Psalms 107:28

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

Then they cry {H6817} unto the LORD {H3068} in their trouble {H6862}, and he bringeth them out {H3318} of their distresses {H4691}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Psalms 107:28 beautifully encapsulates a central theme of the entire Psalm: God's unfailing response to His people's desperate cries. This verse highlights the divine pattern of human distress, sincere supplication, and ultimate deliverance.

Context

Psalm 107 is a powerful psalm of thanksgiving, celebrating the LORD's goodness and mercy. It recounts four distinct groups of people who experience various forms of trouble:

  1. Those who wandered in the wilderness (verses 4-9)
  2. Those imprisoned for rebellion (verses 10-16)
  3. Those afflicted by their own foolishness and sin (verses 17-22)
  4. Those who go down to the sea in ships and face terrifying storms (verses 23-32)
Verse 28 specifically falls within the fourth scenario, describing sailors caught in a tempestuous storm where "their soul melted because of trouble" (Psalm 107:26). In each case, the narrative follows a consistent pattern of deliverance: "Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivereth them out of their distresses." This verse reiterates that pattern, emphasizing the immediate and effective nature of God's intervention.

Key Themes

  • The Efficacy of Prayer in Adversity: The verse underscores the power of calling out to God, especially when human strength or solutions fail. It's a direct appeal to the divine, acknowledging complete dependence.
  • Divine Deliverance: God is portrayed as the ultimate rescuer, actively intervening in human affairs to bring relief and salvation from dire circumstances. He is not distant but intimately involved.
  • God's Faithfulness and Mercy: The LORD consistently responds to the cries of those in trouble, demonstrating His compassionate and unwavering character. His readiness to hear and save is a testament to His enduring love.
  • Hope in Despair: Even in the most terrifying situations ("trouble," "distresses"), the verse offers a profound message of hope, pointing to God as the reliable source of rescue.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses evocative language here. "Cry unto the LORD" translates the Hebrew verb tsa'aq (Χ¦Χ’Χ§), which implies an urgent, desperate, and often loud cry for help, not just a casual prayer. It suggests a situation where one is at their wits' end. The words "trouble" (Hebrew: tsarah - Χ¦Χ¨Χ”) and "distresses" (Hebrew: metsarim - ΧžΧ¦Χ¨Χ™Χ) both convey a sense of narrowness, anguish, and being hemmed in by difficulties. The repetition emphasizes the severity of the predicament. "He bringeth them out" (Hebrew: yotsi'em - יוציאם) signifies a powerful act of leading forth or drawing out, akin to delivering someone from bondage or a confined space.

Practical Application

Psalms 107:28 serves as a timeless encouragement for all who face difficult times.

  • A Call to Prayer: It reminds us that our first and most effective response to trouble should be to cry out to the LORD. No situation is too dire, and no cry is unheard by Him.
  • Building Trust: The consistent pattern of deliverance found throughout Psalm 107 reinforces our trust in God's character. Just as He delivered the ancient mariners from the storm, He is able and willing to deliver us from our modern-day troubles.
  • Assurance of God's Presence: Even when we feel overwhelmed and lost, this verse assures us that God is actively present and ready to intervene. His promise to hear and respond is a cornerstone of biblical faith, as seen in Jeremiah 33:3: "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."
This verse offers profound comfort and a clear directive: when in trouble, turn to the Lord; He is faithful to deliver.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 8:25

    And his disciples came to [him], and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

  • Psalms 107:19

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

  • Psalms 107:13

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

  • Acts 27:23

    For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

  • Acts 27:25

    Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

  • Psalms 107:6

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

  • Jonah 1:5

    Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that [were] in the ship into the sea, to lighten [it] of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
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