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Commentary on Psalms 107 verses 10–16
We are to take notice of the goodness of God towards prisoners and captives. Observe, 1. A description of this affliction. Prisoners are said to sit in darkness (Psa 107:10), in dark dungeons, close prisons, which intimates that they are desolate and disconsolate; they sit in the shadow of death, which intimates not only great distress and trouble, but great danger. Prisoners are many times appointed to die; they sit despairing to get out, but resolving to make the best of it. They are bound in affliction, and many times in iron, as Joseph. Thus sore a calamity is imprisonment, which should make us prize liberty, and be thankful for it. 2. The cause of this affliction, Psa 107:11. It is because they rebelled against the words of God. Wilful sin is rebellion against the words of God; it is a contradiction to his truths and a violation of his laws. They contemned the counsel of the Most High, and thought they neither needed it nor could be the better for it; and those that will not be counselled cannot be helped. Those that despise prophesying, that regard not the admonitions of their own consciences nor the just reproofs of their friends, contemn the counsel of the Most High, and for this they are bound in affliction, both to punish them for and to reclaim them from their rebellions. 3. The design of this affliction, and that is to bring down their heart (Psa 107:12), to humble them for sin, to make them low in their own eyes, to cast down every high, proud, aspiring thought. Afflicting providences must be improved as humbling providences; and we not only lose the benefit of them, but thwart God's designs and walk contrary to him in them if our hearts be unhumbled and unbroken, as high and hard as ever under them. Is the estate brought down with labour, the honour sunk? Have those that exalted themselves fallen down, and is there none to help them? Let this bring down the spirit to confess sin, to accept the punishment of it, and humbly to sue for mercy and grace. 4. The duty of this afflicted state, and that is to pray (Psa 107:13): Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, though before perhaps they had neglected him. Prisoners have time to pray, who, when they were at liberty, could not find time; they see they have need of God's help, though formerly they thought they could do well enough without him. Sense will make men cry when they are in trouble, but grace will direct them to cry unto the Lord, from whom the affliction comes and who alone can remove it. 5. Their deliverance out of the affliction: They cried unto the Lord, and he saved them, Psa 107:13. He brought them out of darkness into light, welcome light, and then doubly sweet and pleasant, brought them out of the shadow of death to the comforts of life, and their liberty was to them life from the dead, Psa 107:14. Were they fettered? He broke their bands asunder. Were they imprisoned in strong castles? He broke the gates of brass and the bars of iron wherewith those gates were made fast; he did not put back, but cut in sunder. Note, When God will work deliverance the greatest difficulties that lie in the way shall be made nothing of. Gates of brass and bars of iron, as they cannot keep him out from him people (he was with Joseph in the prison), so they cannot keep them in when the time, the set-time, for their enlargement, comes. 6. The return that is required from those whose bands God has loosed (Psa 107:15): Let them praise the Lord for his goodness, and take occasion from their own experience of it, and share in it, to bless him for that goodness which the earth is full of, the world and those that dwell therein.
