Psalms 107:19

KJV

Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he saveth them out of their distresses.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then they cry {H2199} unto the LORD {H3068} in their trouble {H6862}, and he saveth {H3467} them out of their distresses {H4691}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In their trouble they cried to ADONAI, and he rescued them from their distress;

Berean Standard Bible

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.

American Standard Version

Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he saveth them out of their distresses.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 107:19 encapsulates a profound and enduring truth about the divine-human encounter: when humanity, in its various forms of trouble and distress—even self-inflicted—cries out to the sovereign Lord, He responds with powerful and compassionate deliverance. This verse, embedded within a psalm of thanksgiving, highlights God's steadfast love (*hesed*) and His unwavering commitment to rescue those who turn to Him in their helplessness, demonstrating that His mercy extends beyond human merit or the cause of their suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 107 functions as a communal psalm of thanksgiving, structured around a recurring four-fold pattern of distress, desperate cry, divine deliverance, and subsequent call to thanksgiving. The psalm presents four distinct groups of people who experience trouble: wanderers in the wilderness ([Psalm 107:4-9](/psalms/107-4 "Psalm 107:4-9 - Wanderers Delivered")), prisoners in darkness ([Psalm 107:10-16](/psalms/107-10 "Psalm 107:10-16 - Prisoners Freed")), the sick afflicted by their own sin ([Psalm 107:17-22](/psalms/107-17 "Psalm 107:17-22 - The Afflicted Healed")), and sailors caught in storms ([Psalm 107:23-32](/psalms/107-23 "Psalm 107:23-32 - Sailors Rescued")). Verse 19 specifically falls within the third scenario, detailing those who "were fools because of their transgression, and suffered affliction because of their iniquities" ([Psalm 107:17](/psalms/107-17 "Psalm 107:17 - Afflicted by Iniquity")). This placement is crucial, as it underscores God's willingness to deliver even when suffering is a direct consequence of human foolishness and rebellion, not merely external circumstances. Each section culminates in the refrain, "Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses," before a call to "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" ([Psalm 107:8](/psalms/107-8 "Psalm 107:8 - Call to Praise God's Goodness")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm reflects a deep understanding of Israel's historical experience, particularly the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, where God repeatedly heard the cries of His people and delivered them from various forms of oppression and peril. The concept of "trouble" and "distresses" (Hebrew: *metsarim*) would resonate with experiences of national bondage, famine, disease, or natural disasters, all understood through a theological lens as potentially linked to covenant faithfulness or unfaithfulness. The "cry unto the LORD" was a common and culturally understood act of desperate appeal to the covenant God, rooted in the belief that Yahweh is a God who hears and acts on behalf of His people. This communal and individual experience of divine intervention formed the bedrock of Israelite worship and thanksgiving, reinforcing the covenant relationship where God is both righteous judge and merciful redever.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of Psalm 107, powerfully articulated in verse 19, is God's **steadfast love (Hebrew: *hesed*)** and **faithfulness** in responding to human need. It highlights the **power of desperate prayer** as a catalyst for divine intervention, emphasizing that God is not distant but intimately involved in the affairs of humanity. The psalm also explores the theme of **divine sovereignty over human circumstances**, demonstrating God's ability to deliver from every conceivable form of trouble—whether natural disaster, human oppression, or self-inflicted suffering. Importantly, it underscores the **universal accessibility of God's mercy**, extending even to those whose predicaments are a result of their own sin, as seen in the broader context of [Psalm 107](/psalms/107 "Psalm 107 - God's Steadfast Love and Deliverance"). This consistent pattern of human cry and divine rescue reinforces the fundamental theological truth that God is a **Deliverer** who delights in showing compassion and bringing salvation to those who acknowledge their helplessness and turn to Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cry (Hebrew, _tsa'aq'_):** This verb denotes a strong, urgent, and often desperate outcry for help. It is not a casual prayer but an impassioned, sometimes public, plea born out of extreme distress or oppression. It implies a recognition of utter helplessness and a turning to a higher power for intervention, often associated with a sense of injustice or overwhelming burden.
* **saveth (Hebrew, _yasha'_):** This word carries the meaning of delivering, rescuing, or bringing salvation. It signifies a powerful act of liberation from danger, oppression, or distress. The root of this word is famously connected to the name "Jesus" (Yeshua), underscoring God's inherent character as the ultimate Rescuer and Deliverer of His people.
* **distresses (Hebrew, _metsarim'_):** Derived from a root meaning "narrow" or "constricted," *metsarim* refers to narrow places, straits, or situations of anguish and severe trouble. It vividly portrays a feeling of being hemmed in, confined, or trapped with no apparent way out, emphasizing the severity and overwhelming nature of the predicament from which deliverance is sought.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble,"**: This clause describes the human response to an unbearable situation. The "Then" connects directly to the preceding verses (specifically [Psalm 107:17-18](/psalms/107-17 "Psalm 107:17-18 - Fools Afflicted by Iniquity")), indicating that after enduring the consequences of their foolishness and reaching a point of utter despair—"their soul abhorred all manner of meat; and they drew near unto the gates of death"—they finally turn to the only source of true help. The act of "crying unto the LORD" signifies a desperate, urgent, and often last-resort appeal, acknowledging their own inability to escape their "trouble" (a general term for adversity or calamity).
* **"[and] he saveth them out of their distresses."**: This clause presents the divine response, which is immediate, decisive, and effective. The "he" refers unequivocally to the LORD, highlighting His active and compassionate intervention. "Saveth them" implies a complete and comprehensive rescue, not just alleviation but full deliverance from the "distresses"—the narrow, suffocating, and life-threatening predicaments they faced. This demonstrates God's character as a faithful and powerful Deliverer who hears the desperate cry of His people, regardless of the cause of their suffering, and brings them into a place of spacious freedom.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 107:19 employs several powerful literary devices. **Parallelism** is evident in the balanced structure of the verse, where "trouble" in the first clause is paralleled by "distresses" in the second, and the human action of "cry" is met by the divine action of "saveth." This creates a rhythmic and memorable statement of cause and effect. The verse also functions as a **refrain** within Psalm 107, appearing with slight variations in [Psalm 107:6](/psalms/107-6 "Psalm 107:6 - Cry in Trouble"), [Psalm 107:13](/psalms/107-13 "Psalm 107:13 - Deliverance from Distress"), [Psalm 107:19](/psalms/107-19 "Psalm 107:19 - Cry in Trouble, God Saves"), and [Psalm 107:28](/psalms/107-28 "Psalm 107:28 - Cry in Storm, God Delivers"). This **repetition** underscores the central theological message: God consistently responds to the cries of His people, regardless of their specific predicament. Furthermore, the use of **anthropomorphism** in God "hearing" and "saving" attributes human-like actions to God, making His responsiveness tangible and relatable, while simultaneously emphasizing His divine power to intervene in human affairs. The **contrast** between humanity's desperate state ("trouble," "distresses") and God's powerful action ("saveth") amplifies the magnitude of divine mercy and intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 107:19 powerfully articulates a foundational theological truth: God is profoundly responsive to the cries of humanity, especially in times of dire need. This verse transcends the immediate context of self-inflicted suffering to highlight God's universal character as a compassionate and active Deliverer. It underscores the efficacy of desperate prayer, not as a manipulative tool, but as a humble acknowledgment of human helplessness and a turning to the divine source of salvation. The consistent pattern of "cry" and "save" throughout Psalm 107 reinforces God's steadfast love (*hesed*) and His unwavering commitment to His people, demonstrating that His mercy is not contingent upon human perfection but is freely given to those who seek Him. This divine responsiveness assures believers that no trouble is too great, and no distress too deep, for God to hear and to act.

