Psalms 107:16

KJV

For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

KJV (with Strong's)

For he hath broken {H7665} the gates {H1817} of brass {H5178}, and cut {H1438} the bars {H1280} of iron {H1270} in sunder {H1438}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For he shattered bronze doors and cut through iron bars.

Berean Standard Bible

For He has broken down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.

American Standard Version

For he hath broken the gates of brass, And cut the bars of iron in sunder.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 107:16 serves as a powerful declaration of the Lord's absolute sovereignty and irresistible might in delivering His people from seemingly impregnable obstacles. Through the vivid imagery of shattered "gates of brass" and sundered "bars of iron," the verse triumphantly underscores God's unique ability to dismantle humanly impossible barriers, bringing profound liberation and rescue to those held captive by distress and bondage. It stands as a testament to divine intervention, highlighting God's readiness to act decisively on behalf of those who cry out to Him in their deepest need.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 107 is a majestic hymn of thanksgiving, meticulously structured around a recurring refrain that celebrates God's enduring goodness and His miraculous deliverance. The psalm recounts four distinct scenarios of human distress—wanderers lost in the wilderness, prisoners in bondage, those afflicted by illness, and sailors imperiled by storms—each followed by the people's desperate cry to the Lord and His subsequent, powerful rescue. Verse 16 falls within the second scenario, specifically detailing God's intervention for those "bound in affliction and iron" because they had rebelled against God's words and despised His counsel, as elaborated in [Psalms 107:10-12](/psalms/107-10-12 "Psalms 107:10-12 - The Rebellious in Bondage"). After their repentance and desperate plea, the psalm records, "Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses" ([Psalms 107:13](/psalms/107-13 "Psalms 107:13 - The Cry for Deliverance")). The preceding verse, [Psalms 107:14](/psalms/107-14 "Psalms 107:14 - God's Deliverance from Darkness"), states that God "brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder," setting the immediate narrative stage for the powerful imagery of verse 16, which vividly illustrates *how* God accomplishes this profound and complete liberation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, city gates and prison doors were constructed with formidable materials to ensure maximum security and prevent escape or intrusion. "Gates of brass" (or bronze, a common and highly durable alloy in antiquity) were massive, heavy structures, signifying immense strength, impenetrability, and often, the ultimate line of defense for a city or fortress. Such gates were typically reinforced with "bars of iron," which provided additional, seemingly unbreakable security for strongholds, cities, and especially prisons. The imagery in [Psalms 107:16](/psalms/107-16 "Psalms 107:16 - God Breaking Impregnable Barriers") thus evokes the strongest possible human-made barriers—structures designed to be unyielding and inescapable. For a prisoner, or indeed an entire city under siege, these materials represented absolute confinement and insurmountable odds. The breaking or cutting asunder of such barriers would have been understood as an act requiring supernatural power, far beyond human capability, thereby emphasizing the divine nature and overwhelming might of the deliverance described.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 107:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative, highlighting God's active involvement in the lives of His people.
* **Divine Deliverance and Redemption:** The primary message conveyed is God's active, powerful, and compassionate intervention to free His people from various forms of captivity. The "gates of brass" and "bars of iron" symbolize not just physical prisons but any seemingly impregnable obstacle or form of bondage that holds people captive. God's action signifies a supernatural, redemptive release, demonstrating that no situation is beyond His capacity to transform or deliver from.
* **God's Omnipotence and Sovereignty:** This verse powerfully underscores God's absolute and unchallengeable power. No barrier, no matter how strong or securely fashioned by human hands, can withstand His will. He effortlessly shatters what is humanly unbreakable, demonstrating His sovereign control over all circumstances, both natural and man-made. This echoes the profound truth found in passages like [Jeremiah 32:27](/jeremiah/32-27 "Jeremiah 32:27 - Is Anything Too Hard for God?"), where God declares, "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?"
* **Freedom from Bondage:** While the immediate context of [Psalms 107:10-14](/psalms/107-10-14 "Psalms 107:10-14 - Deliverance from Prison") is physical imprisonment, the imagery extends metaphorically to spiritual, emotional, and circumstantial bondage. The psalm's broader narrative, encompassing various forms of distress, highlights God's comprehensive power to liberate individuals from the chains of sin, despair, addiction, oppression, or any overwhelming life situation. It points to God as the ultimate liberator, providing genuine and complete freedom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Broken (Hebrew, _shâbar'_):** This primitive root (H7665) means "to burst (literally or figuratively); break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), crush, destroy." In [Psalms 107:16](/psalms/107-16 "Psalms 107:16 - God Breaking Impregnable Barriers"), it conveys a violent, decisive, and comprehensive dismantling. It implies not just a weakening, but a shattering into pieces, emphasizing the totality of God's destructive power over the obstacles.
* **Brass (Hebrew, _nᵉchôsheth'_):** This term (H5178) refers to "copper, hence, something made of that metal," commonly understood as bronze in the ancient world. Bronze was a highly valued metal known for its strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion. When applied to "gates," it signifies immense fortification, security, and impenetrability, representing barriers designed to be virtually unyielding to human force.
* **Bars (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyach'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to flee" or "to pass through," this word (H1280) specifically denotes "a bolt" or "bar." In the context of gates or prisons, these were heavy, solid pieces of wood or metal (here, "of iron") used to secure doors, making them exceptionally difficult to open or break. Their destruction signifies the complete removal of the means of confinement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he hath broken the gates of brass":** This clause immediately identifies the divine agent ("he," referring to the Lord) and His decisive, powerful action. The act of "breaking" the "gates of brass" signifies the Lord's ability to overcome the most formidable and seemingly impenetrable obstacles. These gates, representing ultimate security and confinement, are utterly shattered by His power, indicating that no humanly constructed barrier can withstand His will. This action is a direct, supernatural response to the cries of those in distress, demonstrating God's active and overwhelming intervention in their impossible situation.
* **"and cut the bars of iron in sunder":** This second clause powerfully reinforces and amplifies the first through striking parallelism. The Lord not only breaks the main gates but also "cuts in sunder" (from the Hebrew _gâdaʻ_, H1438, meaning "to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything; cut asunder, in sunder, down, off") the reinforcing "bars of iron." The verb "cut in sunder" emphasizes a complete severing and demolition of the means of confinement. Iron bars, symbolizing unbreakable bonds and absolute imprisonment, are rendered useless. This dual action underscores the completeness of God's deliverance; He leaves no part of the oppressive structure intact, ensuring total and irreversible freedom for those He liberates.

