Psalm 107:1-43

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 107:1-9

Here is, I. A general call to all to give thanks to God, Ps. 107:1. Let all that sing this psalm, or pray over it, set themselves herein to give thanks to the Lord; and those that have not any special matter for praise may furnish themselves with matter enough from God's universal goodness. In the fountain he is good; in the streams his mercy endures for ever and never fails. II. A particular demand hereof from the redeemed of the Lord, which may well be applied spiritually to those that have... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 107:10-16

We are to take notice of the goodness of God towards prisoners and captives. Observe, 1. A description of this affliction. Prisoners are said to sit in darkness (Ps. 107:10), in dark dungeons, close prisons, which intimates that they are desolate and disconsolate; they sit in the shadow of death, which intimates not only great distress and trouble, but great danger. Prisoners are many times appointed to die; they sit despairing to get out, but resolving to make the best of it. They are bound... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 107:17-22

Bodily sickness is another of the calamities of this life which gives us an opportunity of experiencing the goodness of God in recovering us, and of that the psalmist speaks in these verses, where we may observe, I. That we, by our sins, bring sickness upon ourselves and then it is our duty to pray, Ps. 107:17-18. 1. It is the sin of the soul that is the cause of sickness; we bring it upon ourselves both meritoriously and efficiently: Fools, because of their transgression, are thus afflicted;... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 107:23-32

The psalmist here calls upon those to give glory to God who are delivered from dangers at sea. Though the Israelites dealt not much in merchandise, yet their neighbours the Tyrians and Zidonians did, and for them perhaps this part of the psalm was especially calculated. I. Much of the power of God appears at all times in the sea, Ps. 107:23, 24. It appears to those that go down to the sea in ships, as mariners, merchants, fishermen, or passengers, that do business in great waters. And surely... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 107:33-43

The psalmist, having given God the glory of the providential reliefs granted to persons in distress, here gives him the glory of the revolutions of providence, and the surprising changes it sometimes makes in the affairs of the children of men. I. He gives some instances of these revolutions. 1. Fruitful countries are made barren and barren countries are made fruitful. Much of the comfort of this life depends upon the soil in which our lot is cast. Now, (1.) The sin of man has often marred the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:1

O give thanks unto the Lord ,.... As all men should do, at all times and for all things; the psalm begins as the former does, and gives the same reasons for thanksgiving. For he is good ; and does good, and is the author of all good. For his mercy endureth for ever ; and men in every age are partakers of it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:2

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so ,.... That the Lord is good, and his mercy everlasting; since their redemption is a proof of his goodness, and an instance of his mercy; this is not to be understood of the Israelites redeemed from Egyptian bondage, or from the Babylonish captivity, though they had abundant reason to say as above; but rather of all such who are delivered from any sort of slavery, bondage, and confinement; whether from the power of a disease, or from a prison, or from... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:3

And gathered them out of the lands ,.... This cannot have respect to the bringing of the children of Israel out of Egypt; for they were not then brought out of several countries, but from one land only: nor to the Babylonish captivity; for, though some might be gathered out of different provinces, yet not from east, west, north, and south, as here expressed. It best suits with the gathering of the redeemed in the effectual calling, and particularly the calling of the Gentiles in Gospel... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:4

They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way ,.... Not the people of Israel, as the Targum. These seem not to be particularly intended, whatever allusion there may be to their passage through the wilderness to Canaan's land; but rather, in general, travellers through waste places, especially the wild deserts of Arabia; where the wind blowing the sand, covers the roads with it, so that frequently travellers lose their way, and wander about, till directed to it by one providence or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:5

Hungry and thirsty ,.... As travellers in deserts sometimes are; their provisions being spent they bring with them, and none to be had on the road; there being no inns to stop at, nor any sort of food to eat, nor springs of water to drink of. In such a condition are souls, when, like the prodigal, they come to themselves, and are thoroughly convinced of their state and condition by nature; they find themselves starving and famishing, and no provision to be had from themselves or the... read more

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