Psalm 107:34

34 (106-34) A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

Psalm 107:34 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 107:34

A fruitful land into barrenness
Or, "into saltness" ^F20; as Sodom and the land adjacent became a salt sea; and the land of Canaan was threatened to become brimstone, salt and burning, like Sodom; in which nothing was sown, and which bore no grass; see ( Genesis 14:3 ) ( Deuteronomy 29:3 ) and so the Targum,

``the land of Israel, which brought forth fruit, he hath destroyed, as Sodom was overthrown.''

For the wickedness of them that dwell therein;
this was the cause of the overthrow of Sodom, and of the destruction of that fine country, as also of Canaan afterwards; see ( Genesis 13:13 ) ( Deuteronomy 29:22 Deuteronomy 29:23 ) . The very Heathens had a notion that barrenness and unfruitfulness in countries were owing to the sins of men; hence the sterility and famine at Mycenas were attributed to the wickedness of Atreus ^F21. This may figuratively be understood of the present state and condition of the Jews; who were once a people well watered with the word and ordinances, and had the first preaching of the Gospel among them; but, rejecting and despising it, are now become like a desert, barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of divine things: and it might be illustrated by the case of several Christian churches; the seven churches of Asia, and others, once as well watered gardens, but now are no more; and the places where they stood are destitute of spiritual knowledge, and the means of it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 (hxlml) "in salsuginem", Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, Vatablus, Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Junius & Tremellius; "in salsam", Cocceius.
F21 Hygin. Fab. 88.

Psalm 107:34 In-Context

32 (106-32) And let them exalt him in the church of the people: and praise him in the chair of the ancients.

33 (106-33) He hath turned rivers into a wilderness: and the sources of waters into dry ground:

34 (106-34) A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

35 (106-35) He hath turned a wilderness into pools of waters, and a dry land into water springs.

36 (106-36) And hath placed there the hungry; and they made a city for their habitation.