#### Literary Devices
[Psalms 107:16](/psalms/107-16 "Psalms 107:16 - God Breaking Impregnable Barriers") is rich in literary devices that enhance its impact and communicate its profound meaning. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where "gates of brass" and "bars of iron" serve as powerful representations of insurmountable obstacles, oppressive forces, or seemingly inescapable situations, whether physical, spiritual, emotional, or circumstantial. These are not merely literal prison gates but stand for any form of human bondage or distress that defies human solution. The verse also employs striking **Imagery**, creating a vivid mental picture of immense, solid barriers being violently shattered and severed, conveying the overwhelming and destructive power of God against forces of confinement. **Parallelism** is evident in the symmetrical structure of the verse, with the two clauses ("broken the gates of brass" and "cut the bars of iron in sunder") mirroring each other in action and object, reinforcing the central message of divine destruction of barriers and the totality of liberation. Furthermore, the language uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize God's power; while literal gates and bars are broken, the language suggests an ease and totality of destruction that transcends normal human capability, highlighting the supernatural and effortless nature of God's intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Psalms 107:16](/psalms/107-16 "Psalms 107:16 - God Breaking Impregnable Barriers") stands as a profound theological declaration of God's unparalleled power and His unwavering commitment to deliver His people from all forms of bondage. It reveals a God who is not distant or passive but actively intervenes in the affairs of humanity, especially when His people are in dire straits and cry out to Him. The breaking of "gates of brass" and "bars of iron" is a testament to His omnipotence, demonstrating that no humanly constructed barrier, no system of oppression, and no depth of despair can withstand His liberating hand. This verse assures believers that God is capable of shattering the most formidable obstacles, whether they are physical prisons, the chains of sin, the grip of addiction, the weight of despair, or the seemingly impossible circumstances of life. It underscores His role as the ultimate Redeemer, who brings light out of darkness and freedom out of captivity, always in response to a repentant and desperate cry for help.

