Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Psalms » Chapter 107 » Verse 23-32

Psalms 107:23-32 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

23 They that go down H3381 to the sea H3220 in ships, H591 that do H6213 business H4399 in great H7227 waters; H4325

24 These see H7200 the works H4639 of the LORD, H3068 and his wonders H6381 in the deep. H4688

25 For he commandeth, H559 and raiseth H5975 the stormy H5591 wind, H7307 which lifteth up H7311 the waves H1530 thereof.

26 They mount up H5927 to the heaven, H8064 they go down H3381 again to the depths: H8415 their soul H5315 is melted H4127 because of trouble. H7451

27 They reel to and fro, H2287 and stagger H5128 like a drunken man, H7910 and are at their wits' H2451 end. H1104

28 Then they cry H6817 unto the LORD H3068 in their trouble, H6862 and he bringeth them out H3318 of their distresses. H4691

29 He maketh H6965 the storm H5591 a calm, H1827 so that the waves H1530 thereof are still. H2814

30 Then are they glad H8055 because they be quiet; H8367 so he bringeth H5148 them unto their desired H2656 haven. H4231

31 Oh that men would praise H3034 the LORD H3068 for his goodness, H2617 and for his wonderful works H6381 to the children H1121 of men! H120

32 Let them exalt H7311 him also in the congregation H6951 of the people, H5971 and praise H1984 him in the assembly H4186 of the elders. H2205

Commentary on Psalms 107 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


PSALM 107

Ps 107:1-43. Although the general theme of this Psalm may have been suggested by God's special favor to the Israelites in their restoration from captivity, it must be regarded as an instructive celebration of God's praise for His merciful providence to all men in their various emergencies. Of these several are given—captivity and bondage, wanderings by land and sea, and famine; some as evidences of God's displeasure, and all the deliverances as evidence of His goodness and mercy to them who humbly seek Him.

1, 2. This call for thankful praise is the burden or chorus (compare Ps 107:8, 15, &c.).

2. redeemed of the Lord—(compare Isa 35:9, 10).

say—that is, that His mercy, &c.

hand of—or, "power of enemy."

3. gathered—alluding to the dispersion of captives throughout the Babylonian empire.

from the south—literally, "the sea," or, Red Sea (Ps 114:3), which was on the south.

4-7. A graphic picture is given of the sufferings of those who from distant lands returned to Jerusalem; or,

city of habitation—may mean the land of Palestine.

5. fainted—was overwhelmed (Ps 61:3; 77:3).

8, 9. To the chorus is added, as a reason for praise, an example of the extreme distress from which they had been delivered—extreme hunger, the severest privation of a journey in the desert.

10-16. Their sufferings were for their rebellion against (Ps 105:28) the words, or purposes, or promises, of God for their benefit. When humbled they cry to God, who delivers them from bondage, described as a dark dungeon with doors and bars of metal, in which they are bound in iron—that is, chains and fetters.

shadow of death—darkness with danger (Ps 23:4).

16. broken—literally, "shivered" (Isa 45:2).

17-22. Whether the same or not, this exigency illustrates that dispensation of God according to which sin brings its own punishment.

are afflicted—literally, "afflict themselves," that is, bring on disease, denoted by loathing of food, and drawing

18. near unto—literally, "even to"

gates—or, "domains" (Ps 9:13).

20. sent his word—that is, put forth His power.

their destructions—that is, that which threatened them. To the chorus is added the mode of giving thanks, by a sacrifice and joyful singing (Ps 50:14).

23-32. Here are set forth the perils of seafaring, futility of man's, and efficiency of God's, help.

go … sea—alluding to the elevation of the land at the coast.

24. These see … deep—illustrated both by the storm He raises and the calm He makes with a word (Ps 33:9).

25. waves thereof—literally, "His waves" (God's, Ps 42:7).

27. are … end—literally, "all their wisdom swallows up itself," destroys itself by vain and contradictory devices, such as despair induces.

29-32. He maketh … calm—or, "to stand to stillness," or "in quiet." Instead of acts of temple-worship, those of the synagogue are here described, where the people with the

assembly—or session of elders, convened for reading, singing, prayer, and teaching.

33-41. He turneth rivers into a wilderness, &c.—God's providence is illustriously displayed in His influence on two great elements of human prosperity, the earth's productiveness and the powers of government. He punishes the wicked by destroying the sources of fertility, or, in mercy, gives fruitfulness to deserts, which become the homes of a busy and successful agricultural population. By a permitted misrule and tyranny, this scene of prosperity is changed to one of adversity. He rules rulers, setting up one and putting down another.

40. wander … wilderness—reduced to misery (Job 12:24).

42, 43. In this providential government, good men will rejoice, and the cavils of the wicked will be stopped (Job 5:16; Isa 52:15), and all who take right views will appreciate God's unfailing mercy and unbounded love.