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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 107:13 serves as a profound declaration of divine responsiveness, encapsulating a pivotal moment within the psalm's broader narrative of God's steadfast love and redemptive power. It illustrates a consistent pattern of human desperation met by God's unfailing intervention, where individuals, having exhausted all other options, turn to the Lord in their affliction and are miraculously delivered from their overwhelming predicaments. This verse encapsulates the psalm's central message: God hears the cries of His people and acts decisively to save them from their deepest troubles.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalms 107 is a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving, structured around a recurring refrain that highlights God's enduring mercy and His wonderful works. The psalm recounts four distinct groups who experience dire circumstances and subsequent divine rescue: wanderers lost in the wilderness (verses 4-9), prisoners bound in affliction and iron (verses 10-16), those afflicted by their own sin (verses 17-22), and mariners caught in a storm (verses 23-32). Each narrative arc follows a consistent pattern: trouble arises, people cry out to the Lord, He delivers them, and they are called to give thanks. Verse 13 specifically falls within the second narrative, detailing the plight of those imprisoned due to their rebellion against God's words and despising His counsel, as described in Psalms 107:10-12. This verse, along with Psalms 107:6, Psalms 107:19, and Psalms 107:28, forms the central refrain, emphasizing the consistent efficacy of crying out to the Lord.
Historical & Cultural Context: While Psalms 107 does not specify a single historical event, its themes resonate deeply with the collective experiences of the Israelite people, particularly their history of exile and return. The "wanderers" could represent the journey through the wilderness or the dispersion during exile. The "prisoners" might allude to the Babylonian captivity, where the people were bound in affliction and iron, suffering the consequences of their disobedience (compare Jeremiah 52:11). The "afflicted by sin" reflects the covenant curses for disobedience, while the "mariners" symbolize the dangers and uncertainties of life and the profound need for divine guidance. The psalm likely served as a liturgical piece, perhaps sung during festivals of thanksgiving, designed to remind the community of God's faithfulness throughout their tumultuous history and to encourage continued reliance on Him. It underscores the cultural understanding that national and individual distress often stemmed from rebellion against God, and deliverance came through humble repentance and supplication.
Key Themes: Psalms 107:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of Divine Responsiveness to Prayer, powerfully demonstrating that God is not a distant deity but one who hears and acts upon the desperate cries of His people, regardless of their past transgressions. This ties into the theme of God's Steadfast Love (Hesed), highlighted in Psalms 107:1, which is the foundational attribute for His willingness to rescue. The verse also emphasizes Deliverance from Trouble, showcasing God's sovereign power to extricate individuals from seemingly inescapable predicaments, whether physical, spiritual, or emotional. Finally, it reinforces the Consequences of Disobedience (as seen in the preceding verses for each group) and the Redemptive Power of Repentance and Supplication, illustrating that even in the midst of self-inflicted suffering, a turning to the Lord elicits His saving grace.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 107:13 employs several potent literary devices that enhance its impact and message. The most prominent is Refrain, as this verse is a near-identical repetition of a phrase that appears four times in the psalm (compare Psalms 107:6, Psalms 107:13, Psalms 107:19, and Psalms 107:28). This repetition emphasizes the consistent pattern of human need met by divine deliverance, reinforcing the psalm's central theological point about God's unwavering responsiveness and faithfulness. Parallelism is also evident in the structure of the verse, where "cried unto the LORD in their trouble" is directly followed by "he saved them out of their distresses." This creates a powerful cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting the immediate and direct consequence of sincere supplication. Furthermore, the use of vivid, concrete terms like "trouble" (Hebrew: tsar, meaning "narrow") and "distresses" (Hebrew: mᵉtsûwqâh, meaning "narrowness" or "tight places") employs powerful Imagery, allowing the reader to visualize the dire circumstances from which God delivers. This imagery evokes a sense of being trapped and oppressed, making God's act of salvation all the more profound and miraculous.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 107:13 powerfully encapsulates the biblical truth that God is intimately involved in the lives of His people, not as a distant observer but as an active rescuer. It underscores the profound theological principle that humanity's cry of desperation is met by divine compassion and power. This verse reinforces the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where His steadfast love (hesed) compels Him to respond to their need, even when their suffering is a consequence of their own rebellion. It serves as a testament to the efficacy of prayer, presenting it not merely as a spiritual exercise but as a direct channel for divine intervention. The consistent pattern across the psalm's narratives highlights God's character as a faithful deliverer, ever ready to save those who turn to Him in humility and dependence.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 107:13 offers profound encouragement and a vital spiritual lesson for believers across all generations. It reminds us that no matter the depth of our trouble, the severity of our distress, or even the self-inflicted nature of our predicament, God remains accessible, compassionate, and powerful to deliver. When we find ourselves in "tight places"—whether financial hardship, relational brokenness, spiritual bondage, overwhelming anxiety, or profound grief—this verse calls us to move beyond despair or self-reliance and to actively, urgently cry out to the Lord. It assures us that such a plea does not fall on deaf ears but activates the very nature of God as a rescuer and redeemer. This isn't a call to superficial prayer, but to a heartfelt, desperate turning that acknowledges our complete dependence on Him. Cultivating this habit of immediate and earnest supplication in every challenge not only brings divine intervention but also deepens our trust and strengthens our faith in God's enduring faithfulness. It also serves as a powerful reminder to pause and give thanks for the countless times God has already delivered us, reinforcing our confidence in His future interventions.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "cried unto the LORD" imply a specific type of prayer, like a loud or public one?
Answer: While the Hebrew word zâʻaq (H2199) often implies an urgent, sometimes loud, shout for help, it doesn't necessarily dictate a specific volume or public setting. Rather, it emphasizes the intensity and desperation of the plea. It's a cry born out of deep distress, signifying a recognition of utter dependence on God when all other resources have failed. Whether whispered in a closet or shouted in anguish, the essence is a heartfelt, urgent appeal to the Lord, as seen in various biblical accounts of individuals crying out to God in their affliction (e.g., Jonah 2:2 or Exodus 2:23). The focus is on the sincerity and desperation of the heart, not merely the outward expression.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:13, with its recurring theme of crying out in distress and God's subsequent deliverance, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "troubles" and "distresses" from which God saves are not merely physical or temporal; they point to the deepest human predicament: sin and its consequence, spiritual death. Humanity, imprisoned by sin and bound in spiritual darkness (compare Colossians 1:13), is utterly helpless and without recourse. It is in this ultimate distress that the cry for salvation is met by the Lamb of God. Jesus, the ultimate deliverer, came to "proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound" (Isaiah 61:1 as quoted in Luke 4:18). His sacrifice on the cross is the definitive act of God "saving them out of their distresses," providing not just temporary relief but eternal salvation from the power and penalty of sin. When we "cry out" to Jesus in faith, acknowledging our lostness and His Lordship, He delivers us from the ultimate distress of eternal separation from God, granting us new life and freedom (compare Romans 10:9-10). Thus, the pattern of distress, cry, and deliverance in Psalms 107:13 foreshadows the glorious and complete redemption offered through Christ, the Savior of the world.