few, and strangers in it.” (v.12) appears in the midst of a psalm that praises the Lord’s faithful care for His people. Here, the psalmist reflects on the early stages of Israel’s story, when the patriarchs—such as Abraham (circa 2166-1991 BC)—departed from their homelands and traveled through regions like Canaan in obedience to God’s call (Genesis 12:1-4). This handful of faithful wanderers was not large or powerful by any human measure, but they were exactly where the Lord intended them to be, exemplifying that His purposes rest not on numerical strength, but on devotion and trust.
By describing that they were “very few” and “strangers,” the passage reminds readers of how God chooses and protects His own, no matter how few or vulnerable they appear. Although the patriarchs owned little land, depended on the hospitality of various peoples, and faced numerous dangers, they experienced supernatural guidance and blessing. Their nomadic existence foreshadowed God’s ongoing plan to grow them into a multitude and to give them a homeland, fulfilling promises that pointed ultimately to the Redeemer who would come from their lineage (Luke 1:72-73).
The psalmist’s retrospective view of Israel’s small beginnings evokes gratitude for God’s unwavering presence. Through every generation He proved that He can use anyone, whether few or many, to accomplish His plan. God’s covenant commitment to those who trust Him would continue—and ultimately be revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who made a way for all nations to be blessed through Abraham’s line (Galatians 3:8).
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Psalms 105:12 meaning
“When they were only a few in number, Very few, and strangers in it.” (v.12) appears in the midst of a psalm that praises the Lord’s faithful care for His people. Here, the psalmist reflects on the early stages of Israel’s story, when the patriarchs—such as Abraham (circa 2166-1991 BC)—departed from their homelands and traveled through regions like Canaan in obedience to God’s call (Genesis 12:1-4). This handful of faithful wanderers was not large or powerful by any human measure, but they were exactly where the Lord intended them to be, exemplifying that His purposes rest not on numerical strength, but on devotion and trust.
By describing that they were “very few” and “strangers,” the passage reminds readers of how God chooses and protects His own, no matter how few or vulnerable they appear. Although the patriarchs owned little land, depended on the hospitality of various peoples, and faced numerous dangers, they experienced supernatural guidance and blessing. Their nomadic existence foreshadowed God’s ongoing plan to grow them into a multitude and to give them a homeland, fulfilling promises that pointed ultimately to the Redeemer who would come from their lineage (Luke 1:72-73).
The psalmist’s retrospective view of Israel’s small beginnings evokes gratitude for God’s unwavering presence. Through every generation He proved that He can use anyone, whether few or many, to accomplish His plan. God’s covenant commitment to those who trust Him would continue—and ultimately be revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who made a way for all nations to be blessed through Abraham’s line (Galatians 3:8).