Psalm 107:17-43

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 107:17

Fools, because of their transgression ,.... Or, "because of the way" F8 מדרך "propter viam", Pagninus, Montanus, Piscator. "of it"; their sinful course of life; for it is not for a single transgression they are afflicted, but for a continued series of sinning, which is a transgression of the law of God. By "fools" are meant not idiots, men devoid of common sense and natural understanding, but immoral persons; such who have no understanding of divine and spiritual things; are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:18

Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat ,.... Not only bread and common food, but dainty meat, the most delicious fare, Job 33:20 , in which they most delighted in time of health, and too much indulged themselves in; and by that means brought diseases upon them, which caused this loathing in them, as is common. Thus to those who are distempered with sin, whose taste is not changed, nor can it discern perverse things, the word of God, the Gospel of Christ, which is delicious food, is not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:19

Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble ,.... A time of affliction is a time of trouble, and a proper season for prayer; and by it persons are brought to the throne of grace, when humbled under the mighty hand of God, to seek for relief. Hezekiah in his affliction prayed to the Lord, though Asa sought to the physicians only, and not to the Lord; this is to be understood of such who are convinced of their folly, brought to a sense of sin and danger, and therefore cry to the Lord for his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:20

He sent his word, and healed them ,.... It was his will and pleasure they should be healed, and accordingly they were; he issued his orders for the removal of the affliction, and it was done; diseases are his servants, which come and go at his command; so Christ, in the days of his flesh, healed by speaking a word, Matthew 8:3 . This is true of Christ the essential Word, who was sent in the fulness of time, and was made flesh and dwelt among men, and went about healing all manner of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:21

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness ,.... Both in restoring to bodily health, which is an instance of divine goodness; and in healing the diseases of the soul, or in the pardon of sin, which is according to the multitude of his mercies, and the riches of his grace. And for his wonderful works to the children of men ; bodily health is sometimes restored in a wonderful manner, when all means used are without success, and the prescriptions of doctors fail; and pardon of sin... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:22

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving ,.... Not legal sacrifices, but spiritual and evangelical ones, the sacrifices of praise and thankfulness which God has enjoined are well pleasing to him through Christ, glorify him, and are but our reasonable service; see Hebrews 13:15 . And declare his works with rejoicing : tell them to the children of men, what he has done for them, for soul and body; let them come to Zion with joy and everlasting joy on their heads; to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:23

They that go down to the sea in ships ,.... This is the fourth instance of persons in distress crying to the Lord for help, and, having it, are laid under obligation to praise him; the case of seafaring men: so the Targum introduces it, "mariners that go down to the sea in ships;' the same form of expression as here is used in Isaiah 42:10 . Some affirm the sea to be higher than the earth, but by this it should be lower; besides the earth is said to be founded on the seas, which... read more

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