Psalms 107
Psalms 107 is part of “Book V: The Deuteronomy Book” (107–150) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 107 summary
The psalmist, having in the two foregoing psalms celebrated the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, in his dealings with his church in particular, here observes some of the instances of his providential care of the children of men in general, especially in their distresses; for he is not only King of saints, but King of nations, not only the God of Israel, but the God of the whole earth, and a common Father to all mankind. Though this may especially refer to Israelites in their personal capacity, yet there were those who pertained not to the commonwealth of Israel and yet were worshippers of the true God; and even those who worshipped images…
Read the full introduction
The psalmist, having in the two foregoing psalms celebrated the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, in his dealings with his church in particular, here observes some of the instances of his providential care of the children of men in general, especially in their distresses; for he is not only King of saints, but King of nations, not only the God of Israel, but the God of the whole earth, and a common Father to all mankind. Though this may especially refer to Israelites in their personal capacity, yet there were those who pertained not to the commonwealth of Israel and yet were worshippers of the true God; and even those who worshipped images had some knowledge of a supreme "Numen," to whom, when they were in earnest, they looked above all their false gods. And of these, when they prayed in their distresses, God took a particular care, I. The psalmist specifies some of the most common calamities of human life, and shows how God succours those that labour under them, in answer to their prayers. 1. Banishment and dispersion (Psa 107:2-9). 2. Captivity and imprisonment (Psa 107:10-16). 3. Sickness and distemper of body (Psa 107:17-22). 4. Danger and distress at sea (Psa 107:23-32). These are put for all similar perils, in which those that cry unto God have ever found him a very present help. II. He specifies the varieties and vicissitudes of events concerning nations and families, in all which God's hand is to be eyed by his own people, with joyful acknowledgments of his goodness (Psa 107:33-43). When we are in any of these or the like distresses it will be comfortable to sing this psalm, with application; but, if we be not, others are, and have been, of whose deliverances it becomes us to give God the glory, for we are members one of another.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Key verses in Psalms 107
Psalms 107 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Give Thanks to the Lord for His Steadfast Love
1Praise the Lord, because he is good: for his mercie endureth for euer. 2Let them, which haue bene redeemed of the Lord, shewe how he hath deliuered them from the hand of the oppressour, 3And gathered them out of the lands, from the East and from the West, from the North and from the South. 4When they wandered in the desert and wildernesse out of the waie, and founde no citie to dwell in, 5Both hungrie and thirstie, their soule fainted in them. 6Then they cried vnto the Lord in their trouble, and he deliuered them from their distresse, 7And led them forth by the right way, that they might goe to a citie of habitation. 8Let them therefore confesse before ye Lord his louing kindnesse, and his wonderfull woorkes before the sonnes of men. 9For he satisfied the thirstie soule, and filled the hungrie soule with goodnesse. 10They that dwell in darkenesse and in the shadowe of death, being bounde in miserie and yron, 11Because they rebelled against the wordes of the Lord, and despised the counsell of the most High, 12When he humbled their heart with heauines, then they fell downe and there was no helper. 13Then they cried vnto the Lord in their trouble, and he deliuered them from their distresse. 14He brought them out of darkenes, and out of the shadowe of death, and brake their bandes asunder. 15Let them therefore cofesse before the Lord his louing kindnesse, and his wonderfull woorkes before the sonnes of men. 16For hee hath broken the gates of brasse, and brast the barres of yron asunder. 17Fooles by reason of their transgression, and because of their iniquities are afflicted. 18Their soule abhorreth al meat, and they are brought to deaths doore. 19Then they crie vnto the Lord in their trouble, and he deliuereth them from their distresse. 20He sendeth his worde and healeth them, and deliuereth them from their graues. 21Let them therefore cofesse before the Lord his louing kindnesse, and his wonderful workes before the sonnes of men, 22And let them offer sacrifices of praise, and declare his workes with reioycing. 23They that goe downe to the sea in ships, and occupie by the great waters, 24They see the woorkes of the Lord, and his wonders in the deepe. 25For he commaundeth and raiseth the stormie winde, and it lifteth vp the waues thereof. 26They mount vp to the heauen, and descend to ye deepe, so that their soule melteth for trouble. 27They are tossed to and from, and stagger like a drunken man, and all their cunning is gone. 28Then they crie vnto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresse. 29He turneth the storme to calme, so that the waues thereof are still. 30When they are quieted, they are glad, and hee bringeth them vnto the hauen, where they would be. 31Let them therfore confesse before the Lord his louing kindnesse, and his wonderfull woorkes before the sonnes of men. 32And let them exalt him in the Congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the Elders. 33He turneth the floodes into a wildernesse, and the springs of waters into drinesse, 34And a fruitfull land into barrennes for the wickednes of them that dwell therein. 35Againe hee turneth the wildernesse into pooles of water, and the drie lande into water springs. 36And there he placeth the hungrie, and they builde a citie to dwell in, 37And sowe the fieldes, and plant vineyardes, which bring foorth fruitfull increase. 38For he blesseth them, and they multiplie exceedingly, and he diminisheth not their cattell. 39Againe men are diminished, and brought lowe by oppression, euill and sorowe. 40He powreth contempt vpon princes, and causeth them to erre in desert places out of the way. 41Yet he raiseth vp the poore out of miserie, and maketh him families like a flocke of sheepe. 42The righteous shall see it, and reioyce, and all iniquitie shall stoppe her mouth. 43Who is wise that hee may obserue these things? for they shall vnderstand the louing kindnesse of the Lord.