Psalms 107

Psalms 107

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 · 43

Psalms 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.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “O give thanks unto the LORD , for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” By verse 4, the text has turned to “They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.” It lands on “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse with a speech marker, 4 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice carry the argument. Wise guidance is richer than a mechanical promise. Words such as LORD, city, redeemed, children, cried, delivered tie the complete block together. The central idea, “the wording and movement of this passage,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Hungry. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 6: “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: LORD, city, redeemed, children, cried, delivered

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Psalms 107:1

    “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.

  2. Psalms 107:2

    “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” The line’s distinctive content terms include redeemed, enemy, hand. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

  3. Psalms 107:3

    “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.

  4. Psalms 107:4

    “They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.” The line’s distinctive content terms include city, dwell, solitary. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. Psalms 107:5

    “Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.” Naming Hungry keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  6. Psalms 107:6

    “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.” The line’s distinctive content terms include cried, delivered, distresses. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

  7. Psalms 107:7

    “And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.” The line’s distinctive content terms include city, habitation, right. Its relationship to verses 6 and 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

  8. Psalms 107:8

    “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” The line’s distinctive content terms include children, goodness, LORD. Its relationship to verses 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

Psalms 107:1-8

King James Version

1O 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.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” By verse 12, the text has turned to “Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to…” It lands on “For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse with a speech marker, 3 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice carry the argument. Wise guidance is richer than a mechanical promise. Words such as darkness, death, goodness, iron, LORD, shadow tie the complete block together. The central idea, “the wording and movement of this passage,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Because, God, High, Such. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 12: “Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: darkness, death, goodness, iron, LORD, shadow

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Psalms 107:9

    “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.

  2. Psalms 107:10

    “Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;” Naming Such keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  3. Psalms 107:11

    “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.

  4. Psalms 107:12

    “Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

  5. Psalms 107:13

    “Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.” The line’s distinctive content terms include cried, distresses, LORD. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

  6. Psalms 107:14

    “He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bands, brake, darkness. Its relationship to verses 13 and 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

  7. Psalms 107:15

    “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” The line’s distinctive content terms include children, goodness, LORD. Its relationship to verses 14 and 16 shows what work it does in this passage.

  8. Psalms 107:16

    “For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.” 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 Version

9For 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.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.” By verse 20, the text has turned to “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” It lands on “These see the works of the LORD , and his wonders in the deep.” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 3 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice carry the argument. Wise guidance is richer than a mechanical promise. Words such as LORD, works, abhorreth, afflicted, business, children tie the complete block together. The central idea, “the wording and movement of this passage,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Fools, Their. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 19: “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: LORD, works, abhorreth, afflicted, business, children

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Psalms 107:17

    “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.

  2. Psalms 107:18

    “Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.” Naming Their keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  3. Psalms 107:19

    “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.

  4. Psalms 107:20

    “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” The line’s distinctive content terms include delivered, destructions, healed. Its relationship to verses 19 and 21 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. Psalms 107:21

    “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” The line’s distinctive content terms include children, goodness, LORD. Its relationship to verses 20 and 22 shows what work it does in this passage.

  6. Psalms 107:22

    “And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.” The line’s distinctive content terms include declare, rejoicing, sacrifice. Its relationship to verses 21 and 23 shows what work it does in this passage.

  7. Psalms 107:23

    “They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;” The line’s distinctive content terms include business, ships, waters. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.

  8. Psalms 107:24

    “These see the works of the LORD , and his wonders in the deep.” The line’s distinctive content terms include deep, LORD, wonders. Its relationship to verses 23 shows what work it does in this passage.

Psalms 107:17-24

King James Version

17Fools 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.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.” By verse 28, the text has turned to “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.” It lands on “Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 2 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice carry the argument. Wise guidance is richer than a mechanical promise. Words such as bringeth, LORD, praise, trouble, waves, assembly tie the complete block together. The central idea, “the wording and movement of this passage,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include bringeth, LORD, praise, trouble, waves. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 28: “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: bringeth, LORD, praise, trouble, waves, assembly

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Psalms 107:25

    “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.

