And gathered them out of the lands (compare the prayer of Psalms 106:47 ; and for the expression, "the lands" —i . e . the foreign countries—see Psalms 106:27 ; Ezra 9:1 ). From the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. The present Hebrew text has מִיָּם , "from the sea" and so the LXX ; ἀπὸ θαλάσσης —but it is thought that probably מִיָּם is a corruption of מִיָּמִין (Cheyne), which would mean "from the south ." read more
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so - They are especially qualified to say so; they have special occasion to say so; they can and will appreciate this trait in his character. The word rendered “redeemed” here - from גאל gā'al - means “delivered, rescued,” without reference to any price paid for the deliverance. It refers here not to a ransom from “sin,” but to deliverance from “danger.” The probable allusion is to the deliverance from the captivity in Babylon. Compare the notes at Isaiah... read more
And gathered them out of the lands - The countries where they were scattered. In the times of the captivity the people were not all taken to one place, or did not all abide in one place. In the long exile - of seventy years - in Babylon, they would naturally be much scattered in the different provinces; and the attempt to collect them together, to restore them again to their native land, might be attended with much difficulty.From the east ... - From all quarters; from the places where they... read more
Psalms 107:1-3. O give thanks, &c. This whole verse occurs also Psalms 106:1; only there the address is made to the Israelites, here, it seems, to all mankind. For his mercy endureth for ever “Eternal mercy is the theme here proposed; and they who have tasted its sweets, are invited to join in setting forth its praises.” Let the redeemed say so All those whom God hath redeemed, as it is expressed in the next clause, or delivered from the calamities hereafter mentioned: whom he hath... read more
Psalms 107-108 Specific thanksgivingsPsalms 107:0 seems to be particularly appropriate to the time of the Jews’ return to their homeland after their exile in Babylon. It is a song of thanksgiving to be sung by those who have been saved from some great affliction or danger (107:1-3). Four different cases are introduced by verses 4, 10, 17 and 23. Each of the cases describes the danger, notes the prayer, outlines the answer and concludes with a word of instruction and warning.The first... read more
redeemed. Hebrew. ga'al, to redeem by purchase. See notes on Exodus 6:6 , and compare Exodus 13:13 . hand. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the power exercised by it. enemy = adversary, or straitnesses. read more
gathered. This is the subject of this last book. Gathered by His Word; and according to His Word. See the Structure, p. 826, and note, p. 827. the lands, &c. Figure of speech Topographia ( App-6 ), for emphasis. The Psalm looks forward to the final ingathering of Israel. south = sea: i.e. the Red Sea. read more
Psalms 107:2-3. Let the redeemed, &c.— Though these verses seem more immediately to refer to the return of the Jews from Babylon; yet the next has a more immediate reference to the deliverance out of Egypt: but it is most probable that the latter expressions are only metaphorical; for it is very common with the Hebrew poets to take their ideas from the past transactions related in their history. See Bishop Lowth's eighth Lecture. read more
2. redeemed of the Lord—(compare Isaiah 35:9; Isaiah 35:10). say—that is, that His mercy, &c. hand of—or, "power of enemy." read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 107:2
The Lord's people are a redeemed people. "The ransomed of Jehovah" (Perowne). This has been well called "the psalm of life." While its figures are partly suggested by the history of Israel, it is a meditative rather than historical psalm. "It presents to us, first, a magnificent series of pictures of various crises of human life—of the distress which throws men at such times on God in prayer, and of his gracious answer of deliverance; and next, a more thoughtful contemplation of God's... read more