Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 107:1-9

"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.