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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 107:12 profoundly illustrates the severe consequences of human rebellion against God, depicting a state of deep spiritual and physical distress. It portrays how divine discipline, manifested through intense suffering and "labour," works to humble the proud and defiant heart, leading to a complete collapse and an overwhelming sense of helplessness where all human aid proves utterly futile. This verse underscores the direct link between disobedience and affliction, setting the stage for the desperate cry for divine intervention that characterizes the psalm's recurring narrative.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 107:12 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with profound impact. The most prominent is Cause and Effect, explicitly stated by the opening "Therefore," which directly links the people's prior rebellion against God's counsel (from Psalms 107:11) to their subsequent suffering and brokenness. Personification is evident in "he brought down their heart," treating the abstract concept of the heart as an entity capable of being humbled or brought low by an external agent. This also functions as Metonymy, where "heart" represents the entire inner person, including their will, pride, intellect, and moral character, signifying a comprehensive humbling of their being. The phrase "none to help" functions as Hyperbole or Intensification, emphasizing the extreme and absolute nature of their helplessness; while some minor human aid might conceivably exist, it is utterly insufficient for their profound spiritual and physical need. The overall effect is one of profound Pathos, evoking a deep sense of pity and despair for the afflicted, which serves to heighten the dramatic impact of God's eventual, miraculous deliverance later in the psalm.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 107:12 offers profound theological insights into God's character and His interaction with humanity. It reveals that God, in His justice and sovereignty, actively allows or orchestrates suffering as a means of discipline for those who rebel against His counsel. This "labour" is not merely punitive but redemptive, designed to humble the proud heart and bring individuals to a point of utter dependence on Him. The verse underscores humanity's inherent inability to extricate itself from the consequences of sin, highlighting that true deliverance can only come from a divine source. This brokenness and helplessness are often necessary precursors to genuine repentance and a turning back to God, demonstrating that even in our lowest points, God is actively working to draw us to Himself.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 107:12 serves as a timeless mirror for the human condition, reminding us that rebellion against divine wisdom often leads to profound internal and external distress. When we find ourselves in seasons of "labour" and feel "brought down," with "none to help," this verse invites us to examine our hearts. Is our suffering a consequence of our own defiance, self-reliance, or a refusal to heed God's counsel? God's discipline, though painful, is ultimately an act of profound love, designed to humble our pride and lead us to a place of complete dependence on Him. It is in these moments of utter helplessness that we are most open to recognizing our desperate need for a divine rescuer. Embracing this truth can transform our perspective on hardship, moving us from despair to a posture of humility, genuine repentance, and a renewed cry for God's unfailing help.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is God punishing people in this verse, or is it a natural consequence of their actions?
Answer: It is both, in a nuanced theological sense. The "Therefore" explicitly links their suffering to their prior rebellion against God's words and counsel (Psalms 107:11), indicating a direct consequence. However, the phrase "he brought down their heart" clearly attributes divine agency to this process. God is not a passive observer; He actively allows, orchestrates, or uses the "labour" to humble them. This is best understood as divine discipline rather than mere retributive punishment. The purpose is not simply to inflict pain but to break their pride, lead them to repentance, and draw them back into right relationship with Him, as the subsequent verses of the psalm demonstrate when they cry out to Him.
Does "none to help" mean God abandons His people in their distress?
Answer: Absolutely not. While the verse powerfully depicts a state of utter human helplessness and the failure of any earthly aid, it serves as a dramatic setup for God's glorious intervention. The "none to help" emphasizes humanity's desperate need for a divine rescuer, highlighting that salvation is beyond human capability. The very next verse, Psalms 107:13, shows that when they "cried unto the Lord in their trouble," He delivered them. This phrase underscores God as the only true source of help, demonstrating His faithfulness even when all other avenues fail. It's a testament to His unique power and compassion, not His abandonment.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:12 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, in its pervasive rebellion against God, finds itself in a state of profound spiritual "labour" and imprisonment, utterly helpless with "none to help" in the face of sin and death (Romans 5:6). We are truly "brought down" by the crushing weight of our transgressions and the curse of the law, unable to rescue ourselves from the spiritual darkness and shadow of death that our rebellion incurs (Ephesians 2:1-3). Yet, God, in His infinite mercy and steadfast love, did not leave us in this state of despair. Instead, He sent His Son, Jesus, who willingly experienced the ultimate "labour" and suffering on the cross. He was "brought down" to the lowest point, enduring the full wrath of God for our sin, even crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46), embodying the very helplessness described in the psalm. Through His vicarious suffering and death, Jesus became the ultimate Helper, the one who takes away the sin of the world and offers true deliverance to all who are weary and burdened by their "labour" (Matthew 11:28). He faced the full consequence of human rebellion so that we, who are truly helpless and fallen, might find abundant help, forgiveness, and eternal life in Him, the Lamb of God who bears our "labour" and lifts us up from our fallen state into glorious freedom (2 Corinthians 5:21).