Psalms 107:18

Translation
King James Version
Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
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KJV (with Strong's)
Their soul H5315 abhorreth H8581 all manner of meat H400; and they draw near H5060 unto the gates H8179 of death H4194.
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Complete Jewish Bible
they couldn't stand to eat anything; they were near the gates of death.
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Berean Standard Bible
They loathed all food and drew near to the gates of death.
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American Standard Version
Their soul abhorreth all manner of food; And they draw near unto the gates of death.
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World English Bible Messianic
Their soul abhors all kinds of food. They draw near to the gates of death.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Their soule abhorreth al meat, and they are brought to deaths doore.
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Young's Literal Translation
All food doth their soul abominate, And they come nigh unto the gates of death,
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See also
Psalms 88:3Psalms 9:13Job 33:19Job 33:22Isaiah 38:10Job 38:17
In the KJVVerse 15,718 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Psalm 107:18 vividly portrays the profound physical and spiritual decline of those who, having reaped the consequences of their rebellion and foolishness, experience a complete loss of appetite and vitality. This verse powerfully illustrates an internal and external surrender to their affliction, bringing them to the very precipice of death and underscoring the severe and inescapable outcomes of straying from divine wisdom and life-giving truth.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalm 107 functions as a grand psalm of thanksgiving, meticulously structured around a recurring cycle of human distress, a desperate cry to the Lord, divine deliverance, and an emphatic call to praise God for His unwavering steadfast love (hesed). The psalm unfolds through four distinct vignettes, each depicting a group experiencing God's saving power: wanderers lost in the wilderness (Psalm 107:4-9), prisoners languishing in darkness (Psalm 107:10-16), those afflicted by their own transgression (Psalm 107:17-22), and sailors imperiled by a storm (Psalm 107:23-32). Verse 18 is situated within the third section, specifically detailing the extreme physical and spiritual debilitation of the "fools" whose suffering is a direct consequence of their sin, as introduced in Psalm 107:17. This verse serves as the dire climax of their suffering, setting the urgent stage for their desperate cry to God and His subsequent miraculous healing, as described in Psalm 107:19-20.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Israel and the broader Near East, illness and disease were frequently understood, though not exclusively, as potential consequences of sin or divine judgment, or at least as manifestations of a broken world. A complete loss of appetite, as powerfully described in this verse, was a clear and ominous sign of severe, life-threatening illness, indicating a body in the process of shutting down. The potent imagery of "drawing near unto the gates of death" is a pervasive ancient Near Eastern idiom for being on the very brink of the underworld or the grave, signifying an irreversible state without extraordinary intervention. This idiom is deeply embedded in various ancient texts and other biblical passages, reflecting a common cultural understanding of the perilous threshold between the realm of the living and the realm of the dead. The cultural understanding of food as fundamental sustenance and a potent symbol of life makes the "abhorrence of meat" a particularly potent and heartbreaking image of life ebbing away, signifying not just physical decline but a loss of the very will to live.
  • Key Themes: This verse profoundly contributes to several pivotal themes within Psalm 107 and the broader biblical narrative. It starkly illustrates the Consequences of Rebellion and Foolishness, demonstrating how a life of disobedience or unwise choices can lead to profound physical, emotional, and spiritual decline, culminating in a loss of vitality and hope, a truth echoed in Proverbs 1:31. The phrase "abhorreth all manner of meat" highlights Extreme Sickness and Despair, depicting a complete and active aversion to life-sustaining nourishment, which is a classic symptom of severe illness or deep psychological distress. This active rejection indicates a state where the body is failing and the will to live is profoundly diminished. Finally, to "draw near unto the gates of death" emphasizes Proximity to Death, a powerful poetic metaphor signifying being on the very threshold of the grave, a point of no return where life is rapidly ebbing away, and only a miraculous intervention can prevent demise. This imagery underscores the gravity of their situation and their desperate need for God's intervention, aligning with the psalm's overarching theme of God's steadfast love and His readiness to deliver those who cry out to Him, as highlighted in Psalm 107:6.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • soul (Hebrew, nephesh', H5315): This term encompasses more than just the spiritual essence; it refers to the entire person, including their life, appetite, desire, and very being. Here, it denotes the vital principle, the seat of emotions and desires. When the "soul" abhors food, it signifies a profound, holistic rejection of life and vitality, indicating a deep-seated physical and psychological malaise.
  • abhorreth (Hebrew, taʻâb', H8581): This verb carries a strong connotation of detesting, loathing, or abominating. It is not merely a passive lack of desire or a simple loss of appetite, but an active, visceral revulsion. In a spiritual sense, it can imply a profound aversion to that which is good, life-giving, or divine, reflecting a deep spiritual malaise that mirrors the physical sickness. This active loathing underscores the severity of their condition.
  • death (Hebrew, mâveth', H4194): This word refers to natural or violent death, the state of the dead, or even figuratively, pestilence and ruin. In the context of "gates of death," it signifies the realm of the dead, the grave, or the underworld. Its presence here emphasizes the ultimate and dire consequence of their affliction, highlighting their imminent demise and the finality of their situation without divine intervention.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat": This clause vividly describes the internal and physical state of the afflicted. The "soul" (nephesh in Hebrew) here refers not just to the spiritual essence but to the whole person—their life, appetite, desire, and very being. The active abhorrence of food signifies a profound and debilitating illness, a complete loss of vitality and will to live. It suggests that their physical suffering is so intense that the body rejects the very sustenance it needs, indicating a deep-seated sickness that extends beyond mere physical symptoms to a spiritual and psychological weariness with life itself.
  • "and they draw near unto the gates of death": This second clause describes the external and ultimate consequence of their internal state. Having rejected life-sustaining nourishment, they are now on the precipice of death. The imagery of "drawing near" emphasizes the imminent danger and the progressive deterioration of their condition. They are not merely sick; they are at the very threshold of the grave, signifying a critical, near-fatal state from which human intervention is likely insufficient. This clause underscores the gravity and finality of their predicament without divine intervention.

