Psalms 107:1-43
[A.M. 3468. B.C. 536. (Title.)]
The author of this Psalm is unknown; but it was evidently written to commemorate the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity; and it may easily be perceived that it must have been sung in alternate parts, having a double burden, or two intercalary verses often recurring. Bp. Lowth considers it as written "after the method of the ancient pastorals, where, be the subject of their verse what it will, each swain endeavours to excel the other; and one may perceive their thoughts and expressions gradually to rise upon each other." "No doubt," he adds, "the composition of this Psalm is admirable throughout; and the descriptive part of it adds at least its share of beauty to the whole; but what is most to be admired is its conciseness, and withal the expressiveness of the diction, which strikes the imagination with illimitable elegance. The weary and bewildered traveller--the miserable captive in the dungeon--the sick and dying man--the seaman foundering in a storm--are described in so affecting a manner, that they far exceed any thing of the kind, though never so much laboured."
Give thanks <03034> [Give.]
good <02896> [good.]
loyal love <02617> [for his mercy.]
delivered .......... delivered <01350> [Let the.]
power <03027> [from.]
gathered <06908> [gathered.]
south <03220> [south. Heb. sea.]
wandered <08582> [wandered.]
found <04672> [they found.]
This is the first similitude; in which the Israelites in captivity are compared to travellers in a dreary, uninhabited, and barren desert, spent with hunger and thirst, as well as by the fatigues of the journey.
cried out <06817> [Then.]
delivered <05337> [he delivered.]
level <01869> [he led.]
<03212> [that they.]
give thanks <03034> [Oh that men.]
give thanks <03034> [praise.]
amazing <06381> [his wonderful.]
sat <03427> [Such.]
Here begins the second comparison; in which the state of the captives in Babylon is illustrated by that of prisoners in a dreary dungeon.
sat <03427> [as sit.]
bound <0615> [bound.]
rebelled <04784> [Because.]
rejected <05006> [contemned.]
humble <03665> [he brought.]
helped <05826> [and there.]
brought ... out <03318> [brought.]
tore off <05423> [brake.]
fools <0191> [Fools.]
This is the third comparison; the captives being compared to persons in a dangerous malady, as the consequences of their own sins.
ways ....... sins <01870 05771> [because.]
lost ......... drew near <08581> [abhorreth.]
drew <05060> [and they.]
sent <07971> [He sent.]
healed <07495> [healed.]
rescued <04422> [delivered.]
present <02076> [sacrifice.]
proclaim <05608> [declare.]
loudly <07440> [rejoicing. Heb. singing.]
traveled <03381> [They.]
This is the fourth comparison; their captivity was as dangerous and alarming as a dreadful tempest at sea; with a most natural and striking description of which we are here presented.
traveled <03381> [go down.]
amazing <06381> [his wonders.]
gave the order <0559> [he commandeth.]
<05975> [raiseth. Heb. maketh to stand. lifteth.]
sailors <05315> [their soul.]
staggered <05128> [stagger.]
[are at their wit's end. Heb. all their wisdom is swallowed up.]
led <05148> [he bringeth.]
give thanks <03034> [Oh that men.]
amazing <06381> [his wonderful.]
exalt <07311> [exalt.]
assembly <06951> [in the congregation.]
turned <07760> [turneth.]
water <04325> [water-springs.]
fruitful <06529> [a fruitful.]
barren <04420> [barrenness. Heb. saltness.]
turned <07760> [turneth.]
hungry <07457> [there he.]
city <05892> [a city.]
cultivated <02232> [sow.]
yielded <06213> [which may.]
blessed <01288> [He blesseth.]
decrease <04591> [suffereth.]
their <04591> [Again.]
The incidents detailed in these verses, which frequently occur, and mark the superintendence of a benign Providence, and the hand of a just God, appear to be brought forward to illustrate the return of the Israelites from captivity, and the punishment of their oppressors the Babylonians. Wherefore, at last, as in a common chorus, they conclude with exhorting each other to a serious consideration of these things, and to make a proper return to the Almighty.
their <04591> [they are.]
decreased <06115> [oppression.]
pour <08210> [poureth.]
contempt <0937> [contempt.]
wander <08582> [causeth.]
wasteland <08414> [wilderness. or, void place.]
needy <034> [setteth.]
oppression <06040> [from. or, after. maketh.]
godly <03477> [righteous.]
sinner <05766> [iniquity.]
wise <02450> [is wise.]
consider <0995> [they shall understand.]
