Psalms 107:34

KJV

A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

KJV (with Strong's)

A fruitful {H6529} land {H776} into barrenness {H4420}, for the wickedness {H7451} of them that dwell {H3427} therein.

Complete Jewish Bible

productive land into salt flats, because the people living there are so wicked.

Berean Standard Bible

and fruitful land into fields of salt, because of the wickedness of its dwellers.

American Standard Version

A fruitful land into a salt desert, For the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 107:34 powerfully articulates God's sovereign prerogative to transform a productive, blessed land into a desolate, barren waste. This dramatic reversal is not arbitrary but is presented as a direct, righteous judgment in response to the pervasive moral corruption and rebellion—the "wickedness"—of its inhabitants. The verse thus serves as a stark reminder of the profound consequences of human sin, demonstrating God's active involvement in the affairs of creation and humanity, and His unwavering commitment to justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 107 is a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving, celebrating God's enduring mercy and deliverance for various groups of people who cried out to Him in distress: wanderers, prisoners, the sick, and those in storms at sea. After recounting these specific examples of divine rescue, the psalm shifts in verses 33-43 to describe God's broader sovereignty over nature and nations. This section operates on a principle of divine reversal, where God can turn rivers into a wilderness and a fruitful land into barrenness (as in verse 34), but also conversely, make the wilderness a pool of water and dry land springs of water (verse 35). This demonstrates God's absolute control over creation and His ability to alter conditions based on His righteous will. The psalm concludes with a call for the wise to observe and understand these works of the Lord, recognizing His lovingkindness, as stated in [Psalms 107:43](/psalms/107-43 "Psalms 107:43 - Understanding God's Lovingkindness"). The verse fits into a larger narrative arc that moves from human distress and divine deliverance to God's cosmic sovereignty and the implications of human behavior.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the fertility of the land was intrinsically linked to divine favor and the moral state of its inhabitants. Agricultural societies were utterly dependent on consistent rainfall and productive soil. Barrenness, drought, and desolation were not merely natural phenomena but were often interpreted as direct manifestations of divine displeasure or judgment. This understanding is deeply embedded in the Mosaic Covenant, particularly in the blessings and curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The land itself was seen as a participant in the covenant, capable of "vomiting out" its inhabitants if they defiled it with wickedness (e.g., [Leviticus 18:24-28](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - Defilement of the Land")). Thus, the transformation of a fruitful land into barrenness would have been understood as a catastrophic and unmistakable sign of God's righteous judgment against a people who had persistently rebelled against Him.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 107:34 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty**, affirming God's absolute power and control over all creation, including the fundamental elements of nature that sustain life. He is not merely an observer but an active participant who intervenes in the natural world. Secondly, it highlights **Divine Justice**, portraying God as a righteous judge who holds humanity accountable for its moral choices. The consequences are not arbitrary but are a direct response to persistent "wickedness." Thirdly, the verse powerfully illustrates the **Consequences of Sin**, emphasizing that human depravity has far-reaching effects, impacting not only individuals but also the environment and society as a whole. The land itself is shown to suffer under the weight of human transgression, a concept echoed throughout the Old Testament, such as when the land "mourns" due to the wickedness of its inhabitants in [Jeremiah 12:4](/jeremiah/12-4 "Jeremiah 12:4 - Land Mourns for Wickedness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fruitful land (Hebrew, _eretz pĕrî'_):** This phrase literally translates to "land of fruit" or "land of produce." It denotes a place of abundance, fertility, and divine blessing, capable of sustaining life and providing prosperity. The imagery evokes a state of flourishing and well-being, often associated with covenant faithfulness and God's provision.
* **Barrenness (Hebrew, _limlēḥāh'_):** Derived from the root _melēḥāh_, meaning "saltiness" or "a salt land." This term signifies utter desolation, sterility, and unproductivity. A "salt land" is incapable of supporting vegetation, rendering it uninhabitable and useless for agriculture. The transformation to "barrenness" implies a complete and irreversible state of ruin, often linked to divine judgment (e.g., the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in [Genesis 19:24-25](/genesis/19-24 "Genesis 19:24-25 - Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah")).
* **Wickedness (Hebrew, _ra'at'_):** This term refers to moral evil, badness, depravity, or mischief. It encompasses a broad range of actions and attitudes that are contrary to God's righteous character and His revealed will. It signifies a state of rebellion, injustice, and corruption that defiles both the individual and the community, provoking divine judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A fruitful land into barrenness":** This clause describes a dramatic and devastating transformation. It is God who performs this action, demonstrating His absolute power over creation. The shift from "fruitful" (a state of blessing and abundance) to "barrenness" (a state of curse and desolation) highlights the severity of the judgment and the complete reversal of fortune. It implies a loss of sustenance, livelihood, and well-being for those dwelling in the land.
* **"for the wickedness of them that dwell therein":** This second clause provides the explicit divine rationale for the transformation. The "barrenness" is not arbitrary or accidental but a direct, just consequence of the moral depravity of the people inhabiting the land. This establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship: human sin provokes divine judgment, which can manifest in the physical environment. The phrase "them that dwell therein" emphasizes corporate responsibility and the pervasive nature of the sin.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Antithesis** is central, contrasting "fruitful land" with "barrenness," which dramatically highlights the reversal of blessing into curse. This stark opposition underscores the severity of God's judgment and His power to effect such a change. There is also a subtle form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where the "land" stands in for the people who inhabit it; the suffering of the land reflects the spiritual and societal decay of its inhabitants. Furthermore, the direct, declarative statement of God's action ("A fruitful land into barrenness") emphasizes **Divine Sovereignty**, portraying God as the active agent of both blessing and judgment. The concise phrasing contributes to its memorable and impactful nature, functioning almost as a proverb or a divine decree.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 107:34 stands as a powerful theological statement on God's justice and the intrinsic connection between human morality and the well-being of creation. It echoes the foundational biblical principle that sin has cosmic consequences, defiling not only humanity but also the very ground upon which they walk. This concept is introduced early in Scripture with the curse on the ground after the Fall in [Genesis 3:17-19](/genesis/3-17 "Genesis 3:17-19 - The Curse on the Ground") and is reiterated throughout the prophetic literature, where the land is depicted as mourning or being desolate because of the iniquity of its inhabitants. God's holiness demands a response to sin, and sometimes that response involves the withdrawal of His sustaining hand, leading to natural consequences that reflect the spiritual barrenness of a people. This verse serves as a sober reminder that God is not indifferent to human wickedness and that His righteous judgment can manifest in tangible ways, even affecting the productivity and vitality of the earth.