Literary Devices

Psalm 107:18 employs several potent literary devices to convey the depth of suffering and its dire consequences. The most prominent is Metaphor, specifically in the evocative phrase "gates of death," which vividly represents the threshold of the grave or the underworld, emphasizing the extreme proximity to demise. This is not a literal gate but a figurative boundary or entrance to the realm of the dead. There is also an element of Hyperbole in "abhorreth all manner of meat," which, while describing a real symptom of severe illness, exaggerates the totality of the aversion to emphasize the overwhelming severity of the illness and the complete loss of desire for life-sustaining nourishment. The verse also exhibits a form of Parallelism, where the two clauses, though not strictly synonymous or antithetical, present a cause-and-effect or intensifying relationship: the internal rejection of life (abhorring meat) leads directly to the external consequence of nearing death. Finally, the use of "soul" to "abhor" can be seen as a subtle form of Personification, attributing a human action of detesting to the soul, highlighting the deeply personal and internal nature of their suffering and despair.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This verse, situated within the broader narrative of Psalm 107, serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of sin and folly, which can lead to profound physical, emotional, and spiritual distress. While the Bible cautions against simplistically attributing all sickness to specific sin, this passage highlights how rebellion against God's wisdom can indeed bring about conditions of severe suffering and even the brink of death. It underscores the biblical principle that actions have consequences, and that a life alienated from God's life-giving presence can result in a spiritual and physical wasting away. However, the verse also implicitly sets the stage for God's redemptive power, emphasizing that even at humanity's lowest and most desperate point, when all natural means of recovery are exhausted, God remains sovereign over life and death, ready to hear the cries of those who turn to Him in their trouble. It points to the ultimate need for divine intervention when humanity reaches its limit and faces seemingly insurmountable odds.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Psalm 107:18 offers a profound mirror for self-examination, inviting us to consider the often-unseen consequences of our choices, particularly when we stray from God's wise and life-giving paths. While we must be careful not to simplistically attribute all suffering to specific sins, this verse powerfully reminds us that rebellion and foolishness can indeed lead to a spiritual and even physical decline, a state where our "soul" loses its appetite for what truly nourishes it—God's Word, His presence, and His truth. It challenges us to honestly assess if we are "abhorring" the spiritual "meat" that sustains true life, perhaps by neglecting prayer, avoiding Scripture, or resisting the Holy Spirit's guidance. When we find ourselves in a state of spiritual apathy, despair, or even physical debilitation that stems from our own choices, this verse calls us not to self-pity, but to a recognition of our desperate need for God. It encourages us to cry out to the Lord, just as those in the psalm did, trusting that even when we are at the "gates of death"—spiritually, emotionally, or physically—His steadfast love is ready to deliver, heal, and restore, bringing us back to vitality and hope.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what areas of my life might I be experiencing the consequences of choices that stray from God's wisdom and lead to spiritual or emotional depletion?
  • How does this verse challenge me to examine my spiritual "appetite"—am I truly hungering for God's word and presence, or am I actively rejecting spiritual nourishment?
  • When I feel "at the gates of death" spiritually or emotionally, what is my first response? Do I cry out to the Lord, or do I try to manage it in my own strength?

FAQ

Does this verse mean all sickness is a direct result of sin?

Answer: No, this verse does not teach that all sickness is a direct result of sin. While it specifically describes a group whose affliction is a consequence of their "transgression" and "iniquities" (Psalm 107:17), the Bible presents a more nuanced view of suffering. For example, the book of Job clearly demonstrates suffering not caused by personal sin, and Jesus explicitly states that a man born blind was not afflicted due to his own sin or his parents' sin (John 9:1-3). This verse highlights a specific instance where foolish choices and rebellion lead to severe consequences, but it is not a universal theological principle for all illness.

What does "abhorreth all manner of meat" mean literally and spiritually?

