Psalms 107ESV
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Psalms107

English Standard Version

1Oh to the Lord, for he is , for his endures !

2Let the of the Lord so, whom he has from

3and in from the , from the and from the , from the and from the .

4Some in , no to a to in;

5 and , their within them.

6Then they to the Lord in their , and he them from their .

7He by a till they a to .

8Let them the Lord for his , for his to the of !

9For he the , and the he with .

10Some in and in the , in and in ,

11for they had against the of , and the of the .

12So he bowed their with ; they , with none to .

13Then they to the Lord in their , and he them from their .

14He brought them of and the , and their .

15Let them the Lord for his , for his to the of !

16For he the of and cuts in the of .

17Some were their , and because of their ;

18 any kind of , and they drew to the of .

19Then they to the Lord in their , and he them from their .

20He out his and them, and them from their .

21Let them the Lord for his , for his to the of !

22And let them of , and of his in songs of !

23Some to the in , on the ;

24they the of the Lord, his in the .

25For he and the , which the of the sea.

26They to ; they to the ; their away in their evil ;

27they and like men and were at their .

28Then they to the Lord in their , and he delivered them their .

29He the be , and the of the sea were .

30Then they were that the waters were , and he them to their .

31Let them the Lord for his , for his to the of !

32Let them him in the of the , and him in the of the .

33He into a , of into ,

34a into a , because of the of its .

35He a into of , a into of .

36And there he lets the , and they a to ;

37they and and a .

38By his they , and he not let their .

39When they are and through , , and ,

40he on and makes them in ;

41but he the out of and their like .

42The it and are , and all .

43Whoever is , let him these things; let them the of the Lord.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 107.

Full AI study →

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: God's providential care of the children of men in distresses, in banishment, and dispersion. (1–9). In captivity. (10–16). In sickness. (17–22). Danger at sea. (23–32). God's hand is to be seen by his own people. (33–43).

vv1-9

In these verses there is reference to the deliverance from Egypt, and perhaps that from Babylon: but the circumstances of travellers in those countries are also noted. It is scarcely possible to conceive the horrors suffered by the hapless traveller, when crossing the trackless sands, exposed to the burning rays of the sum. The words describe their case whom the Lord has redeemed from the bondage of Satan; who pass through the world as a dangerous and dreary wilderness, often ready to faint through troubles, fears, and temptations. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, after God, and communion with him, shall be filled with the goodness of his house, both in grace and glory.

vv10-16

This description of prisoners and captives intimates that they are desolate and sorrowful. In the eastern prisons the captives were and are treated with much severity. Afflicting providences must be improved as humbling providences; and we lose the benefit, if our hearts are unhumbled and unbroken under them. This is a shadow of the sinner's deliverance from a far worse confinement. The awakened sinner discovers his guilt and misery. Having struggled in vain for deliverance, he finds there is no help for him but in the mercy and grace of God. His sin is forgiven by a merciful God, and his pardon is accompanied by deliverance from the power of sin and Satan, and by the sanctifying and comforting influences of God the Holy Spirit.

vv17-22

If we knew no sin, we should know no sickness. Sinners are fools. They hurt their bodily health by intemperance, and endanger their lives by indulging their appetites. This their way is their folly. The weakness of the body is the effect of sickness. It is by the power and mercy of God that we are recovered from sickness, and it is our duty to be thankful. All Christ's miraculous cures were emblems of his healing diseases of the soul. It is also to be applied to the spiritual cures which the Spirit of grace works. He sends his word, and heals souls; convinces, converts them, makes them holy, and all by the word. Even in common cases of recovery from sickness, God in his providence speaks, and it is done; by his word and Spirit the soul is restored to health and holiness.

Cross References

Psalms 107
v1Psalms 106:1quotation

Identical introductory liturgical call to praise God for His everlasting mercy and goodness.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v2Isaiah 35:9allusion

Isaianic language of the 'redeemed of the Lord' returning along the holy highway.

Supported by JFB

v16Isaiah 45:2allusion

Prophetic parallel of breaking the gates of brass and cutting the bars of iron.

Supported by JFB

v28Matthew 8:26typology

Jesus calming the physical storm mirrors Yahweh's authority over the sea shown here.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v10Luke 1:79allusion

The Zechariah benediction echoes sitting in darkness and the shadow of death.

Supported by JFB

v22Psalms 50:14thematic

Urges sacrificing the sacrifices of thanksgiving, matching the psalm's liturgical instructions.

Supported by JFB

v40Job 12:24quotation

Direct verbal parallel regarding God making leaders wander in a pathless wilderness.

Supported by JFB

v43Hosea 14:9thematic

Concludes with the same wisdom formula: the wise observing and understanding Yahweh's ways.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v9Luke 1:53thematic

Mary's Magnificat echoes God satisfying the longing and filling the hungry with good.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v10Matthew 4:16fulfillment

Saviour's light dawning on those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v18Job 33:19-22thematic

Matches the description of a sick man abhorring food and drawing near to death.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v41Psalms 113:7-9thematic

Sovereign reversal raising the needy from affliction and multiplying families like a flock.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v411 Samuel 2:8thematic

Hannah's song parallel of setting the poor on high and raising the needy.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v42Romans 3:19thematic

Theological fulfillment where all iniquity stops her mouth before the righteous judgment.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v35Psalms 114:8thematic

Miraculous transformation of dry wilderness rock into standing water and water springs.

Supported by Matthew Poole