Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 107
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 107
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 107
"O give thanks unto Jehovah; For he is good; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever. Let the redeemed of Jehovah say [so], Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the adversary, And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way; They found no city of habitation. Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he delivered them out of their distresses, He led them also by a straight way, That they might go to a city of habitation. Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, And the hungry soul he filleth with good." — Psalms 107:1-9 (ASV)
In these verses, there is reference to the deliverance from Egypt, and perhaps that from Babylon; but the circumstances of travelers in those countries are also noted. One can hardly imagine the horrors suffered by the unfortunate traveler when crossing the trackless sands, exposed to the burning rays of the sun.
The words describe the condition of those whom the Lord has redeemed from the bondage of Satan. They pass through the world as a dangerous and dreary wilderness, often ready to faint through troubles, fears, and temptations. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, after God, and communion with Him, shall be filled with the goodness of His house, both in grace and glory.
"Such as sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Being bound in affliction and iron, Because they rebelled against the words of God, And contemned the counsel of the Most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labor; They fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And brake their bonds in sunder. Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he hath broken the gates of brass, And cut the bars of iron in sunder." — Psalms 107:10-16 (ASV)
This description of prisoners and captives suggests that they are desolate and sorrowful. In eastern prisons, captives were and are treated with much severity. Afflicting providences must be used as humbling providences; and we lose the benefit if our hearts remain unhumbled and unbroken under them.
This is a shadow of the sinner's deliverance from a far worse confinement. The awakened sinner discovers his guilt and misery. Having struggled in vain for deliverance, he finds there is no help for him except in the mercy and grace of God. His sin is forgiven by a merciful God, and his pardon is accompanied by deliverance from the power of sin and Satan, and by the sanctifying and comforting influences of God the Holy Spirit.
"Fools because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of food; And they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he saveth them out of their distresses. He sendeth his word, and healeth them, And delivereth [them] from their destructions. Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare his works with singing." — Psalms 107:17-22 (ASV)
If we knew no sin, we should know no sickness. Sinners are fools. They hurt their bodily health by intemperance, and endanger their lives by indulging their appetites. This way of theirs is their folly.
The weakness of the body is the effect of sickness. It is by the power and mercy of God that we are recovered from sickness, and it is our duty to be thankful.
All Christ's miraculous cures were emblems of his healing diseases of the soul. It is also to be applied to the spiritual cures which the Spirit of grace works.
He sends his word, and heals souls; convinces, converts them, makes them holy, and all by the word. Even in common cases of recovery from sickness, God in his providence speaks, and it is done; by his word and Spirit the soul is restored to health and holiness.
"They that go down to the sea in ships, That do business in great waters; These see the works of Jehovah, And his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths: Their soul melteth away because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits` end. Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, So that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they are quiet; So he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt him also in the assembly of the people, And praise him in the seat of the elders." — Psalms 107:23-32 (ASV)
Let those who go to sea consider and adore the Lord. Mariners have their business on the tempestuous ocean, and there they witness deliverances that others cannot imagine. How timely it is at such a time to pray! This may remind us of the terrors and distress of conscience many experience, and of those deep scenes of trouble that many pass through in their Christian course. Yet, in answer to their cries, the Lord turns their storm into a calm and causes their trials to end in gladness.
"He turneth rivers into a wilderness, And watersprings into a thirsty ground; A fruitful land into a salt desert, For the wickedness of them that dwell therein. He turneth a wilderness into a pool of water, And a dry land into watersprings. And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, That they may prepare a city of habitation, And sow fields, and plant vineyards, And get them fruits of increase. He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; And he suffereth not their cattle to decrease. Again, they are diminished and bowed down Through oppression, trouble, and sorrow. He poureth contempt upon princes, And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way. Yet setteth he the needy on high from affliction, And maketh [him] families like a flock. The upright shall see it, and be glad; And all iniquity shall stop her mouth. Whoso is wise will give heed to these things; And they will consider the lovingkindnesses of Jehovah. " — Psalms 107:33-43 (ASV)
What surprising changes are often made in human affairs! The present desolate state of Judea, and of other countries, explains this. If we look out into the world, we see many greatly increase whose beginning was small. We see many who have so suddenly risen, just as suddenly brought to nothing.
Worldly wealth is uncertain; often those who are filled with it, before they are aware, lose it again. God has many ways of making people poor. The righteous will rejoice. It will fully convince all those who deny Divine Providence.
When sinners see how justly God takes away the gifts they have abused, they will not have a word to say. It is very beneficial for us to be fully assured of God's goodness and to be properly affected by it. It is our wisdom to attend to our duty and to look to him for our comfort.
A truly wise person will treasure this delightful psalm in their heart. From it, they will fully understand the weakness and wretchedness of humankind, and the power and loving-kindness of God—not for our merit, but for his mercy's sake.
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