* [Isaiah 45:2](/isaiah/45-2 "Isaiah 45:2 - God Breaking Gates of Bronze and Bars of Iron")
* [Acts 12:7-10](/acts/12-7-10 "Acts 12:7-10 - Peter's Miraculous Prison Escape")
* [Luke 1:79](/luke/1-79 "Luke 1:79 - To Give Light to Those Who Sit in Darkness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Psalms 107:16](/psalms/107-16 "Psalms 107:16 - God Breaking Impregnable Barriers") offers a powerful beacon of hope and encouragement for every believer facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. It reminds us that no "gates of brass" or "bars of iron"—whether they represent a chronic illness, financial ruin, relational breakdown, spiritual oppression, deep-seated fear, the lingering effects of past trauma, or the weight of unconfessed sin—are too strong for God to break. Just as He delivered the ancient Israelites from literal and metaphorical prisons, He promises to intervene for us when we, in our distress, cry out to Him. This verse calls us to shift our focus from the enormity of our problems to the infinitude of God's power. It challenges us to trust in His ability to make a way where there appears to be none, to shatter the chains that bind us, and to lead us into a place of freedom and flourishing. Our part is to acknowledge our helplessness, turn to Him in genuine repentance and fervent prayer, and then stand in awe of His magnificent deliverance, knowing that His power is limitless.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "gates of brass" or "bars of iron" are you currently facing in your life that seem impossible to overcome?**
* **How does the imagery of God "breaking" and "cutting in sunder" these barriers impact your understanding of His power in your personal struggles?**
* **In what ways does this verse encourage you to cry out to the Lord with greater faith and expectation for deliverance?**
* **Beyond physical liberation, what forms of spiritual or emotional bondage do you believe God desires to set you free from?**

### FAQ
**What does the imagery of 'gates of brass' and 'bars of iron' signify beyond physical prisons?**

Answer: While the immediate context of [Psalms 107:16](/psalms/107-16 "Psalms 107:16 - God Breaking Impregnable Barriers") refers to literal imprisonment, the imagery of "gates of brass" and "bars of iron" extends far beyond physical confinement. Theologically and metaphorically, these strong, unyielding barriers represent any seemingly insurmountable obstacle or oppressive force that holds individuals captive. This can include spiritual bondage (such as the chains of sin, addiction, or spiritual darkness), emotional prisons (like despair, fear, anxiety, or unforgiveness), circumstantial difficulties (such as poverty, chronic illness, or overwhelming debt), or even societal injustices and systemic oppression. The strength and impenetrability of brass and iron emphasize that these are humanly impossible situations to overcome by one's own strength. The verse highlights that God's power is not limited to the physical realm but extends to every area of human experience, demonstrating His capacity to deliver us from any form of captivity that binds us, as seen in the broader themes of liberation throughout Scripture, such as [John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - True Freedom in Christ").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Psalms 107:16](/psalms/107-16 "Psalms 107:16 - God Breaking Impregnable Barriers"), with its declaration of God breaking the gates of brass and cutting the bars of iron, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the psalm speaks of God's deliverance from physical and metaphorical prisons, Christ's mission was to liberate humanity from the ultimate bondage: the dominion of sin and the power of death. He is the one who truly "broke the gates" of spiritual darkness and "cut the bars" of eternal condemnation. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus disarmed the powers of darkness, triumphing over them (as vividly described in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). His glorious resurrection from the dead is the supreme demonstration of God's power to shatter the "bars of iron" that held humanity captive in the shadow of death, for He now holds "the keys of hell and of death" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")). Jesus declared, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" ([John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - The Son Sets You Free")), signifying His power to release us from the spiritual prison of sin, guilt, and the paralyzing fear of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ Frees from the Fear of Death")). Thus, [Psalms 107:16](/psalms/107-16 "Psalms 107:16 - God Breaking Impregnable Barriers") is a prophetic echo of the comprehensive, eternal liberation that only Christ can provide, making a way where there was no way, and bringing true freedom to all who believe.

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

Isaiah 45:1

¶ Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

Isaiah 45:2

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

Micah 2:13

The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.

Judges 16:3

And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put [them] upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that [is] before Hebron.