King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, [where there is] no way.
Complete Jewish Bible:
he pours contempt on princes and leaves them to wander in trackless wastes.
Berean Standard Bible:
He pours out contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.
American Standard Version:
He poureth contempt upon princes, And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
He poureth{H8210} contempt{H937} upon princes{H5081}, and causeth them to wander{H8582} in the wilderness{H8414}, where there is no way{H1870}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Job 12:24
- He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness [where there is] no way.
Job 12:21
- He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.
Daniel 4:33
- The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' [feathers], and his nails like birds' [claws].
Isaiah 23:8
- Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning [city], whose merchants [are] princes, whose traffickers [are] the honourable of the earth?
Isaiah 23:9
- The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, [and] to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.
Judges 4:21
- Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.
Judges 1:6
- But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.
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Commentary for Psalms 107:40
Psalm 107:40 is part of a larger psalm that recounts the steadfast love and wonderful works of God, particularly in delivering His people from various forms of distress. The verse reflects a theme common in the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible, where the mighty and the humble are subject to the divine will. In this verse, the psalmist speaks of God's sovereignty over human authorities, emphasizing that He can humble the proud and powerful—symbolized here as "princes."
The imagery of pouring "contempt upon princes" conveys God's ability to diminish the status and dignity of those in high positions, reminding us that human power is limited and ultimately answerable to the divine. The phrase "causeth them to wander in the wilderness, [where there is] no way" suggests a state of disorientation and vulnerability, often experienced by the Israelites in their history when they were led through the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. This wilderness motif is recurrent in the Bible, symbolizing a place of testing, judgment, and potential transformation.
Historically, this verse would resonate with the experiences of the Israelites, who understood the wilderness as a place where their ancestors were humbled and learned to trust in God's provision and guidance. It serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of human power and the enduring reality of God's authority over all creation. The message is one of humility and trust, calling on readers to recognize God's hand in the rise and fall of nations and leaders, and to rely on His wisdom and direction in their own lives.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H8210
There are 111 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁפַךְ
Transliteration: shâphak
Pronunciation: shaw-fak'
Description: a primitive root; to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc.); intensively, to sprawl out; cast (up), gush out, pour (out), shed(-der, out), slip. - Strong's Number: H937
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוּז
Transliteration: bûwz
Pronunciation: booz
Description: from בּוּז; disrespect; contempt(-uously), despised, shamed. - Strong's Number: H5081
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָדִיב
Transliteration: nâdîyb
Pronunciation: naw-deeb'
Description: from נָדַב; properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant); free, liberal (things), noble, prince, willing (hearted). - Strong's Number: H8582
There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּעָה
Transliteration: tâʻâh
Pronunciation: taw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both; (cause to) go astray, deceive, dissemble, (cause to, make to) err, pant, seduce, (make to) stagger, (cause to) wander, be out of the way. - Strong's Number: H8414
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תֹּהוּ
Transliteration: tôhûw
Pronunciation: to'-hoo
Description: from an unused root meaning to lie waste; a desolation (of surface), i.e. desert; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain; confusion, empty place, without form, nothing, (thing of) nought, vain, vanity, waste, wilderness. - Strong's Number: H1870
There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
Transliteration: derek
Pronunciation: deh'-rek
Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever).