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Psalm 107

ScriptureDepth's study of Psalm 107

“Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses,”

Psalms 107:6

The psalmist recounts how the redeemed call out in their trouble, illustrating how their cries lead to Yahweh's deliverance from their 'distresses' throughout the chapter.

What Psalm 107 is about

The psalmist calls for thanksgiving to Yahweh for his goodness and enduring loving kindness (vv. 1-3). Those redeemed by Yahweh recognize his work in gathering them from all directions and delivering them from the wilderness, where they had no city to dwell in, feeling hungry and thirsty (vv. 4-9). Some suffer from darkness and chains due to rebellion against God's word, yet they cry out and are saved (vv. 10-15). Fools are afflicted by their iniquities, but they too cry out and receive healing and deliverance from death (vv. 16-20). Yahweh calms the storm for those at sea, restoring peace and bringing them safely to their desired haven (vv. 21-30). The psalmist praises God's goodness and the way he lifts the needy while bringing down the wicked (vv. 31-42). Those who are wise will consider Yahweh's loving kindnesses (v. 43).

Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things and consider the loving kindnesses of Yahweh.

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Psalm 107 at a glance

  1. Psalm 107:1–3Call to Thanksgiving
  2. Psalm 107:4–9Deliverance from Wilderness
  3. Psalm 107:10–15Rescue from Darkness and Chains
  4. Psalm 107:16–20Healing and Deliverance from Death
  5. Psalm 107:21–30Calm after the Storm
  6. Psalm 107:31–42Praise for God's Goodness
  7. Psalm 107:43Wisdom in Reflection

Key verse: Psalms 107:6

One thing to notice

Verses 4-9, 10-15, 16-20, and 21-30 describe scenarios of distress followed by how Yahweh provides rescue or healing. Forms of suffering include wandering, darkness, affliction, and storms, with divine intervention culminating in blessings and praise.

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

Read Psalm 107 (WEB)

Call to Thanksgiving Psalm 107:1–3

Verse 1. Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,for his loving kindness endures forever.Verse 2. Let the redeemed by Yahweh say so,whom he has redeemed from the hand of the adversary,Verse 3. And gathered out of the lands,from the east and from the west,from the north and from the south.

Deliverance from Wilderness Psalm 107:4–9

Verse 4. They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way.They found no city to live in.Verse 5. Hungry and thirsty,their soul fainted in them.Verse 6. Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble,and he delivered them out of their distresses,Verse 7. he led them also by a straight way,that they might go to a city to live in.Verse 8. Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness,for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!Verse 9. For he satisfies the longing soul.He fills the hungry soul with good.

Rescue from Darkness and Chains Psalm 107:10–15

Verse 10. Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,being bound in affliction and iron,Verse 11. because they rebelled against the words of God,and condemned the counsel of the Most High.Verse 12. Therefore he brought down their heart with labor.They fell down, and there was no one to help.Verse 13. Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble,and he saved them out of their distresses.Verse 14. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,and broke away their chains.Verse 15. Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness,for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!

Healing and Deliverance from Death Psalm 107:16–20

Verse 16. For he has broken the gates of brass,and cut through bars of iron.Verse 17. Fools are afflicted because of their disobedience,and because of their iniquities.Verse 18. Their soul abhors all kinds of food.They draw near to the gates of death.Verse 19. Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble,he saves them out of their distresses.Verse 20. He sends his word, and heals them,and delivers them from their graves.

Calm after the Storm Psalm 107:21–30

Verse 21. Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness,for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!Verse 22. Let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving,and declare his deeds with singing.Verse 23. Those who go down to the sea in ships,who do business in great waters;Verse 24. These see Yahweh’s deeds,and his wonders in the deep.Verse 25. For he commands, and raises the stormy wind,which lifts up its waves.Verse 26. They mount up to the sky; they go down again to the depths.Their soul melts away because of trouble.Verse 27. They reel back and forth, and stagger like a drunken man,and are at their wits’ end.Verse 28. Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble,and he brings them out of their distress.Verse 29. He makes the storm a calm,so that its waves are still.Verse 30. Then they are glad because it is calm,so he brings them to their desired haven.

Praise for God's Goodness Psalm 107:31–42

Verse 31. Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness,for his wonderful deeds for the children of men!Verse 32. Let them exalt him also in the assembly of the people,and praise him in the seat of the elders.Verse 33. He turns rivers into a desert,water springs into a thirsty ground,Verse 34. and a fruitful land into a salt waste,for the wickedness of those who dwell in it.Verse 35. He turns a desert into a pool of water,and a dry land into water springs.Verse 36. There he makes the hungry live,that they may prepare a city to live in,Verse 37. sow fields, plant vineyards,and reap the fruits of increase.Verse 38. He blesses them also, so that they are multiplied greatly.He doesn’t allow their livestock to decrease.Verse 39. Again, they are diminished and bowed downthrough oppression, trouble, and sorrow.Verse 40. He pours contempt on princes,and causes them to wander in a trackless waste.Verse 41. Yet he lifts the needy out of their affliction,and increases their families like a flock.Verse 42. The upright will see it, and be glad.All the wicked will shut their mouths.

