Psalms 107:10-16

10 Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.

Psalms 107:10-16 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 14

  • 1. ver 14; Psalms 88:6; Psalms 143:3; Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 42:7,16; Isaiah 49:9; Micah 7:9; Luke 1:79
  • 2. Psalms 102:20; Isaiah 61:1
  • 3. S Job 36:8
  • 4. S Psalms 5:10; Psalms 106:7; Lamentations 3:42
  • 5. S Numbers 14:11
  • 6. S 1 Kings 22:5; 2 Chronicles 36:16
  • 7. S 2 Kings 14:26; Psalms 72:12; Psalms 22:11
  • 8. S Psalms 106:8
  • 9. S ver 10; Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 42:7; Isaiah 50:10; Isaiah 59:9; Isaiah 60:2; S Luke 1:79
  • 10. Psalms 86:13; Isaiah 29:18
  • 11. S Job 36:8; Psalms 116:16; Luke 13:16; Acts 12:7
  • 12. ver 8,21,31; Psalms 105:1
  • 13. Psalms 6:4
  • 14. S Psalms 75:1
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.