* [Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The Righteous Cry and the Lord Hears")
* [Jeremiah 33:3](/jeremiah/33-3 "Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to Me and I Will Answer")
* [Romans 10:13](/romans/10-13 "Romans 10:13 - Calling on the Name of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 107:19 offers immense encouragement and a clear directive for all who face adversity. It reminds us that our God is not a distant deity, but one who is intimately involved in our lives, ready to hear our most desperate pleas. The "cry" described here is not a casual request, but an urgent, heartfelt outpouring of a soul in genuine distress, acknowledging complete dependence on God. Whether our troubles are the result of our own poor choices, external circumstances, or the brokenness of the world, this verse assures us that God's mercy extends to every predicament. It invites us to cultivate a posture of humility and trust, knowing that when we surrender our perceived control and genuinely "cry unto the LORD," He is faithful to respond. This verse calls us to move beyond self-reliance and embrace the liberating truth that our Deliverer is always accessible, always powerful, and always compassionate, ready to bring us out of our "distresses" into His spacious grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the context of self-inflicted trouble in Psalm 107:17-19 deepen your appreciation for God's mercy?**
* **What does it mean for you personally to "cry unto the LORD" in your own life, and how might this differ from a casual prayer?**
* **In what "distresses" are you currently awaiting God's deliverance, and how does this verse encourage you to trust Him completely?**

### FAQ
**Does God always deliver us from our troubles immediately or in the way we expect?**

Answer: While Psalms 107:19 assures us that God "saveth them out of their distresses," this does not necessarily imply immediate or always expected deliverance in every circumstance. God's deliverance is certain, but its timing and method are according to His perfect wisdom and purpose. Sometimes, deliverance comes through a miraculous intervention; other times, it manifests as strength to endure, peace in the midst of the storm, or a change in perspective that transforms the "distress" into an opportunity for growth. The ultimate deliverance, for believers, is spiritual and eternal, even if physical circumstances remain challenging. As [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Grace is Sufficient") reminds us, God's grace is often made perfect in our weakness, and His power is displayed through our reliance on Him, rather than through the immediate removal of all difficulties.

**Is this verse only for people who are suffering due to their own sin?**

Answer: While Psalms 107:19 is specifically placed within the section describing those afflicted by their own transgression ([Psalm 107:17](/psalms/107-17 "Psalm 107:17 - Afflicted by Iniquity")), the overarching message of Psalm 107, and the repeated refrain of this verse, applies universally to all who cry out to the Lord in any form of trouble. The psalm presents four distinct scenarios of distress—wandering, imprisonment, sickness (due to sin), and storms at sea—and in each case, the pattern of "cry unto the LORD" and "he saveth them" holds true. Therefore, this verse is a powerful promise of God's responsiveness and deliverance for anyone in distress, regardless of the cause. It highlights God's boundless mercy that extends to all who turn to Him in humility and faith, whether their trouble is self-inflicted or circumstantial, as seen in [Psalm 107:6](/psalms/107-6 "Psalm 107:6 - Deliverance for Wanderers") and [Psalm 107:13](/psalms/107-13 "Psalm 107:13 - Deliverance for Prisoners").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:19 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "cry unto the LORD" for deliverance from "distresses" points forward to the ultimate human distress: sin and death. Humanity's deepest "trouble" is its separation from God, a condition from which no one can deliver themselves. Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), embodies God's perfect response to this cry. His very name, Yeshua (Jesus), means "the LORD saves," directly connecting to the Hebrew word *yasha'* ("saveth") in this verse. On the cross, Jesus Himself cried out to the Father ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry on the Cross")), entering into the ultimate human distress to secure our deliverance. Through His sacrifice and resurrection, He provides the definitive salvation from the "distresses" of sin, guilt, and eternal separation. Now, through Him, we have confident access to the Father, able to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). Thus, every cry for deliverance, whether from physical ailment or spiritual bondage, is ultimately answered and fulfilled in the person and work of Christ, our great Deliverer.

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

Psalms 78:34

When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

Psalms 78:35

And they remembered that God [was] their rock, and the high God their redeemer.

Psalms 34:4

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalms 34:6

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles.

Psalms 30:8

I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.

Psalms 30:12

To the end that [my] glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Psalms 107:6

Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he delivered them out of their distresses.