Psalm 107

Psalm 107:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

Psalm 107:1 · BSB

am 3468 , bc 536 . Title The author of this Psalm is unknown; but it was evidently written to commemorate the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity; and it may easily be perceived that it must have been sung in alternate parts , having a double burden , or two intercalary #### Verses often recurring. Bp. Lowth considers it as written "after the method of the ancient pastorals , where , be the subject of their #### Verse what it will , each swain endeavours to excel the other; and one may perceive their thoughts and expressions gradually to rise upon each other." "No doubt ," he adds , "the composition of this Psalm is admirable throughout; and the descriptive part of it adds at least its share of beauty to the whole; but what is most to be admired is its conciseness , and withal the expressiveness of the diction , which strikes the imagination with illimitable elegance. The weary and bewildered traveller . the miserable captive in the dungeon . the sick and dying man . the seaman foundering in a storm . are described in so affecting a manner , that they far exceed anything of the kind , though never so much laboured."

Psalm 107:2

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy

Psalm 107:2 · BSB

Psalm 107:3

and gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.

Psalm 107:3 · BSB

south Heb. sea

Psalm 107:4

Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no path to a city in which to dwell.

Psalm 107:4 · BSB

they found This is the first similitude; in which the Israelites in captivity are compared to travellers in a dreary , uninhabited , and barren desert , spent with hunger and thirst , as well as by the fatigues of the journey.

Psalm 107:5

They were hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted within them.

Psalm 107:5 · BSB

Psalm 107:6

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.

Psalm 107:6 · BSB

Psalm 107:7

He led them on a straight path to reach a city where they could live.

Psalm 107:7 · BSB

Psalm 107:8

Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.

Psalm 107:8 · BSB

Psalm 107:9

For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Psalm 107:9 · BSB

Psalm 107:10

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains,

Psalm 107:10 · BSB

Such Here begins the second comparison; in which the state of the captives in Babylon is illustrated by that of prisoners in a dreary dungeon.

Psalm 107:11

because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.

Psalm 107:11 · BSB

Psalm 107:12

He humbled their hearts with hard labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help.

Psalm 107:12 · BSB

Psalm 107:13

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.

Psalm 107:13 · BSB

Psalm 107:14

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke away their chains.

Psalm 107:14 · BSB

Psalm 107:15

Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.

Psalm 107:15 · BSB

Psalm 107:16

For He has broken down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.

Psalm 107:16 · BSB

Psalm 107:17

Fools, in their rebellious ways, and through their iniquities, suffered affliction.

Psalm 107:17 · BSB

Psalm 107:18

They loathed all food and drew near to the gates of death.

Psalm 107:18 · BSB

Psalm 107:19

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.

Psalm 107:19 · BSB

Psalm 107:20

He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit.

Psalm 107:20 · BSB

Psalm 107:21

Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.

Psalm 107:21 · BSB

Psalm 107:22

Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare His works with rejoicing.

Psalm 107:22 · BSB

rejoicing Heb. singing

Psalm 107:23

Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters.

Psalm 107:23 · BSB

They This is the fourth comparison; their captivity was as dangerous and alarming as a dreadful tempest at sea; with a most natural and striking description of which we are here presented.

Psalm 107:24

They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep.

Psalm 107:24 · BSB

Psalm 107:25

For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea.

Psalm 107:25 · BSB

raiseth Heb. maketh to stand

Psalm 107:26

They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish.

Psalm 107:26 · BSB

Psalm 107:27

They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless.

Psalm 107:27 · BSB

Psalm 107:28

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress.

Psalm 107:28 · BSB

Psalm 107:29

He calmed the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed.

Psalm 107:29 · BSB

Psalm 107:30

They rejoiced in the silence, and He guided them to the harbor they desired.

Psalm 107:30 · BSB

Psalm 107:31

Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.

Psalm 107:31 · BSB

Psalm 107:32

Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the people and praise Him in the council of the elders.

Psalm 107:32 · BSB

Psalm 107:33

He turns rivers into deserts, springs of water into thirsty ground,

Psalm 107:33 · BSB

Psalm 107:34

and fruitful land into fields of salt, because of the wickedness of its dwellers.

Psalm 107:34 · BSB

Psalm 107:35

He turns a desert into pools of water and a dry land into flowing springs.

Psalm 107:35 · BSB

Psalm 107:36

He causes the hungry to settle there, that they may establish a city in which to dwell.

Psalm 107:36 · BSB

Psalm 107:37

They sow fields and plant vineyards that yield a fruitful harvest.

Psalm 107:37 · BSB

Psalm 107:38

He blesses them, and they multiply greatly; He does not let their herds diminish.

Psalm 107:38 · BSB

Psalm 107:39

When they are decreased and humbled by oppression, evil, and sorrow,

Psalm 107:39 · BSB

Again The incidents detailed in these #### Verses , which frequently occur , and mark the superintendence of a benign Providence , and the hand of a just God , appear to be brought forward to illustrate the return of the Israelites from captivity , and the punishment of their oppressors the Babylonians. Wherefore , at last , as in a common chorus , they conclude with exhorting each other to a serious consideration of these things , and to make a proper return to the Almighty.

Psalm 107:40

He pours out contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

Psalm 107:40 · BSB

wilderness or , void place

Psalm 107:41

But He lifts the needy from affliction and increases their families like flocks.

Psalm 107:41 · BSB

from or , after

Psalm 107:42

The upright see and rejoice, and all iniquity shuts its mouth.

Psalm 107:42 · BSB

Psalm 107:43

Let him who is wise pay heed to these things and consider the loving devotion of the LORD.

Psalm 107:43 · BSB