The form is historical, but the intention is to describe a recurrent event. Men from time to time wander—lose their way—either literally, or in the wilderness of life, grow faint and weary, and are ready to perish. But if they cry to God, God gives them aid, succors them, saves them. Then let them praise and thank him. read more
Four portraits of one soul. I. INQUIRE AS TO THE SOUL . 1. The psalm tells of ransomed exiles, of redeemed Israelites, and recounts the sad but varied experiences through which they had passed. Some had been wanderers, some captives, some stricken with mortal sickness, some all but lost at sea. 2. But in all ages of the Church this psalm has been taken as telling not merely of the literal facts which it records, but as setting forth in vivid and varied way the... read more
Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them . Either actual hunger and thirst, or dissatisfaction with life, may be intended. read more
Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble (comp. Psalms 106:44 , and the comment ad loc .). And he delivered them out of their distresses. "Distresses" may be a plural of amplification, or it may point to the triple suffering—hunger, thirst, faintness. read more
And he led them forth by the right way ; or, "by a straight way"—a way in which there was no crookedness. That they might go to a city of habitation. The same phrase as in Psalms 107:4 . A city suitable for habitation is meant. read more
Hungry and thirsty - As they would be, when wandering in such a desert. A more literal and expressive rendering would be, “Hungry - also thirsty.”Their soul fainted in them - The word used here - עטף ‛âṭaph - means properly to cover, to clothe, as with a garment, Psalms 73:6; or a field with grain, Psalms 65:13; then, to hide oneself, Job 23:9; then, to cover with darkness, Psalms 77:3; Psalms 102:0, title; thus it denotes the state of mind when darkness seems to be in the way - a way of... read more
Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble - The language in this verse is repeated in this psalm in Psalms 107:13, Psalms 107:19, Psalms 107:28 - as if this were the main subject of the psalm, that when the people of God in different circumstances, or under various forms of trouble, call upon God, he hears them and delivers them.And he delivered them out of their distresses - The verb from which the noun used here is derived has the idea of being “narrow, straitened, compressed.” Hence,... read more
And he led them forth by the right way - A literal version, if the term necessary to express it might be allowable, would be,” He wayed them in a straight way;” he made a way for them, and that was a straight way. He conducted them in the most direct path to the land to which they were going.That they might go to a city of habitation - A city where they might permanently dwell. The word “city” here seems to be used in the sense of “abode;” and the idea is, that he led them to a land where they... read more
Psalms 107:4-7. They wandered in the wilderness Where there was no trodden path, no company, but a solitary way. They found no city to dwell in Or rather, no inhabited city, or town, no lodging; no conveniences, no accommodations where they might have refreshment. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted, &c. Spent with the fatigues of their journey, and ready to drop down for want of support. This may refer, 1st, To the wanderings of the Israelites in the wilderness for forty... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 107:1-43
God's watchful care. "Whatever the circumstances under which the psalm was written, there can be no doubt as to the great lesson which it inculcates"—that God watches over men, and his ear is open to their prayers. Look at some illustrations. I. GOD HAD ANSWERED THE CRY OF THE JEWS IN EXILE , AND RESTORED THEM TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY . ( Psalms 107:2 , Psalms 107:8 , Psalms 107:9 .) They were called on to give thanks for thou wonders, and to... read more