John Calvin Commentary Psalms 107:39

"Again, they are diminished and bowed down Through oppression, trouble, and sorrow." — Psalms 107:39 (ASV)

Afterwards they are lessened. Before I begin to consider the truths contained in this verse, I must make some brief observations about the wording. Some take the word עוצר (otser) to mean tyranny, and certainly עצר (atsar) does mean to bear rule. But since it is used metaphorically for anguish, it seems to me that this meaning is most consistent with the overall message of the passage. The last two words of the verse may be read in the nominative case, as I have rendered them, or in the genitive, as the anguish of misery and sorrow. This latter reading seems preferable to me: through the anguish of misery, and through sorrow.

We come now to notice briefly the main things in the passage. And as we previously had a description of the changes these districts underwent in relation to the nature of the soil, so now we are informed that humankind does not forever continue in the same condition, because they both decrease in number and lose their place and property by being reduced by wars, by civil commotions, or by other misfortunes.

Therefore, whether they are devastated by pestilence, or are defeated in battle, or are cut off by internal conflicts, it is clear that both their rank and condition undergo alteration. And what is the cause of this change, but that God withdraws His grace, which previously formed the hidden spring from which all their prosperity flowed?

And as there are a thousand misfortunes by which cities may be ruined, the prophet brings forward one type of change that is, above all others, the most tangible and noteworthy. Since God’s hand is not observed in what happens to people living in relative obscurity, He brings into view princes themselves, whose name and fame will not permit any memorable event that befalls them to remain in obscurity. For it seems that the world is made on their account. When God, therefore, hurls them from their high position, then men, aroused as it were from their slumber, are prepared to pay attention to His judgments.

Here, too, the phrasing used must be attended to. In saying that God poured contempt upon princes, it is as if He willed that, so long as they retained their dignity, honor and respect should be paid to them. The words of Daniel are well known:

“O king, God has put the fear of you in the very fowls of the heaven and the beasts of the earth,” (Daniel 2:8)

And surely, though princes may clothe themselves with power, yet that inward honor and majesty which God has conferred upon them is a greater safeguard than any human strength. Nor would even a single village hold out for three days if God, by His invisible and invincible agency, did not restrain the hearts of men.

Hence, whenever God renders princes contemptible, their magnificent power must necessarily be subverted. This is a fact corroborated by history: mighty potentates, who have been the terror and dread of the whole world, when once stripped of their dignity and power, have become the object of ridicule even for their own followers.

And even though such a striking revolution as this should be regarded as a wonderful display of God’s power, yet such is the dullness of our minds that we will not acknowledge His overruling providence.

As a contrast to these reversals, the prophet afterwards shows that the poor and lowly are exalted, their households increased, and that those who were held in low regard suddenly increase in wealth and power. In these things, men would surely recognize the providence of God, if the perversity of their minds did not make them oblivious.