"Them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, fast bound in beggary and iron" [Psalm 107:10]. Whence this, but that you were attributing things to yourself? That you were not owning the grace of God? That you were rejecting the counsel of God [Luke 7:30] concerning you? For see what He adds: "Because they rebelled against the words of the Lord through pride" [Psalm 107:11], not knowing the righteousness of God, and wishing to establish their own, [Romans 10:3] "and they were bitter against the counsel of the Most High." "And their heart was brought low in labour" [Psalm 107:12]. And now fight against lust; if God cease to aid you may strive, you can not conquer. And when you shall be pressed by your evil, your heart will be brought low in labour, so that now with humbled heart you may learn to cry out, "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" [Romans 7:24] ...Freed, you will confess the mercies of the Lord. "And they cried unto the Lord when they were troubled, and He delivered them out of their distresses" [Psalm 107:13]. They were freed from the second temptation. There remains that of weariness and loathing. But first see what He did for them when freed. "And He led them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bonds asunder" [Psalm 107:14]. "Let them confess to the Lord His mercies, and His wonders to the children of men" [Psalm 107:15]. Wherefore? What difficulties has He overcome? "Because He broke the gates of brass, and snapped the bars of iron" [Psalm 107:16]. "He took them up from the way of their iniquity, for because of their unrighteousnesses they were brought low" [Psalm 107:17]. Because they gave honour to themselves, not to God, because they were establishing their own righteousness, not knowing the righteousness of God, [Romans 10:3] they were brought low. They found that they were helpless without His aid, who were presuming on their own strength alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 107:10 vividly portrays a state of profound human distress and severe captivity, depicting individuals trapped in a condition of utter hopelessness, spiritual blindness, and physical confinement. This verse serves as a poignant introduction to one of four distinct scenarios within Psalm 107 where desperate individuals, facing insurmountable odds, cry out to God and experience His miraculous, compassionate deliverance, thereby setting the stage for a celebration of divine goodness and enduring mercy that reverberates throughout the psalm.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalm 107 stands as a majestic psalm of thanksgiving, characterized by a recurring four-part structure that highlights God's redemptive work. It opens with a universal call to praise in Psalms 107:1 and then systematically presents four groups of people who find themselves in dire straits, cry out to the Lord, and are subsequently delivered. These groups include wanderers lost in the wilderness (Psalms 107:4-9), prisoners suffering oppression (Psalms 107:10-16), those afflicted by illness due to their sin (Psalms 107:17-22), and sailors imperiled by storms at sea (Psalms 107:23-32). Verse 10 specifically introduces the second group, those subjected to severe oppression and literal imprisonment, establishing their desperate condition before God's intervention is detailed in the subsequent verses. This structured repetition emphasizes God's consistent character as a deliverer.
Historical & Cultural Context: The imagery in Psalms 107:10 resonates deeply with the historical experiences of ancient Israel, particularly the trauma of exile and various forms of political or social oppression. Being "bound in affliction and iron" would have been a common reality for prisoners of war, debtors, or those enslaved. The concept of "darkness and the shadow of death" (Hebrew: choshek and tsalmaveth) evokes not only literal dungeons or places of confinement, often without light or hope, but also the profound psychological and spiritual despair associated with such conditions. In the ancient Near East, imprisonment often involved harsh physical restraints, unsanitary conditions, and a complete loss of freedom and hope, frequently leading to death. This verse likely reflects the collective memory of the Babylonian exile, where the people of God were indeed "bound" in a foreign land, experiencing spiritual and physical "darkness" far from their homeland and temple, a condition of profound national distress.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 107 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Profound Human Despair and Helplessness, portraying a condition from which self-deliverance is utterly impossible. The imagery of "sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death" evokes a sense of utter hopelessness, spiritual blindness, and being on the brink of destruction, echoing the lament found in Lamentations 3:6. Secondly, it highlights the theme of Physical and Spiritual Bondage. Being "bound in affliction and iron" suggests not only literal chains and imprisonment but also the heavy burden of suffering, slavery, and the spiritual captivity under sin or destructive patterns, a concept explored in Isaiah 61:1. This imagery emphasizes the severity and multifaceted nature of their predicament. Finally, and most crucially, it sets the stage for the overarching theme of The Absolute Necessity of Divine Intervention. The dire state described in Psalms 107:10 serves to magnify God's subsequent deliverance, demonstrating that only His power can free those who are utterly trapped, a truth consistently affirmed throughout the psalm, particularly in verses like Psalms 107:14.