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PSALM 107

STROPHE DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

1. There is a possible link between Psalms 105, 106, and 107 (i.e., same introductory phrase). Even though these are separated by a book division, their subject matter and terminology link them together. The LXX adds the characteristic opening of Book 1, "Hallelujah."
   1. Psalm 105 deals with Israel's experience of the exodus
   2. Psalm 106 leads up to the traumatic event of the Babylonian exile
   3. Psalm 107 speaks of restoration
   
   
2. It is important in interpreting the Psalms that we try to ascertain the historical setting. Psalm 107:1-3 helps us realize that this is God's deliverance from Babylonian exile.
   
   
3. There is a recurrent pattern in this Psalm, beginning in Ps. 107:4 and continuing through verse 32. There are several repeated similar refrains. One of them is, "They cried out to the Lord in their trouble," Ps. 106:7,13,19,28. This phrasing is similar to the experience of Israel during the period of the Judges.
   
   
4. Another recurring refrain is Ps. 107:8,15,21,31. This refrain focuses on the covenant loyalty of the God of Israel. This same special term, hesed (see SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS), begins and ends this Psalm. The theme of this wonderful Psalm is the steadfast, covenant loyalty of YHWH.
   
   
5. There is a fourfold pattern of rescue. Some scholars think this relates to pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem, but this seems highly unlikely, especially because of pattern #4 in Ps. 107:23-31, which deals with doing business on the sea. A better understanding would be four images of deliverance from crises:
   1. a caravan lost in the wilderness being found, Ps. 107:4-9
   2. prisoners in deep dungeons being released, Ps. 107:10-16
   3. illness to the point of death, but healing, Ps. 107:17-22
   4. those who experience a terrible storm at sea but are delivered, Ps. 107:23-31

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 107:1-3
 ¹Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
 For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
 ²Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
 Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary
 ³And gathered from the lands,
 From the east and from the west,
 From the north and from the south.

107:1 "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good" This is the same beginning as Psalm 106; 118; and 136 (i.e., BDB 392, KB 389, Hiphil IMPERATIVE; it is the only IMPERATIVE in this Psalm). This is basically the faithful follower's worldview. No matter what circumstances in which we may find ourselves, it is the deep conviction of those who believe the Bible that God is with us, God is for us, God is able to deliver us.

▣ "for He is good" This root (BDB 373 II, KB 370-372) has a wide semantic field. Here, as it is so often, it is used of YHWH's character. He is good, kind (cf. BDB 374, #9b, 1 Chr. 16:34; 2 Chr. 5:13; 7:3; 30:18; Ps. 25:8; 34:8; 86:5; 100:5; 106:1; 107:1; 118:1,29; 136:1; Jer. 33:11; Nahum 1:7). Obviously, this is a recurrent affirmation of YHWH's basic character.

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT)

▣ "For His lovingkindness is everlasting" This is the covenant term hesed. It primarily speaks of God's steadfast, covenant loyalty. This Psalm begins and ends (cf. Ps. 107:43b) with God's covenant love. God is not just the originator of covenants, He is the concluder of covenants.

SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (hesed)

SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT

SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam)

107:2 "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so" This VERB "redeemed" is from the Hebrew word go'el (BDB 145, KB 169, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE). It primarily emphasizes a rich relative buying someone back from slavery (see SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM). This is personal family imagery used to describe God in the most intimate and significant of human relationships.

God's people are called to speak forth God's mercies. In context, this is another universal theme (cf. Ps. 107:8,15,21,31).

The word "say" (BDB 55, KB 65) is a Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense. This Psalm has eleven of these grammatical forms (i.e., Ps. 107:2, 8, 15, 21, 22 [twice], 32 [twice, 43 [twice]). This implies temple worship.

▣ "Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary" Because of Ps. 107:3 this refers to the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles. The prayer for restoration is found in Ps. 106:47 and Psalm 107 seems to be the fulfillment of that prayer.

For the idiom of "hand" see SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND.

107:3 "from the south" This is literally the word for "sea" (cf. JPSOA). The term "sea" (BDB 410) and the term "south" (lit. "right hand," BDB 411 I) are spelled similarly in Hebrew. These are the four cardinal points of the compass, which would denote a universal restoration.

Most modern English translations emend "sea" to "south" because "the west" has already been mentioned. The UBS Text Project (p. 384) gives "sea" an "A" rating (very high probability). If the original text should be "sea" it refers to the islands of the Mediterranean where God's people have been taken as prisoners/slaves.

Notice the "gathering" (BDB 867, KB 1062, Piel PERFECT, cf. Isa. 43:5) of YHWH's redeemed in Psalm 107 is an answer to the prayer of Ps. 106:47 (BDB 867, KB 1062, Piel IMPERATIVE).

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 107:4-9
 ⁴They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region;
 They did not find a way to an inhabited city.
 ⁵They were hungry and thirsty;
 Their soul fainted within them.
 ⁶Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
 He delivered them out of their distresses.
 ⁷He led them also by a straight way,
 To go to an inhabited city.
 ⁸Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
 And for His wonders to the sons of men!
 ⁹For He has satisfied the thirsty soul,
 And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.

107:4 "They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region" Some would say this is an obvious allusion to the exodus, however, the rest of the Psalm does not fit the exodus period. Therefore, I think this is the first of four circumstances that describe a crisis from which God delivers His people. See Contextual Insights, E.

▣ "They did not find a way to an inhabited city" This play on the term "inhabited city" is found in several parts of this Psalm (cf. Ps. 107:7, 36). It is possibly an allusion to Jerusalem (cf. Isa. 62:12) and the Promised Land, but it primarily speaks of a place for travelers to find rest, provisions, and safety on their journey.

107:5 The word "soul" ("nephesh," BDB 659, see note online at Gen. 35:18) denotes an air-breathing life force. It is used several times in this Psalm.

1. Ps. 107:5 ‒ their soul fainted within them
2. Ps. 107:9 ‒ the thirsty soul
3. Ps. 107:9 ‒ the hungry soul
4. Ps. 107:18 ‒ their soul abhorred food
5. Ps. 107:26 ‒ their soul melted away

Each of these describes a person in distress and discouragement, at the point of death.

SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH

107:6,13,19,28 "they cried out to the Lord in their trouble" This pattern set up by God's people in crises, crying out to Him and God delivering them, is reminiscent of the period of the Judges.

107:6 "He delivered them out of their distress" God's deliverance is also paralleled in all four of these situations (cf. Ps. 107:6-7; 13-14; 19-20; 28-29). See Contextual Insights, E.

107:7 "He led them also by a straight way" This concept of a straight way reflects the Hebrew idiom of "the two ways" (cf. Deut. 30:15-20; Ps. 1:1; Matt. 7:13-14). A life of faith and faithfulness to YHWH is described as

1. a straight path
2. a level path
3. a smooth path
4. a path free of obstacles

The lifestyle of the wicked is just the opposite, filled with trouble and problems.

Isaiah often speaks of YHWH preparing a special path for His people's return from exile (cf. Isa. 20:7; 35:7-8; 40:3-4; 42:15-16; 43:19-20; 49:10-11; 57:14; 62:10).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY

107:8 "Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness" The VERB (BDB 392, KB 389, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense) occurs in Ps. 107:8,15,21,31. Here again is the repeated refrain of the wonderful covenant love of God manifested in the lives of His children. Even in times of distress, His faithfulness is sure.

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT)

▣ "And for His wonders to the sons of men" Primarily this refers to the grace acts of God in delivering His people (cf. Ps. 107:24, see SPECIAL TOPIC: WONDERFUL THINGS). There are two ways to look at this phrase. One emphasizes God as a global sustainer of life, the God of providential care for all human beings. But, I think a better way of looking at this is that Israel was to be a witness to God's acts to the world. This fits Ps. 107:2 best and the universal emphasis, so characteristic of many of the Psalms in this section of the Psalter. Israel was meant to be a kingdom of priests to lead the entire world to God (cf. Exod. 19:5-6; 1 Kings 8; Ezek. 36:22-36).

SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN

107:9 "For He has satisfied the thirsty soul" This can refer to the physical deliverance of God, for the particular event that those in Ps. 107:4-9 experienced, or it can be extrapolated to a wider spiritual sense. This Psalm, as a whole, can easily be generalized into the problems that all human beings face after Genesis 3 but uniquely the people of God, as they trust in the Lord and are delivered as a witness of God's power and love to an unbelieving world.

The first line of this verse uses the root nephesh, often associated with "a person" or "soul" in a special sense related to the root's etymology of "throat." Therefore, the translation "parched throat" or "thirsty throat."

SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 107:10-16
 ¹⁰There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death,
 Prisoners in misery and chains,
 ¹¹Because they had rebelled against the words of God
 And spurned the counsel of the Most High.
 ¹²Therefore He humbled their heart with labor;
 They stumbled and there was none to help.
 ¹³Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
 He saved them out of their distresses.
 ¹⁴He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death
 And broke their bands apart.
 ¹⁵Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
 And for His wonders to the sons of men!
 ¹⁶For He has shattered gates of bronze
 And cut bars of iron asunder.

107:10 "There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death" The term "shadow of death" (BDB 853) is used in Psalm 23:4 and means "deep darkness" (BDB 161 CONSTRUCT BDB 853). It can be understood as a major crisis in life or someone at the point of death. In this particular case it is obvious that we are talking about prisoners held in the darkest, deepest dungeons (or possibly common imagery for those exiled).

This is the second of four possible scenarios of deliverance. See Contextual Insights, E.

SPECIAL TOPIC: DEEP DARKNESS

107:11 "Because they had rebelled against the words of God" This is a very significant phrase. These crises that are overwhelming God's people are not because of God's lack of power or His lack of love, it is because of the people's open-eyed rebellion against Him (cf. Ps. 107:17,34). Although this is not stated in every one of the four possible scenarios, it is obvious that the problems experienced by Israel are related to their sin and rebellion against the covenant (cf. Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 27-30).

▣ "the Most High" This Psalm uses several names for Deity (see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, A., B., D.).

1. YHWH ‒ Ps. 107:1,6,8,13,15,19,21,24,28,31,43
2. El ‒ Ps. 107:11
3. Most High (Elyon, BDB 751) ‒ Ps. 107:11

Number 3 is most often used by non-Israelites (cf. Gen. 14:19; Num. 24:15). Moses uses it in Deut. 32:8 (LXX) for YHWH's division of the earth into nations. Its usage in this Psalm adds to the evidence of the universal nature of this piece of literature.

107:12 "He humbled their heart with labor" This could refer to

1. Genesis 3
2. Exodus 5
3. imagery of life's problems

▣ "none to help" This little phrase is used often for the inability of any other deity to help (cf. 2 Kgs. 14:26; Ps. 22:11; 72:12; Isa. 63:5). YHWH is asserting that "There is no god but Me, and if you rebel against Me, there is no help. But if you respond to Me, there is no force on earth that can enslave you."

SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM

107:13 "they cried out to the Lord" See note at Ps. 107:6.

▣ "He saved them out of their distresses" This is the Hebrew word "saved" (BDB 446, KB 488, Hiphil IMPERFECT), which primarily refers to physical deliverance in the OT. The term "saved" does take on spiritual aspects in the NT.

SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT term)

107:14 This repeats the physical salvation of these prisoners mentioned in Ps. 107:10.

SPECIAL TOPIC: DEEP DARKNESS

107:15 This repeats the emphasis of Ps. 107:8. It is repeated again in 107:21 and 31 for emphasis.

The use of the phrase, "sons of men" (lit. "ben Adam"), has a universal component. YHWH, the Creator of humans in His likeness (cf. Gen. 1:26-27), is also the redeemer of all humans (cf. Gen. 3:15, see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN). There is hope for Israel; there is hope for all!

107:16 "He has shattered gates of bronze

And cut the bars of iron asunder" In their day, these metal gates were the strongest possible human barrier. This is imagery for the strength and power of God that knows no barriers in helping His people (i.e., Isa. 45:1-2).

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 107:17-22
 ¹⁷Fools, because of their rebellious way,
 And because of their iniquities, were afflicted.
 ¹⁸Their soul abhorred all kinds of food,
 And they drew near to the gates of death.
 ¹⁹Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
 He saved them out of their distresses.
 ²⁰He sent His word and healed them,
 And delivered them from their destructions.
 ²¹Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
 And for His wonders to the sons of men!
 ²²Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
 And tell of His works with joyful singing.

107:17a The first line of this stanza has been seen in several different ways.

1. the MT and most English translations have "fools" (BDB 17)
2. the NRSV emends it to "sick" (BDB 317)
3. the LXX and Peshitta have a different Hebrew text, "He helped them out of the way of their sins"

The UBS Text Project, p. 384, gives option #1 a "B" rating.

107:17b "were afflicted" This is imagery about a sickness unto death. However, this verbal form is a REFLEXIVE, not a PASSIVE, and it should be translated "they afflicted themselves" (BDB 776, KB 853, Hithpael IMPERFECT). It has been said that we do not break God's laws but that we break ourselves on God's laws. There is much truth in this statement about God's moral universe.

107:18 This is a way of speaking about a loss of appetite brought on by severe illness. In this verse Sheol is described as a fortress or city with gates (cf. Job 38:17), but obviously this imagery is speaking about death.

SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD?

107:19 The phrase is repeated in Ps. 107:6,13,19, and 28. It is reminiscent of the period of the Judges.

107:20 "He sent His word and healed them" Notice here the Hebrew emphasis on the power of the spoken word. Much like Genesis 1, God spoke and it was accomplished. This same emphasis on the power of the word of God can be seen in Isa. 55:11. In the OT, when God spoke, His words became an independent, self-fulfilling existence.

Just a comment about "healed" (BDB 950, KB 1272, Qal IMPERFECT). It can refer to physical healing, but often it is imagery for spiritual restoration (cf. Ps. 103:3, see full note there; Isa. 1:5-6; 53:5).

SPECIAL TOPIC: HEALING

▣ "And delivered them from their destruction" The NOUN "destructions" (lit. "pits," BDB 1005) is a rare root and is found in only three places in the OT.

1. here
2. Prov. 28:10
3. Lam. 4:20

It could refer to

1. the schemes and plans of enemies (animal traps)
2. death (Sheol as the pit)

SPECIAL TOPIC: SHEOL

107:21 This phrase is repeated in Ps. 107:8,15,21,31. See full note at Ps. 107:8.

107:22 This verse emphasizes temple worship in Jerusalem, as does Ps. 107:32. It is possible that 107:2a also reflects a temple activity.

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 107:23-32
 ²³Those who go down to the sea in ships,
 Who do business on great waters;
 ²⁴They have seen the works of the Lord,
 And His wonders in the deep.
 ²⁵For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind,
 Which lifted up the waves of the sea.
 ²⁶They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths;
 Their soul melted away in their misery.
 ²⁷They reeled and staggered like a drunken man,
 And were at their wits' end.
 ²⁸Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
 And He brought them out of their distresses.
 ²⁹He caused the storm to be still,
 So that the waves of the sea were hushed.
 ³⁰Then they were glad because they were quiet,
 So He guided them to their desired haven.
 ³¹Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
 And for His wonders to the sons of men!
 ³²Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people,
 And praise Him at the seat of the elders.

107:23 "Those who go down to the sea in ships" The Jews did not engage in seafaring activities very often. There is one example in 1 Kgs. 9:27,28, where Solomon built a fleet on the Gulf of Aqaba, but he was condemned because of this and the fact that the Phoenicians built and manned the ships. There is a veiled allusion to one of the Jewish tribes being involved in maritime activities in Jdgs. 5:17, but again, this is rather cryptic and uncertain in its meaning. The Jews simply did not engage in seafaring activity very much. The background to Ps. 107:23-32 is a severe storm at sea, which would terrify desert dwellers.

This is the fourth hypothetical situation of deliverance; see Contextual Insights, E.

107:25-27 These are striking images of seasickness and fear associated with a storm at sea. It also emphasizes YHWH's control of water (cf. vv. 29,33,35).

SPECIAL TOPIC: WATERS

107:26 "the heavens" See SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVENS.

▣ "soul" See SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH

107:27 The VERB in line two is literally "swallowed" (BDB 118, Hithapel IMPERFECT), which denoted the sudden destruction of something (i.e., the sea swallowing a ship in a storm).

KB 135 III takes the root to be "to show oneself confused." This would be the only example of this root in the Hithpael, though it does occur in

1. a Niphal in Isa. 28:7
2. a Piel in Isa. 3:12; 19:3
3. a Pual in Isa. 9:16

Several English translations see this VERB as relating to the experienced sailors' inability to use their knowledge of the sea in order to escape.

107:28 This reminds me of the sailors in Jonah.

107:30 "their desired haven" This is literally "desired city." This term for "city" (BDB 562, KB 568) is found only here. Most English translations have "haven" or "harbor." I think it parallels the "inhabited city" of Ps. 107:4 and 36. It was a place of rest, provision, and safety! It may contrast "the gates of death" (i.e., Sheol, the city of the dead). Ultimately only God is such a place! He is the only eternal city (cf. Heb. 11:10)!

107:31 This verse suggests praise to YHWH for His

1. covenant loyalty (i.e., hesed; see SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS)
2. acts of deliverance (lit. "wonders"; see SPECIAL TOPIC: WONDERFUL THINGS, cf. vv. 8,15,21,31).

107:32 "the congregation of the people" This is a characteristic covenant phrase for Israel. This would be a reference to temple worship.

▣ "praised Him at the seat of the elders" There has been some speculation that Ps. 107:33-43 contains

1. the peoples' words to the elders
2. the elders' response to their words

Whatever the exact nature of the following verses, these suggestions do not fit the fourfold pattern that has been established in Ps. 107:4-32.

SPECIAL TOPIC: ELDERS

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 107:33-38
 ³³He changes rivers into a wilderness
 And springs of water into a thirsty ground;
 ³⁴A fruitful land into a salt waste,
 Because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it.
 ³⁵He changes a wilderness into a pool of water
 And a dry land into springs of water;
 ³⁶And there He makes the hungry to dwell,
 So that they may establish an inhabited city,
 ³⁷And sow fields and plant vineyards,
 And gather a fruitful harvest.
 ³⁸Also He blesses them and they multiply greatly,
 And He does not let their cattle decrease.

107:33-43 God's judgment is for the purpose of restoration and abundance. That purpose is the restoration of God's people and their blessing is to witness to the world (see note at v. 8). This is very similar to the blessing and cursing section of Lev. 26:1-13 and Deuteronomy 27-30.

107:38 "He blessed them" This is the use of the root "bless" (BDB 138) to denote YHWH's desire to

1. fill the earth (cf. Gen. 1:28; 9:1,7)
2. multiply the number of His chosen people (i.e., Gen. 48:4,16; Exod. 1:7; Lev. 26:9; Deut. 7:13; 28:4,11).

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 107:39-43
 ³⁹When they are diminished and bowed down
 Through oppression, misery and sorrow,
 ⁴⁰He pours contempt upon princes
 And makes them wander in a pathless waste.
 ⁴¹But He sets the needy securely on high away from affliction,
 And makes his families like a flock.
 ⁴²The upright see it and are glad;
 But all unrighteousness shuts its mouth.
 ⁴³Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things,
 And consider the lovingkindnesses of the Lord.

107:40,41 "princes. . .the needy" The reversal of roles is one of the characteristic signs of God's ways with humans. Those leaders of Israel who led their people astray are now judged and the poor and ostracized of the community are now brought into a place of redemption, health, and security.

In some contexts "the afflicted" refers to YHWH's faithful followers.

107:43a This is similar to the NT phrase, "To him who has ears, let him hear." God has revealed His plan for His people. Now His people must respond by faith. However, even with their faith response, the key is not their faithfulness, but God's faithfulness (cf. Ezek. 36:27-36).

107:43b This may refer to Deut. 32:7. Covenant obedience brings blessings (Ps. 107:33-38) but covenant disobedience brings cursings (cf Ps. 107:39-40).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. Why do some commentators believe that Psalms 105, 106, and 107 are related even though they are found in two different books (i.e., divisions) in the Psalter?
2. What is the significance of the Hebrew word hesed, translated "lovingkindness" in the New American Standard, "mercy" in King James, that is found so often in this Psalm?
3. What is the supposed historical setting of this Psalm based on Ps. 107:2,3?
4. Describe the fourfold pattern of distress found in Ps. 107:4-32. Do pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem face these literal problems, or are they somehow metaphorical relating to the problems of life?
5. Why are Ps. 107:11,17, and 34 so significant when relating to the problems faced by Israel?
6. How are sin and sickness related in the Jewish mind (cf. Ps. 107:17; John 9:2; James 5:13)?

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