TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 107:17–22. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
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.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
"And they cried out unto the Lord when they were in trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses" [Psalm 107:19]. And because it was a sickness not to be pleased, "He sent His Word, and healed them."
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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, bringing them out of constriction into spacious freedom.
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), prisoners in darkness (Psalm 107:10-16), the sick afflicted by their own sin (Psalm 107:17-22), and sailors caught in storms (Psalm 107:23-32). 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). 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).
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 redeemer, consistently demonstrating His character as the one who brings His people out of their "narrow places."
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. 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, fulfilling His covenant promises to His people.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
A primitive root meaning "to shriek (from anguish or danger)" or "to announce or convene publicly." This word 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.
A primitive root meaning "to be open, wide or free," or "to free or succor." 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, providing freedom from bondage.
Feminine of a word meaning "narrowness." This term 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. It speaks to the psychological and physical constriction experienced in dire circumstances.
Verse Breakdown
"Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble,"
This clause describes the human response to an unbearable situation. The introductory "Then" connects directly to the preceding verses (specifically Psalm 107:17-18), 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, often implying a tight or narrow situation).
"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 and relief.
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, reinforcing the direct correlation between human appeal and divine response. The verse also functions as a refrain within Psalm 107, appearing with slight variations in Psalm 107:6, Psalm 107:13, Psalm 107:19, and Psalm 107:28. 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, bringing them from constriction to liberation.
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 and manifest His saving power in our lives.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does God always deliver us from our troubles immediately or in the way we expect?
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 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?
While Psalms 107:19 is specifically placed within the section describing those afflicted by their own transgression (Psalm 107:17), 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 and Psalm 107:13.
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, 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), 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). 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 and the source of true and lasting freedom.