Psalms 107:16-21

16 For He has 1shattered gates of bronze And cut bars of iron asunder.
17 Fools, because of their rebellious way, And 2because of their iniquities, were afflicted.
18 Their 3soul abhorred all kinds of food, And they 4drew near to the 5gates of death.
19 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses.
20 He 6sent His word and 7healed them, And 8delivered them from their destructions.
21 9Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men!

Psalms 107:16-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 107

This psalm, from its style, and from its connection with the preceding psalms, seems to have been written by David. The two foregoing psalms respect the children of Israel; this is generally thought to concern all mankind, and its view to assert a general providence which attends all, in whatsoever condition and circumstance; and to encourage men in their distresses to cry unto the Lord. According to Kimchi, Aben Ezra, and others, four sorts of persons are mentioned, travellers through a wilderness, prisoners, sick persons, and such who use the seas; to which some add a fifth, husbandmen; these are instanced in, not to the exclusion of others, but from them it may be concluded that whatsoever state or condition persons may be in, they are known and taken notice of by the Lord, and are relieved by him when they call upon him. Some restrain the whole to the Israelites, as the Targum, R. Obadiah, Arama, and others, where they make any application; and others apply the psalm to New Testament times; and indeed, though the literal sense should be attended unto and preserved, yet it seems to be applicable to spiritual persons and things. The title of it in the Syriac version is pretty remarkable,

``it is said concerning Joab and Abiah the sons of Samuel, who recited the commandments of the Lord. God gathered the Jews out of captivity, and brought them out from Babylon. Also the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, gathered the Gentiles from the four corners of the world, by preaching to baptism.''

Cross References 9

  • 1. Isaiah 45:1, 2
  • 2. Isaiah 65:6, 7; Jeremiah 30:14, 15; Lamentations 3:39; Ezekiel 24:23
  • 3. Job 33:20; Psalms 102:4
  • 4. Job 33:22; Psalms 88:3
  • 5. Job 38:17; Psalms 9:13
  • 6. Psalms 147:15, 18; Matthew 8:8
  • 7. 2 Kings 20:5; Psalms 30:2; Psalms 103:3; Psalms 147:3
  • 8. Job 33:28, 30; Psalms 30:3; Psalms 49:15; Psalms 56:13; Psalms 103:4
  • 9. Ps 107:8, 15, 31

Footnotes 3

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