Wisdom in Reflection Psalm 107:43

Verse 43. Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things.They will consider the loving kindnesses of Yahweh.

World English Bible (public domain)

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Main themes in Psalm 107

God's Steadfast Love

This chapter begins with a call to give thanks to Yahweh for his goodness and enduring loving kindness (vv. 1-2). It recounts how God delivers those who have been redeemed from various troubles, emphasizing that his loving kindness 'endures forever' (v. 1). In multiple instances, the psalmist calls for praise from those who have experienced God’s steadfast love in their lives, particularly after their deliverance.

Deliverance

Deliverance appears throughout the chapter as people cry out to Yahweh in their distress (vv. 6, 13, 19, 28). For example, those wandering in the wilderness find help as 'he led them also by a straight way' (v. 7) to a city, while prisoners in darkness are freed from their chains (vv. 14-15). These narratives illustrate various situations of need, showing how God responds with rescue and restoration.

Praise and Thanksgiving

Praise and thanksgiving are central to the structure of Psalm 107, with calls to 'Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness' repeated throughout (vv. 8, 15, 21, 31). The psalmist urges the redeemed to declare God’s deeds with songs and thanksgiving (v. 22). This theme is a response to the acts of deliverance and healing, serving as a communal acknowledgment of God’s goodness.

Divine Intervention

Divine intervention is depicted through God's active role in both natural and personal crises (vv. 25-29). He commands storms and calms them, leading sailors to safety, which illustrates his control over creation. Additionally, he delivers those suffering from affliction and illness, sending his word to heal them (vv. 20-21), demonstrating that God's intervention is comprehensive and immediate.

Chapter outline

How Psalm 107 unfolds

  1. Psalm 107:1–3 Call to Thanksgiving

    The psalm commands to 'give thanks to Yahweh' for his goodness and enduring 'loving kindness' (v. 1), calling the redeemed to declare their deliverance from the adversary (vv. 2-3).

  2. Psalm 107:4–9 Deliverance from Wilderness

    Those who wandered in the wilderness experienced hunger and thirst (vv. 4-5). Their cry to Yahweh in distress led to his deliverance and guidance to a city where they could dwell (vv. 6-7).

  3. Psalm 107:10–15 Rescue from Darkness and Chains

    Some were in darkness due to their rebellion against God's word, facing hardship and despair (vv. 10-12). When they cried to Yahweh, he rescued them, bringing them out of darkness and breaking their chains (vv. 13-15).

  4. Psalm 107:16–20 Healing and Deliverance from Death

    Fools suffer from their disobedience, nearing death and abominating food (vv. 17-18). They cry to Yahweh in distress, who sends his word to heal and deliver them from death (vv. 19-20).

  5. Psalm 107:21–30 Calm after the Storm

    Sailors face a threatening storm at sea (vv. 23-26). In their trouble, they cry to Yahweh, who calms the storm and leads them to their desired haven (vv. 27-30).

  6. Psalm 107:31–42 Praise for God's Goodness

    Yahweh has power over nature, turning rivers into deserts and bringing life to barren lands (vv. 33-35). He provides for the needy, enabling them to thrive and grow (vv. 36-38).

  7. Psalm 107:43 Wisdom in Reflection

    The wise are called to 'pay attention to these things' and consider the 'loving kindnesses of Yahweh' (v. 43).

Key verses

  • Psalms 107:6The psalmist recounts how the redeemed call out in their trouble, illustrating how their cries lead to Yahweh's deliverance from their 'distresses' throughout the chapter.

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Study questions

Questions for studying Psalm 107

SummarizeObserveInterpretApply

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v6, why does the psalmist say the distressed 'cried to Yahweh'?
  2. observeWhat does the psalmist describe in vv. 25-26 about the stormy waves?
  3. interpretThe phrase 'he led them also by a straight way' in v7: what does this imply about God's guidance?
  4. interpretThe word 'fools' in v17: how does this label change our understanding of their affliction?
  5. applyWhat does it mean to praise Yahweh for his loving kindness as mentioned in vv. 15 and 21?

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Psalm 107: frequently asked questions

What is Psalm 107 about?+
The psalmist calls for thanksgiving to Yahweh for his goodness and enduring loving kindness (vv. 1-3).
What is the key verse in Psalm 107?+
Psalms 107:6: “Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses,”
What are the main themes of Psalm 107?+
The main themes of Psalm 107 are God's Steadfast Love, Deliverance, Praise and Thanksgiving, Divine Intervention.

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Study Notes