The big picture
Psalms 107 opens in verse 1 with “O give thanks unto the LORD , for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 22 with “And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with…”, and closes in verse 43 with “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, works, goodness, praise, soul. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 43Psalms 107:1-8
1–8: O give thanks unto the LORD , for he is good: for his mercy endureth for…
Psalms 107:1–8 opens with “O give thanks unto the LORD , for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” and reaches “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by LORD, city, redeemed.
Context that brings the passage to life
“O give thanks unto the LORD , for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” The line’s distinctive content terms include endureth, good, LORD. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.
“And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.” The line’s distinctive content terms include east, gathered, lands. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 107:1-8
King James Version1O give thanks unto the LORD , for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
4They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
8Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psalms 107:9-16
9–16: For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with…
Psalms 107:9–16 opens with “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” and reaches “For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by darkness, death, goodness.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Psalms 107:9-16
King James Version9For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
10Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
11Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
12Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
13Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
15Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
16For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
Psalms 107:17-24
17–24: Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities…
Psalms 107:17–24 opens with “Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.” and reaches “These see the works of the LORD , and his wonders in the deep.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by LORD, works, abhorreth.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.” Naming Fools keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.” The line’s distinctive content terms include distresses, LORD, saveth. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 107:17-24
King James Version17Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
18Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
19Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
20He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
21Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
22And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
23They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
24These see the works of the LORD , and his wonders in the deep.
Psalms 107:25-32
25–32: For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the…
Psalms 107:25–32 opens with “For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.” and reaches “Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by bringeth, LORD, praise.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.” The line’s distinctive content terms include drunken, reel, stagger. Its relationship to verses 26 and 28 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 107:25-32
King James Version25For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
27They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
28Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
30Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
31Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
32Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
Psalms 107:33-40
33–40: He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry…
Psalms 107:33–40 opens with “He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;” and reaches “He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by wilderness, dwell, ground.
Context that brings the passage to life
“He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;” The line’s distinctive content terms include ground, rivers, turneth. Its relationship to verses 34 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 107:33-40
King James Version33He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
34A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
36And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
37And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
38He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
39Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
40He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
Psalms 107:41-43
41–43: Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families…
Psalms 107:41–43 opens with “Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.” and reaches “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by affliction, families, flock.
Psalms 107:41-43
King James Version41Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
42The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD .
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 107:1 begins with “O give thanks unto the LORD , for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 107:19 forms a natural hinge: “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.”
The final note
Psalms 107:43 leaves the reader with “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD .”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, works, goodness, praise, soul, trouble help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.