Psalms 107:28-38

28 In their misery they cried out to the Lord, and he saved them from their troubles.

29 He stilled the storm and calmed the waves.

30 They were happy that it was quiet, and God guided them to the port they wanted.

31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his love and for the miracles he does for people.

32 Let them praise his greatness in the meeting of the people; let them praise him in the meeting of the older leaders.

33 He changed rivers into a desert and springs of water into dry ground.

34 He made fertile land salty, because the people there did evil.

35 He changed the desert into pools of water and dry ground into springs of water.

36 He had the hungry settle there so they could build a city in which to live.

37 They planted seeds in the fields and vineyards, and they had a good harvest.

38 God blessed them, and they grew in number. Their cattle did not become fewer.

Psalms 107:28-38 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.''