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 107:10 is rich in Imagery, creating a powerful visual and emotional landscape for the reader. The phrases "sit in darkness" and "shadow of death" evoke a sense of deep despair, hopelessness, and imminent peril, painting a picture of a soul trapped in a grim, lightless existence. The Metaphor of "shadow of death" extends beyond a literal shadow to represent a state of extreme danger, spiritual oppression, and the very presence of death itself. The phrase "bound in affliction and iron" employs Symbolism, where "iron" represents the unyielding, harsh, and seemingly unbreakable nature of their physical and spiritual chains. This is further amplified by Merism in "darkness and in the shadow of death," which combines two extreme conditions (lack of light and presence of death's threat) to encompass the full spectrum of their dire situation, from spiritual blindness to mortal danger. The verse's concise yet potent language serves to emphasize the severity of the human predicament, setting a stark contrast for the divine deliverance that follows.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 107:10 serves as a powerful testament to the universal human condition of being trapped—whether by external circumstances, internal struggles, or the pervasive power of sin. It highlights humanity's utter helplessness in the face of overwhelming adversity, emphasizing that certain forms of bondage are so severe that self-deliverance is impossible. Theologically, this verse underscores God's unique capacity as the ultimate Liberator, the one who sees into the deepest dungeons of human despair and has the power to break even the strongest chains. It sets the stage for the recurring theme in Psalm 107: "Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses," demonstrating that God's enduring mercy is extended precisely to those in the most desperate and hopeless situations. This verse ultimately points to the profound need for divine intervention in the lives of those who are truly captive, asserting that true freedom comes only from God.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 107:10 speaks directly to the human experience of feeling utterly trapped, whether by life's circumstances, the grip of addiction, the weight of despair, or the pervasive power of sin. It reminds us that there are moments in life when we find ourselves in a "darkness" so profound and a "shadow of death" so encompassing that escape seems impossible, and the "iron" of our affliction feels unbreakable. In such moments, this verse validates the depth of our pain and the reality of our helplessness. Yet, it also serves as a crucial preamble to the good news that follows in Psalm 107: God hears the cries of those in such dire straits. It encourages us to acknowledge our limitations and to turn, not inward or to futile human solutions, but outward and upward to the only One capable of breaking spiritual and physical chains. Our deepest need is met by God's boundless power and enduring mercy, urging us to cry out to Him in our own moments of captivity and despair, knowing He is the God of deliverance who delights in setting the captives free.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "shadow of death" refer to literal death or something else?
Answer: While "shadow of death" (Hebrew: tsalmaveth, H6757) can certainly imply the imminent threat of literal death, its meaning in biblical poetry is often broader and more evocative. It signifies a state of extreme peril, deep gloom, profound despair, or a situation so dire that it feels like being in the very presence or realm of death. It encompasses not just physical danger but also spiritual and emotional desolation, a living death where hope and light are absent. In Psalms 107:10, it speaks to the utter hopelessness and severe oppression experienced by the prisoners, a condition akin to being in a grave even while alive. This broader sense of overwhelming despair is common in wisdom literature and psalms, such as in Job 3:5 or Psalms 23:4.
Is the "binding in affliction and iron" always a literal physical imprisonment?
Answer: While the imagery of "iron" (H1270, barzel) strongly suggests literal physical chains and imprisonment, the phrase "bound in affliction" (H6040, ʻŏnîy) broadens the scope. "Affliction" refers to suffering, misery, or oppression, which can be physical, emotional, or spiritual. Therefore, while literal imprisonment is certainly in view, the verse also speaks metaphorically to any severe state of bondage from which one cannot escape by their own power. This could include the chains of sin, addiction, overwhelming grief, chronic illness, or oppressive circumstances that hold one captive, preventing freedom and flourishing. The psalm's broader narrative of deliverance from various forms of distress supports this wider interpretation, as seen in the deliverance from sickness due to sin in Psalms 107:17-20.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, apart from Christ, is universally "such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death," bound not merely by physical chains but by the far more pervasive and destructive "affliction and iron" of sin and spiritual death. As Romans 3:23 declares, all have fallen short, and this spiritual bondage leads to a state of hopelessness and separation from God. Jesus, however, is revealed as the true Light of the World, who came to dispel this spiritual darkness. John 8:12 proclaims, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." His mission, as prophesied in Isaiah 61:1 and echoed in His inaugural sermon in Luke 4:18, was precisely "to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised." Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Christ broke the ultimate chains of sin and death, delivering us from the domain of darkness and transferring us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, as celebrated in Colossians 1:13-14. Thus, the desperate cry of those in Psalms 107:10 is ultimately answered in the liberating power and illuminating grace of Jesus Christ, who alone can bring us out of spiritual darkness and the shadow of death into His marvelous light.