Psalms 107:16

16 For He has broken down the bronze gates and cut through the iron bars.[a]

Psalms 107:16 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 107:16

For he hath broken the gates of brass
The prison doors made of brass, as sometimes of iron, for the security of the prisoners; see ( Acts 12:10 ) . And cut the bars of iron in sunder; with which they were barred and secured. Hyperbolical phrases these, as Kimchi, expressing how exceeding strong the prison doors were, and the impossibility of an escape out of them, unless the Lord had delivered them; but when he works, none can let; all obstructions are easily removed by him; which is the sense of the words, see ( Isaiah 45:2 ) . Vitringa, on ( Revelation 12:2 ) , interprets this of the subjection of the Roman emperors to the faith and obedience of Christ.

Psalms 107:16 In-Context

14 He brought them out of darkness and gloom and broke their chains apart.
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love and His wonderful works for the human race.
16 For He has broken down the bronze gates and cut through the iron bars.
17 Fools suffered affliction because of their rebellious ways and their sins.
18 They loathed all food and came near the gates of death.

Footnotes 1

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