Psalms 107:10

KJV

¶ Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, [being] bound in affliction and iron;

KJV (with Strong's)

Such as sit {H3427} in darkness {H2822} and in the shadow of death {H6757}, being bound {H615} in affliction {H6040} and iron {H1270};

Complete Jewish Bible

Some lived in darkness, in death-dark gloom, bound in misery and iron chains,

Berean Standard Bible

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains,

American Standard Version

Such as sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Being bound in affliction and iron,

Commentary

### 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.

### 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](/psalms/107-1 "Psalms 107:1 - Call to Thanksgiving") 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](/psalms/107-4 "Psalms 107:4-9 - Deliverance from Wandering")), prisoners suffering oppression ([Psalms 107:10-16](/psalms/107-10 "Psalms 107:10-16 - Deliverance from Imprisonment")), those afflicted by illness due to their sin ([Psalms 107:17-22](/psalms/107-17 "Psalms 107:17-22 - Deliverance from Sickness")), and sailors imperiled by storms at sea ([Psalms 107:23-32](/psalms/107-23 "Psalms 107:23-32 - Deliverance from Storms")). 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.

* **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 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.

* **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](/lamentations/3-6 "Lamentations 3:6 - Sitting in Darkness"). 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](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - Release from Captivity"). 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](/psalms/107-10 "Psalms 107:10 - Bound in Darkness") 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](/psalms/107-14 "Psalms 107:14 - God Delivers from Darkness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Darkness (Hebrew, _choshek'_):** This term extends beyond mere absence of light to signify distress, misery, sorrow, spiritual ignorance, and even death. In a theological context, darkness often represents a state of alienation from God or divine favor, a place of moral and spiritual confusion, or a condition of judgment. Its use here emphasizes the profound, multi-layered nature of the suffering experienced by those depicted.
* **Shadow of Death (Hebrew, _tsalmaveth'_):** This is a highly evocative and intense term, appearing in only a few places in the Old Testament (e.g., [Job 3:5](/job/3-5 "Job 3:5 - Shadow of Death"), [Psalms 23:4](/psalms/23-4 "Psalms 23:4 - Valley of the Shadow of Death")). It denotes extreme peril, deep gloom, or a place where death's presence is palpable and imminent. It suggests a situation of mortal danger and utter despair, where one feels as though they are already in the realm of the deceased or under its oppressive influence.
* **Iron (Hebrew, _barzel'_):** While literally referring to the metal used for chains and shackles, "iron" here powerfully symbolizes an unbreakable, harsh, and unyielding captivity. It speaks to the strength and permanence of the bonds, implying that human effort alone is utterly insufficient to break free from such a severe predicament.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death":** This clause paints a vivid picture of individuals who are not merely passing through darkness but are "sitting" in it, implying a settled, prolonged, and inescapable state. The combination of "darkness" (_choshek_) and "shadow of death" (_tsalmaveth_) intensifies the imagery, suggesting a condition of profound despair, spiritual blindness, and being on the very brink of destruction or already experiencing a living death. It speaks to both physical confinement in dark dungeons and the existential hopelessness that accompanies such a state.
* **"[being] bound in affliction and iron":** This second clause specifies the nature of their captivity. "Bound" indicates a lack of freedom, while "affliction" (_oni_) refers to suffering, misery, or oppression. The addition of "iron" emphasizes the severity and literal nature of their chains, symbolizing an unyielding, harsh, and seemingly unbreakable physical and emotional bondage. This points to a state of severe physical imprisonment, but also metaphorically to the heavy burden of suffering, slavery, or spiritual captivity under sin or destructive patterns.

#### 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 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.

* [Isaiah 42:7](/isaiah/42-7 "Isaiah 42:7 - Opening Blind Eyes")
* [Luke 1:79](/luke/1-79 "Luke 1:79 - To Give Light to Those Who Sit in Darkness")
* [Acts 12:7](/acts/12-7 "Acts 12:7 - Peter's Chains Fall Off")

### 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.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "bound in affliction and iron," or "sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death"?**
* **How does the imagery of this verse resonate with personal experiences of hopelessness or captivity (physical, emotional, or spiritual)?**
* **What does this verse, in the context of Psalm 107, teach us about the first step towards deliverance when we are in a desperate situation?**

### FAQ

**Does "shadow of death" refer to literal death or something else?**

Answer: While "shadow of death" (Hebrew: _tsalmaveth_) 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.

**Is the "binding in affliction and iron" always a literal physical imprisonment?**

Answer: While the imagery of "iron" strongly suggests literal physical chains and imprisonment, the phrase "bound in affliction" broadens the scope. "Affliction" (Hebrew: _oni_) 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 [Psalms 107:17-20](/psalms/107-17 "Psalms 107:17-20 - Deliverance from Sickness due to Sin").

### 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](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned") 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](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World") 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](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - Proclaiming Liberty") and echoed in [Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement"), 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 and 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](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness"). 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.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 1:79

To give light to them that sit in darkness and [in] the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Matthew 4:16

The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

Isaiah 42:7

To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, [and] them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Micah 7:8

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD [shall be] a light unto me.

Romans 6:20

For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

Romans 6:21

What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is] death.

Matthew 22:13

Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.