  2. Psalms 107:26

    “They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.” The line’s distinctive content terms include depths, heaven, melted. Its relationship to verses 25 and 27 shows what work it does in this passage.

  3. Psalms 107:27

    “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.

  4. Psalms 107:28

    “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bringeth, distresses, LORD. Its relationship to verses 27 and 29 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. Psalms 107:29

    “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.” The line’s distinctive content terms include calm, maketh, still. Its relationship to verses 28 and 30 shows what work it does in this passage.

  6. Psalms 107:30

    “Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bringeth, desired, glad. Its relationship to verses 29 and 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

  7. Psalms 107:31

    “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” The line’s distinctive content terms include children, goodness, LORD. Its relationship to verses 30 and 32 shows what work it does in this passage.

  8. Psalms 107:32

    “Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.” The line’s distinctive content terms include assembly, congregation, elders. Its relationship to verses 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

Psalms 107:25-32

King James Version

25For 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.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;” By verse 36, the text has turned to “And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;” It lands on “He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. Its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and consequences reveal how the thought develops before any interpretation is added.

Speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice carry the argument. Wise guidance is richer than a mechanical promise. Words such as wilderness, dwell, ground, turneth, watersprings, affliction tie the complete block together. The central idea, “the wording and movement of this passage,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Again. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 36: “And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: wilderness, dwell, ground, turneth, watersprings, affliction

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Psalms 107:33

    “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.

  2. Psalms 107:34

    “A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.” The line’s distinctive content terms include barrenness, dwell, fruitful. Its relationship to verses 33 and 35 shows what work it does in this passage.

  3. Psalms 107:35

    “He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.” The line’s distinctive content terms include ground, standing, turneth. Its relationship to verses 34 and 36 shows what work it does in this passage.

  4. Psalms 107:36

    “And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;” The line’s distinctive content terms include city, dwell, habitation. Its relationship to verses 35 and 37 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. Psalms 107:37

    “And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.” The line’s distinctive content terms include fields, fruits, increase. Its relationship to verses 36 and 38 shows what work it does in this passage.

  6. Psalms 107:38

    “He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.” The line’s distinctive content terms include blesseth, cattle, decrease. Its relationship to verses 37 and 39 shows what work it does in this passage.

  7. Psalms 107:39

    “Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.” Naming Again keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  8. Psalms 107:40

    “He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.” The line’s distinctive content terms include causeth, contempt, poureth. Its relationship to verses 39 shows what work it does in this passage.

Psalms 107:33-40

King James Version

33He 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.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.” By verse 42, the text has turned to “The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.” It lands on “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 stated contrast, 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Speaker, parallel lines, images, emotional movement, and changes in voice carry the argument. Wise guidance is richer than a mechanical promise. Words such as affliction, families, flock, high, iniquity, LORD tie the complete block together. The central idea, “the wording and movement of this passage,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Whoso, Yet. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 42: “The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: affliction, families, flock, high, iniquity, LORD

Verse-by-verse path

  1. Psalms 107:41

    “Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.” Naming Yet keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  2. Psalms 107:42

    “The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  3. Psalms 107:43

    “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD .” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Psalms 107:41-43

King James Version

41Yet 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 .

Questions to keep in mind while reading

  1. Follow the speaker, images, parallel lines, questions, and emotional movement.
  2. Notice where tension or suffering resists an easy answer.
  3. Read a saying as wisdom for faithful discernment, not as a mechanical promise detached from context.

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.

Questions beneath the surface

  1. What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from Psalms 107?
  2. Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
  3. What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
  4. Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?

Questions for serious personal contemplation

These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.

Observe without rushing

  1. What part of Psalms 107 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?

  2. Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?

  3. Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: Psalms 107:1–43 completes a passage that was not covered by the original study-unit map. Its own wording and immediate context supply the focus.?

  4. What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?

Examine your inner life honestly

  1. Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?

  2. What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?

  3. Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?

  4. If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?

Respond with wisdom and courage

  1. What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?

  2. How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?

  3. What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?

  4. What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?