Psalms 105:15

Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

Psalms 105:15 (KJV)

Context

Psalm 105 is a psalm of praise that recounts God’s faithfulness to Israel throughout their history. This verse appears in a historical review of the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—whom God protected as they journeyed in foreign lands. The warning was given to kings and nations concerning His people, as recorded in Genesis, when God rebuked Abimelech and others who might have harmed them.

Meaning

In Psalm 105:15, the phrase “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm” is a statement of divine protection. It emphasizes God’s special care and defense of those whom He has set apart as His representatives. In the Old Testament, anointing with oil symbolized consecration for a specific purpose. Kings, priests, and sometimes prophets were anointed to signify their special appointment and empowerment by God. The anointing indicated their authority and divine favour in carrying out God’s will.

The verse declares that God Himself commands that His anointed ones and prophets should not be harmed. This reflects God’s commitment to safeguarding those whom He has chosen for His work. Anyone who opposes or mistreats His appointed ones is, in a sense, opposing God Himself. The phrase “mine anointed” refers to the patriarchs, who were set apart by God for His purposes, and “my prophets” indicates that they received divine revelation and spoke on God’s behalf.

Biblical connections

This verse is a direct quotation of God’s warning to kings and nations concerning His people, as recorded in Genesis. The psalmist uses this as a testimony of God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises, showing that God guards those whom He has called. The verse also demonstrates that God’s protection extends to all whom He has chosen and commissioned.

Application

Lessons for believers:

• Respect for God’s chosen servants: The verse reminds us to treat God’s anointed ones and prophets with reverence and honour towards those whom God has placed in positions of leadership within His kingdom.

• Trust in God’s protection: The verse reassures believers of God’s watchful care over His servants, encouraging us to trust in His providence and sovereignty, knowing that He is capable of shielding His anointed ones from harm.

• Accountability and responsibility: The verse reminds those who have been called by God to positions of leadership to maintain integrity, obedience, and faithfulness, being accountable to God for their actions.

• Avoiding harm to God’s people: The verse urges believers to be cautious in how they treat God’s chosen servants, warning against actions that may hinder their work. Instead, we are called to support, encourage, and pray for those serving God’s purposes.

Reflection

For the Christian, this verse is an assurance that God watches over His servants today, and that those who belong to Him are under His divine protection. It calls believers to respect and honour those whom God has set apart for ministry, recognizing that they are instruments of His purposes. The verse encourages trust in God’s sovereign care, even in the face of opposition, and reminds believers that God’s plans cannot be thwarted by human hostility.