¶ He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
He turneth {H7760} rivers {H5104} into a wilderness {H4057}, and the watersprings {H4325}{H4161} into dry ground {H6774};
He turns rivers into desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground,
He turns rivers into deserts, springs of water into thirsty ground,
He turneth rivers into a wilderness, And watersprings into a thirsty ground;
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Isaiah 50:2
Wherefore, when I came, [was there] no man? when I called, [was there] none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because [there is] no water, and dieth for thirst. -
Isaiah 42:15
I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. -
Amos 4:7
And also I have withholden the rain from you, when [there were] yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered. -
Amos 4:8
So two [or] three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. -
Isaiah 44:27
That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers: -
Isaiah 19:5
And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up. -
Isaiah 19:10
And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices [and] ponds for fish.
Psalms 107:33, "He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground," is a powerful declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over creation, particularly the natural elements crucial for life.
Context
This verse is part of a larger section in Psalm 107 (verses 33-43) that highlights God's dominion over nature and human societies. The psalm begins by recounting God's deliverance of various groups from distress, then shifts to demonstrate His power to alter landscapes and fortunes. It shows that God can both bless with abundance and bring desolation, often as a consequence of human actions or as a display of His majestic power. This specific verse contrasts sharply with later verses in the same psalm, such as Psalms 107:35, where God turns the wilderness into pools of water, emphasizing His complete control over all circumstances.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "turneth" is hāpak (הָפַךְ), which conveys a strong sense of overturning, changing, or transforming. It's a decisive and powerful action, not a gradual process. "Wilderness" is midbār (מִדְבָּר), referring to a desolate, often uninhabitable desert area, not just uncultivated land. "Watersprings" is motsa' mayim (מוֹצָא מַיִם), literally "outflow of water," emphasizing the source of life-sustaining water. The use of these terms reinforces the dramatic and comprehensive nature of God's transformative power.
Practical Application
For believers, Psalms 107:33 serves as a profound reminder of God's omnipotence and control over all aspects of existence. It should inspire: