Psalms 107:11

Translation
King James Version
Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
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KJV (with Strong's)
Because they rebelled H4784 against the words H561 of God H410, and contemned H5006 the counsel H6098 of the most High H5945:
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Complete Jewish Bible
because they defied God's word, scorned the counsel of the Most High.
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Berean Standard Bible
because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.
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American Standard Version
Because they rebelled against the words of God, And contemned the counsel of the Most High:
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World English Bible Messianic
because they rebelled against the words of God, and condemned the counsel of the Most High.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Because they rebelled against the wordes of the Lord, and despised the counsell of the most High,
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Young's Literal Translation
Because they changed the saying of God, And the counsel of the Most High despised.
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See also
Psalms 106:43Romans 1:28Proverbs 1:25Psalms 78:40Luke 7:30Psalms 73:24Proverbs 1:30
In the KJVVerse 15,711 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Psalms 107:11 serves as a profound explanation for the distress and affliction described earlier in the chapter, particularly the plight of those "sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, bound in affliction and iron." This verse pinpoints the root cause of their suffering: a deliberate and defiant rejection of God's revealed will and perfect wisdom. It underscores a fundamental biblical truth that human suffering can often be a direct consequence of active rebellion against divine authority and a scornful dismissal of the Almighty's counsel, setting the stage for the subsequent divine deliverance.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalms 107 is a majestic hymn of thanksgiving, structured around four distinct scenarios where individuals or groups experience severe distress, cry out to the Lord, and are miraculously delivered. These groups are wanderers lost in the wilderness (Psalms 107:4-9), prisoners in affliction (Psalms 107:10-16), the sick afflicted by their sin (Psalms 107:17-22), and mariners caught in a tempest (Psalms 107:23-32). Verse 11 specifically provides the reason for the plight of the second group, the prisoners. The preceding verse, Psalms 107:10, vividly describes their state of bondage, "sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, bound in affliction and iron." Psalms 107:11 then immediately follows, beginning with "Because," explicitly stating that their dire circumstances were a direct consequence of their actions against God, thus establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship within the narrative flow of the psalm.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: While the psalm does not specify a single historical event, the imagery of captivity, darkness, and iron bonds strongly resonates with the experiences of the Israelite people, particularly during periods of exile or oppression, such as the Babylonian captivity. The concept of suffering as a consequence of rebellion against God's covenant is a recurring theme throughout Israel's history, as detailed in books like Deuteronomy and Judges. The "Most High" (Hebrew: Elyon) is an ancient and powerful title for God, emphasizing His supreme sovereignty, exalted position, and ultimate authority over all creation and human affairs. To "contemn the counsel of the Most High" would have been understood as an act of profound hubris and spiritual treason against the very source of life and wisdom.
  • Key Themes: Psalms 107:11 is a pivotal verse that highlights several profound themes. Firstly, it directly links human rebellion and disobedience to negative consequences, demonstrating that choices have repercussions and that defying God's authority ultimately leads to affliction and bondage. This underscores the seriousness of sin, not merely as a moral failing but as an act of defiance against the divine King. Secondly, it emphasizes the value and authority of God's Word and Counsel. The "words of God" are not mere suggestions but divine commands and principles for living, while His "counsel" represents His perfect wisdom and strategic plan for humanity. To reject these is to reject the path to true flourishing, as seen in Proverbs 1:24-31. Thirdly, the verse implicitly points to God's justice and sovereignty. While God is merciful and delivers those who cry out, He also allows the natural and just consequences of rebellion to unfold, affirming His righteous governance over the world. This balance between divine justice and steadfast love (Hebrew: hesed) is central to the psalm's message of deliverance.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Rebelled (Hebrew, mârâh', H4784): This verb (H4784) signifies a strong, deliberate act of defiance, open revolt, or stubborn resistance against authority. It's not merely passive disobedience but an active, willful turning away from what is commanded or expected. In biblical contexts, mârâh often describes Israel's repeated acts of rebellion against Yahweh in the wilderness (e.g., Numbers 20:10). It implies a hardened heart and a refusal to submit to divine will, often leading to bitter consequences.
  • Contemned (Hebrew, nâʼats', H5006): This powerful verb (H5006) means to scorn, despise, spurn, or treat with contempt. It suggests a more intense and arrogant rejection than mârâh. To "contemn" God's counsel is to look down upon it, to regard it as worthless or foolish, and to dismiss it with disdain. This is an attitude of profound disrespect and spiritual arrogance that actively disdains God's perfect plan and understanding, often leading to blasphemy or provocation.
  • Counsel (Hebrew, ʻêtsâh', H6098): This noun (H6098) refers to God's divine wisdom, strategic plan, and sovereign guidance. It encompasses His perfect foresight, His righteous decrees, and His benevolent intentions for humanity. The use of "Most High" (ʻelyôwn, H5945) emphasizes God's supreme authority and exalted position as the ultimate source of truth, wisdom, and governance, making the act of contemning His counsel an act of supreme folly and rebellion against the highest power.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Because they rebelled against the words of God": This clause establishes the primary reason for the affliction described in the preceding verse. The suffering of the prisoners is not random but a direct consequence of their active and willful defiance against God's revealed communication. "Words of God" (אִמְרֵי־אֵל - imrei-El, combining H561 ʼêmer and H410 ʼêl) refers to His specific pronouncements, commands, and revealed truth, which serve as the foundation for righteous living and covenant relationship. Their rebellion signifies a deliberate choice to disregard or actively oppose these divine instructions.
  • "and contemned the counsel of the most High": This second clause functions in synonymous parallelism with the first, intensifying and elaborating on the nature of their rebellion. It's not just disobedience, but a scornful, arrogant dismissal of God's wisdom and guidance. To "contemn" implies a deep-seated disdain for God's perfect plan, viewing it as inferior or irrelevant to their own desires. The phrase "counsel of the Most High" underscores that the wisdom they rejected originates from the supreme, exalted, and all-knowing God, making their contempt an act of profound spiritual blindness and hubris against the ultimate authority.

