Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 107:33-43
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 107:33-43
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 107:33-43
SCRIPTURE
"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.