* [Genesis 3:17-19](/genesis/3-17 "The Curse on the Ground")
* [Leviticus 26:33-35](/leviticus/26-33 "Desolation of the Land")
* [Jeremiah 12:4](/jeremiah/12-4 "Land Mourns for Wickedness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 107:34 provides a timeless warning and a profound reminder of the interconnectedness of human behavior, divine justice, and the state of the world around us. While we must be cautious not to simplistically attribute every natural disaster to specific sins, the underlying principle remains: pervasive wickedness, injustice, and rebellion against God's ways can lead to tangible decline, not only spiritually and socially but also in our environment. This verse challenges us to consider our collective moral responsibility. Are we cultivating societies marked by righteousness, justice, and stewardship, or are we contributing to a "wickedness" that could lead to various forms of "barrenness"—be it social decay, economic hardship, or environmental degradation? It calls us to accountability, urging individuals and nations to examine their moral choices and turn towards God. Ultimately, understanding God's power to bring desolation also highlights His power to bring blessing and restoration when people turn to Him in repentance and obedience, reminding us that His justice is often a pathway to renewed grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of the relationship between human morality and the natural world?**
* **In what ways might "wickedness" manifest today that could lead to societal or environmental degradation?**
* **What is our responsibility, individually and corporately, in light of God's justice and sovereignty over the land?**

### FAQ
**Is this verse saying that all natural disasters are a direct punishment for specific sins?**

Answer: While Psalms 107:34 clearly links the barrenness of the land to the wickedness of its inhabitants, it's crucial to interpret this within the broader biblical narrative. The Bible teaches a general principle that sin has consequences, and God's judgment can manifest in various ways, including environmental ones. However, it does not imply a simplistic, one-to-one correlation where every specific natural disaster is a direct, immediate punishment for a particular sin committed by those affected. Jesus Himself challenged such a direct correlation in [Luke 13:1-5](/luke/13-1 "Luke 13:1-5 - Repentance and Judgment"), where He refutes the idea that those who suffered a tragic death were "greater sinners." Instead, the verse highlights God's ultimate sovereignty over creation and His righteous response to pervasive, systemic wickedness within a community or nation. It serves as a warning about the cumulative effect of moral decay and God's justice, rather than a diagnostic tool for individual misfortunes.

**Does "barrenness" only refer to physical land, or does it have a broader meaning?**

Answer: Primarily, "barrenness" in this verse refers to the physical desolation and unproductivity of the land, specifically its inability to yield crops or sustain life. This would have been a profoundly devastating consequence for an agrarian society. However, in biblical thought, physical conditions often serve as metaphors for spiritual or societal realities. A land's inability to produce sustenance can symbolize a deeper spiritual barrenness, a lack of spiritual fruit, or a societal breakdown marked by injustice and moral decay. The tangible desolation of the land becomes an outward manifestation of an inward spiritual or moral problem within the people. Thus, while the primary meaning is physical, its implications extend to the spiritual and social health of a community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:34, with its stark portrayal of a fruitful land turning barren due to wickedness, finds its ultimate resolution and reversal in Jesus Christ. Humanity's pervasive "wickedness" brought a curse upon creation (as seen in [Genesis 3:17-19](/genesis/3-17 "Genesis 3:17-19 - The Curse on the Ground")), leading to spiritual and physical barrenness. Yet, Christ, the true Son of God, willingly became the one upon whom the curse fell. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse") declares that "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." He bore the ultimate "barrenness" of sin on the cross, experiencing separation from God so that we, who were spiritually barren, might become fruitful in Him. Through His atoning sacrifice, the power of sin, which brings desolation, is broken. In Christ, believers are made new creations, capable of bearing the fruit of the Spirit ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - Fruit of the Spirit")), transforming their lives from spiritual barrenness to abundant fruitfulness, as Jesus Himself taught in [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ for Fruitfulness"). Ultimately, Christ's work anticipates the full restoration of creation itself, where the groaning of creation under the curse will cease ([Romans 8:19-23](/romans/8-19 "Romans 8:19-23 - Creation Groans for Redemption")), culminating in the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells and there will be no more curse or barrenness ([Revelation 21:1](/rev/21-1 "New Heaven and New Earth")).

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

Genesis 13:10

¶ And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it [was] well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [even] as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

Genesis 14:3

All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.

Ezekiel 47:11

But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.

Genesis 13:13

But the men of Sodom [were] wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

Genesis 19:24

¶ Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

Genesis 19:25

And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

Deuteronomy 29:23

[And that] the whole land thereof [is] brimstone, and salt, [and] burning, [that] it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath: