Psalms 107:1-43

The Psalmist sings the lovingkindness of the Lord, giving examples from (a) Israel in the wilderness (Psalms 107:4-9), (b) people in captivity (Psalms 107:10-16), (c) people in sickness (Psalms 107:17-22), (d) vicissitudes of sea-going men (Psalms 107:23-32), (e) and a rescue from drought (33-42). The Ps. has a refrain at intervals (Psalms 107:8, Psalms 107:15, Psalms 107:21, Psalms 107:31).

1. For his mercy endureth for ever] evidently a well-known refrain: cp. Psalms 136. Mercy] better, ’lovingkindness.’

2. Redeemed] perhaps from exile.

3. Lands] i.e. foreign lands.

4. The v. might refer to wanderings on the way from Egypt, but the reference to ’a city of habitation’ (Psalms 107:7) points rather to return from Babylon to Jerusalem.

10. Sit] RV ’sat.’ Iron] perhaps metaphorically: cp. Psalms 105:18. The reference is evidently to captivity, i.e. slavery.

11. The words of God] as declared by His prophets.

14. Bands] i.e. their state of subjection: cp. Psalms 2:3.

16. Cp. Isaiah 45:2.

17. A new illustration. Read, probably, ’Sick men, because of the way of their transgression,’ etc.

20. Sent] RV ’sendeth.’ The phrase is noteworthy as heralding, unconsciously perhaps, the Word (John 1:14).

23-30. A striking description of mariners in a storm.

27. Are at their wit’s end] RM ’all their wisdom is swallowed up.’

30. Their desired haven] RM ’the haven of their desire.’ The word rendered ’haven’ is an Assyrian loan-word, and properly means an ’emporium’ or ’mart.’ It is found here only.

33. General instances of God’s kindness in various districts. Some suggest that this is a later addition to the Ps. It has great likenesses to Job and Isaiah 40-66.

34. Barrenness] better, RV ’a salt desert’—perhaps thinking of Sodom: cp. Job 39:6.

35. Cp. Isaiah 41:18.

39. Again] better, ’and when’; but the v. is abrupt and the connexion obscure.

40. Quoted from Job 12:21, Job 12:24. It interrupts the connexion, and by some is omitted.

41. Cp. Job 21:11: ’He set the needy on high from (above) affliction, and established (for him) families as a flock.’

43. Cp. Hosea 14:9, a closing admonition.