Psalms 107:4-14

4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way. They found no city to live in.

5 Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them.

6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, And he delivered them out of their distresses,

7 He led them also by a straight way, That they might go to a city to live in.

8 Let them praise the LORD for his lovingkindness, For his wonderful works to the children of men!

9 For he satisfies the longing soul. He fills the hungry soul with good.

10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Being bound in affliction and iron,

11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, And condemned the counsel of Ha`Elyon.

12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labor. They fell down, and there was none to help.

13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, And he saved them out of their distresses.

14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their bonds in sunder.

Psalms 107:4-14 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.''