Psalms 107:1-11

1 (106-1) Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 (106-2) Let them say so that have been redeemed by the Lord, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy: and gathered out of the countries.

3 (106-3) From the rising and from the setting of the sun, from the north and from the sea.

4 (106-4) They wandered in a wilderness, in a place without water: they found not the way of a city for their habitation.

5 (106-5) They were hungry and thirsty: their soul fainted in them.

6 (106-6) And they cried to the Lord in their tribulation: and he delivered them out of their distresses.

7 (106-7) And he led them into the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

8 (106-8) Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him: and his wonderful works to the children of men.

9 (106-9) For he hath satisfied the empty soul, and hath filled the hungry soul with good things.

10 (106-10) Such as sat in darkness and in the shadow of death: bound in want and in iron.

11 (106-11) Because they had exasperated the words of God: and provoked the counsel of the most High:

Psalms 107:1-11 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.''