Answer: Literally, "abhorreth all manner of meat" describes a complete and active aversion to food, a classic symptom of severe physical illness, deep depression, or a body shutting down. It signifies a profound loss of appetite and vitality, where the very means of sustenance are rejected. Spiritually, this phrase can be understood as a deep spiritual malaise or apathy. Just as the body rejects physical nourishment, the "soul" in this state rejects spiritual "meat"—God's Word, His truth, His presence, and the spiritual disciplines that sustain a vibrant faith. It represents a loss of desire for life-giving truth and communion with God, leading to spiritual weakness and a drawing near to spiritual death, much like the physical state described.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Psalm 107:18, with its vivid portrayal of humanity's desperate state due to sin and folly, finds its ultimate fulfillment and answer in Jesus Christ. Humanity, in its fallenness, often "abhorreth" the true spiritual "meat" of God's wisdom and life, preferring the fleeting and ultimately destructive pleasures of sin, thereby drawing near to the "gates of death," as the wages of sin are death (Romans 6:23). Christ, however, is the ultimate "Bread of Life" (John 6:35) and the "living bread that came down from heaven" (John 6:51), offering true spiritual nourishment that the world cannot provide. He came to give life, and life more abundantly (John 10:10), rescuing those who are at death's door. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus conquered sin and death, effectively smashing the "gates of Hades," against which His church will prevail (Matthew 16:18), and holding the keys of death and Hades (Revelation 1:18). He is the Great Physician who heals not only physical ailments but also the spiritual sickness of the soul, restoring our appetite for God and leading us out of the shadow of death into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). In Christ, the desperate cry for deliverance from the "gates of death" is eternally answered, offering resurrection life and eternal communion with God.

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Commentary on Psalms 107 verses 17–22

Bodily sickness is another of the calamities of this life which gives us an opportunity of experiencing the goodness of God in recovering us, and of that the psalmist speaks in these verses, where we may observe,

I. That we, by our sins, bring sickness upon ourselves and then it is our duty to pray, Psa 107:17-19. 1. It is the sin of the soul that is the cause of sickness; we bring it upon ourselves both meritoriously and efficiently: Fools, because of their transgression, are thus afflicted; they are thus corrected for the sins they have committed and thus cured of their evil inclinations to sin. If we knew no sin, we should know no sickness; but the transgression of our life, and the iniquity of our heart, make it necessary. Sinners are fools; they wrong themselves, and all against their own interest, not only their spiritual, but their secular interest. They prejudice their bodily health by intemperance and endanger their lives by indulging their appetites. This their way is their folly, and they need the rod of correction to drive out the foolishness that is bound up in their hearts. 2. The weakness of the body is the effect of sickness, Psa 107:18. When people are sick their soul abhors all manner of meat; they not only have no desire to eat nor power to digest it, but they nauseate it, and their stomach is turned against it. And here they may read their sin in their punishment: those that doted most on the meat that perishes, when they come to be sick are sick of it, and the dainties they loved are loathed; what they took too much of now they can take nothing of, which commonly follows upon the overcharging of the heart with surfeiting and drunkenness. And when the appetite is gone the life is as good as gone: They draw near unto the gates of death; they are, in their own apprehension and in the apprehension of all about them, at the brink of the grave, as ready to be turned to destruction. 3. Then is a proper time for prayer: Then they cry unto the Lord, Psa 107:19. Is any sick? Let him pray; let him be prayed for. Prayer is a salve for every sore.

II. That it is by the power and mercy of God that we are recovered from sickness, and then it is our duty to be thankful. Compare with this Job 33:18, Job 33:28. 1. When those that are sick call upon God he returns them an answer of peace. They cry unto him and he saves them out of their distresses (Psa 107:19); he removes their griefs and prevents their fears. (1.) He does it easily: He sent his word and healed them, Psa 107:20. This may be applied to the miraculous cures which Christ wrought when he was upon earth, by a word's speaking; he said, Be clean, Be whole, and the work was done. It may also be applied to the spiritual cures which the Spirit of grace works in regeneration; he sends his word, and heals souls, convinces, converts, sanctifies them, and all by the word. In the common instances of recovery from sickness God in his providence does but speak, and it is done. (2.) He does it effectually: He delivereth them out of their destructions, that they shall neither be destroyed nor distressed with the fear of being so. Nothing is too hard for that God to do who kills and makes alive again, brings down to the grave and raises up, who turneth man almost to destruction, and yet saith, Return. 2. When those that have been sick are restored they must return to God an answer of praise (Psa 107:21, Psa 107:22): Let all men praise the Lord for his goodness, and let those, particularly, to whom God has thus granted a new life, spend it in his service; let them sacrifice with thanksgiving, not only bring a thank-offering to the altar, but a thankful heart to God. Thanksgivings are the best thank-offerings, and shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock. And let them declare his works with rejoicing, to his honour and for the encouragement of others. The living, the living, they shall praise him.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 17–22. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 107
"Their soul abhorred all manner of meat" [Psalm 107:18]. Now they suffer satiety. They are sick of satiety. They are in danger from satiety. Unless perchance you think they could be killed with famine, but cannot with satiety. See what follows. When he had said, "Their soul abhorred all manner of meat," lest you should think them, as it were, safe of their fullness, and not rather see that they would die of satiety: "And they came near," he says, "even unto the gates of death." What then remains? That even when the word of God delights you, thou account it not to yourself; nor for this be puffed up with any sort of arrogance, and having an appetite for food, proudly spurn at those who are in danger from satiety.
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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