Side by side
Psalm 107
Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.
Section 1: Gathered from Every DirectionVerses 1 to 9
"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever" (107:1).
The opening line is the chorus of all Israel's praise. Here it introduces four specific stories.
"Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story — those He redeemed from the hand of the foe, those He gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south" (107:2–3).
The redeemed are gathered from everywhere — the exiles returning.
"Some wandered in a desert wasteland, finding no city to dwell in. They were hungry and thirsty; their life was ebbing away" (107:4–5).
"Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight path to a city where they could dwell" (107:6–7).
"Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and for His wonders to the children of men, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things" (107:8–9).
Refrain and application: satisfied thirst, filled hunger — God's direct answer to their direct need.
1Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever. 2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy 3and gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. 4Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no path to a city in which to dwell. 5They were hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted within them. 6Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. 7He led them on a straight path to reach a city where they could live. 8Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men. 9For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Section 2: Those Who Sat in DarknessVerses 10 to 16
"Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, imprisoned in iron chains of affliction, for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High" (107:10–11).
This group is not innocent. They are in darkness partly because of their own choices.
"He humbled their hearts with hard labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help." (107:12).
"Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their chains in pieces" (107:13–14).
The refrain: they cried, He saved. Even those who brought the trouble on themselves.
"Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and for His wonders to the children of men, for He breaks down bronze gates and cuts through iron bars" (107:15–16).
10Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains, 11because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. 12He humbled their hearts with hard labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. 13Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. 14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke away their chains. 15Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men. 16For He has broken down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.
Section 3: The Sick Who Were Brought LowVerses 17 to 22
"Fools, in their rebellious ways, and through their iniquities, suffered affliction. They loathed all food and drew near to the gates of death." (107:17–18).
Again: cause acknowledged. But the cry is still heard.
"Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit." (107:19–20).
"Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and for His wonders to the children of men. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and tell of His works with joyful singing" (107:21–22).
17Fools, in their rebellious ways, and through their iniquities, suffered affliction. 18They loathed all food and drew near to the gates of death. 19Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. 20He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit. 21Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men. 22Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare His works with rejoicing.
Section 4: Those Who Went Down to the SeaVerses 23 to 32
"Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the great waters. They saw the works of the LORD, His wonders in the deep" (107:23–24).
"For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish." (107:25–26).
God raised this storm. The sailors' helplessness is total.
"They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless." (107:27).
"Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed." (107:28–29).
"They rejoiced when the waves grew quiet, and He guided them to the harbor they desired. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and for His wonders to the children of men" (107:30–31).
23Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters. 24They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. 25For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. 26They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish. 27They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless. 28Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. 29He calmed the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 30They rejoiced in the silence, and He guided them to the harbor they desired. 31Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men. 32Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the people and praise Him in the council of the elders.
Section 5: WisdomVerses 33 to 43
"He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the wickedness of those who live there" (107:33–34).
"He turns a desert into pools of water and a dry land into flowing springs." (107:35).
"He brings the hungry to dwell there, and they establish a city to live in. They sow their fields and plant their vineyards and reap a fruitful harvest" (107:36–37).
"Let him who is wise pay heed to these things and consider the loving devotion of the LORD." (107:43).
The closing invitation: see the pattern. God reverses fortunes. Wisdom is paying attention to what He has done.
33He turns rivers into deserts, springs of water into thirsty ground, 34and fruitful land into fields of salt, because of the wickedness of its dwellers. 35He turns a desert into pools of water and a dry land into flowing springs. 36He causes the hungry to settle there, that they may establish a city in which to dwell. 37They sow fields and plant vineyards that yield a fruitful harvest. 38He blesses them, and they multiply greatly; He does not let their herds diminish. 39When they are decreased and humbled by oppression, evil, and sorrow, 40He pours out contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland. 41But He lifts the needy from affliction and increases their families like flocks. 42The upright see and rejoice, and all iniquity shuts its mouth. 43Let him who is wise pay heed to these things and consider the loving devotion of the LORD.
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