Literary Devices

Psalms 107:11 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is Synonymous Parallelism, where the two clauses of the verse express the same idea in different words, reinforcing and intensifying the meaning. "Rebelled against the words of God" is paralleled by "contemned the counsel of the most High," both conveying the core concept of defiant rejection of divine authority. This repetition emphasizes the gravity and multifaceted nature of their sin, highlighting both active disobedience and scornful dismissal. The verse also functions as a clear statement of Cause and Effect, where the rebellion and contempt (the cause) directly lead to the affliction and bondage described in Psalms 107:10 (the effect). This highlights the principle of divine justice and the inherent consequences of living contrary to God's design. Furthermore, there is a subtle use of Personification, as "words of God" and "counsel of the Most High" are treated as entities against which one can rebel or show contempt, underscoring their inherent authority, wisdom, and the personal nature of the offense against God Himself.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Psalms 107:11 profoundly connects to the overarching biblical narrative of humanity's relationship with God, particularly the themes of sin, divine justice, and the indispensable value of God's revelation. It articulates a foundational principle: when humanity rejects the divine blueprint for life—His revealed word and wise counsel—the natural and just consequence is often a descent into distress and bondage. This is not arbitrary punishment but the inevitable outcome of operating outside the divine order designed for human flourishing. The verse reminds us that God's commands are not burdensome restrictions but pathways to life, and to scorn them is to choose a path of self-destruction. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to His own character, which includes both steadfast love and righteous judgment, ensuring that rebellion does not go unaddressed, yet always leaves room for the cry for deliverance.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Psalms 107:11 serves as a timeless warning and a profound call to humility and introspection for all believers. It challenges us to examine our own lives and discern if, perhaps subtly or overtly, we are "rebelling against the words of God" or "contemning the counsel of the Most High." In a world that often values self-autonomy and personal truth above all else, this verse reminds us that true freedom and flourishing are found not in defiance but in alignment with God's perfect will. It prompts us to diligently study and obey the Scriptures, understanding that God's ways are always for our good and that His wisdom far surpasses our own. When facing difficult circumstances, this verse encourages self-reflection: have we been receptive to God's voice, or have we, like those in the Psalm, neglected to seek His counsel and instead pursued our own rebellious paths? It calls us to cultivate a posture of reverence for God's Word and a deep desire to walk in His wisdom, trusting that His guidance is the only true path to lasting peace and deliverance from spiritual bondage.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what areas of my life might I be subtly or overtly "rebelling against the words of God" or disregarding His principles?
  • Am I truly valuing and actively seeking God's "counsel" in major decisions, or do I often rely solely on my own understanding and desires?
  • How does this verse challenge my perspective on suffering, both personally and in the world, particularly regarding the role of human choices?

FAQ

Does this verse imply that all suffering is a direct result of personal sin or rebellion?

Answer: While Psalms 107:11 clearly links the specific suffering of the "prisoners" to their rebellion against God's word and counsel, it does not imply that all suffering is a direct result of individual sin. The Bible presents a multifaceted understanding of suffering. For example, the book of Job powerfully demonstrates that righteous individuals can suffer without direct personal sin being the cause. Similarly, John 9:1-3 shows Jesus correcting the disciples' assumption that a man's blindness was due to his or his parents' sin. This verse in Psalms 107 highlights a principle—that rebellion against God's design often leads to negative consequences—but it is not an exhaustive explanation for every instance of human pain or affliction. It specifically addresses the cause of the distress of a particular group described in the psalm, emphasizing God's justice in allowing consequences for deliberate disobedience while acknowledging the broader complexities of suffering.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Psalms 107:11, with its stark portrayal of suffering stemming from rebellion against God's words and contempt for His counsel, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the only one who perfectly lived a life of absolute obedience, never rebelling against the words of God but always doing what pleased the Father (John 8:29). Unlike humanity, who consistently contemned God's counsel, Jesus is the very embodiment of God's wisdom and counsel, in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). He is God's perfect Word made flesh (John 1:14), the ultimate revelation against whom humanity rebelled and whom they ultimately crucified. Yet, through His sacrificial death, Jesus bore the full consequences of humanity's rebellion and contempt, offering deliverance from the spiritual bondage and "shadow of death" that sin brings (Luke 4:18). Through faith in Him, those who were once bound by their own defiance can find forgiveness for their rebellion and receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, enabling them to walk in God's counsel and experience true freedom (Ephesians 1:17). He is the pathway to reconciliation, transforming hearts of rebellion into hearts of humble obedience, leading to life rather than the affliction described in the psalm.

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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.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 10–16. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 107
"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.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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