Psalm 107:16

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:16

For he hath broken the gates of brass ,.... The prison doors made of brass, as sometimes of iron, for the security of the prisoners; see Acts 12:10 . And cut the bars of iron in sunder; with which they were barred and secured. Hyperbolical phrases these, as Kimchi, expressing how exceeding strong the prison doors were, and the impossibility of an escape out of them, unless the Lord had delivered them; but when he works, none can let; all obstructions are easily removed by him; which is the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 107:16

For he hath broken - This is the reason given for thanks to God for his deliverance of the captives. It was not a simple deliverance; it was done so as to manifest the irresistible power of God. He tore the prison in pieces, and cut the bars of iron asunder. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 107:1-32

Deliverance and indebtedness. We can never measure what we owe to God for his daily loving-kindness. Indeed, it is only the wise who observe and take account of the Divine source of all human blessings, that at all understand how great is our debt of gratitude ( Psalms 107:43 ). But we are too apt to overlook God's goodness to us even in the more striking events of life. How often in the course of our life are we cast upon the kindness of the Divine Redeemer! I. THE MANIFOLDNESS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 107:1-43

Formally, the psalm falls into seven divisions: read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 107:1-43

Wherefore men should praise the Lord. Such is the theme of this glorious psalm. "It contains the thanksgiving of exiles ( Psalms 107:3 ) apparently not yet returned to Jerusalem, but already escaped from the thraldom of Babylon." Note— I. ITS GENERAL LESSONS . 1. It tells of present earthly troubles . They were such as the returning exiles had met with, for Babylon was not the alone place of exile. There had been weary wanderings in the barren, waterless, and burning... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 107:4-32

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 107:10-16

There are others afflicted differently—struck down by some grievous calamity, imprisonment, earthly ruin, down fall of their hopes, a sense of their bondage to sin—who suffer perhaps even more than the dissatisfied wanderers. They too may cry to God in their trouble; and when they do, they experience his mercy. Let them join in the chorus of praise. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 107:16

For he hath broken the gates of brass . God completely liberates the un happy ones who turn to him; removes every restraint that confines and galls them; breaks on their behalf, as it were, "gates of brass." And cut the bars of iron in sunder. Snaps fetters and prison bars. read more

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