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Psalms 107:35

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He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

He turneth {H7760} the wilderness {H4057} into a standing {H98} water {H4325}, and dry {H6723} ground {H776} into watersprings {H4325}{H4161}.

But he also turns desert into pools of water, dry land into flowing springs;

He turns a desert into pools of water and a dry land into flowing springs.

He turneth a wilderness into a pool of water, And a dry land into watersprings.

Commentary

Psalms 107:35 is a powerful declaration of God's transformative power and benevolent providence, particularly His ability to reverse seemingly impossible situations in the natural world for the benefit of His people.

Context

Psalm 107 is a psalm of thanksgiving, celebrating the LORD's steadfast love and miraculous deliverance of various groups of people from distress. The psalm repeatedly calls for praise to God "for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men." This specific verse falls within a section (verses 33-41) that illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation and human circumstances. He can bring desolation upon fertile lands due to wickedness (verses 33-34), but He can also reverse this, bringing life and abundance to barren places for the sake of the righteous or the repentant (verses 35-38). It highlights God's justice and His mercy, showing that He controls the very elements to fulfill His purposes and provide for His people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Provision: The verse emphasizes God's unique ability to provide life-sustaining resources in the most unlikely and desolate places. It underscores His role as the ultimate Sustainer.
  • Radical Transformation: It speaks to God's power to completely alter circumstances, turning barrenness into fruitfulness, and scarcity into abundance. This transformation is not merely an improvement but a fundamental change from one extreme to another.
  • Hope in Desolation: For those experiencing "wilderness" or "dry ground" in their lives—whether literally or figuratively—this verse offers profound hope that God can intervene and bring refreshing renewal.
  • Sovereignty Over Nature: God's dominion extends to the physical world, allowing Him to manipulate natural elements to achieve His divine will, demonstrating His unparalleled power.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translation captures the essence of the Hebrew.

  • The word for "wilderness" (Hebrew: מִדְבָּר, midbar) typically refers to a desolate, often dry, uncultivated region.
  • "Standing water" (Hebrew: אֲגַם־מַיִם, agam-mayim) denotes a pool or marsh, a place where water collects and remains, signifying a permanent source of refreshment.
  • "Dry ground" (Hebrew: צִמָּאוֹן, tzimma'on) conveys the idea of parched, thirsty land.
  • "Watersprings" (Hebrew: מוֹצָאֵי־מַיִם, motza'ei-mayim) refers to sources of water emerging from the ground, symbolizing new, flowing life.
The strong contrast between these terms highlights the miraculous nature of God's intervention: from absolute barrenness to overflowing life.

Reflection and Application

Psalms 107:35 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and omnipotence. In our own lives, we may face "wilderness" experiences—periods of hardship, scarcity, emotional barrenness, or spiritual dryness. This verse encourages us to look to God, who has the power to transform these desolate places into vibrant, life-giving oases. It speaks to God's miraculous provision in the wilderness, echoing events like when He provided water from the rock for the Israelites. Just as He sustained His people physically, He can also bring spiritual refreshment and renewal to our souls. This divine transformation is a powerful symbol of God's ability to bring new life and renewal even in the most desolate situations, demonstrating His profound love and care for His creation.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 114:8 (13 votes)

    Which turned the rock [into] a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

  • Isaiah 35:6 (11 votes)

    Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

  • Isaiah 35:7 (11 votes)

    And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, [shall be] grass with reeds and rushes.

  • Isaiah 41:17 (10 votes)

    [When] the poor and needy seek water, and [there is] none, [and] their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

  • Isaiah 41:19 (10 votes)

    I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, [and] the pine, and the box tree together:

  • Isaiah 44:3 (9 votes)

    For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

  • Isaiah 44:5 (9 votes)

    One shall say, I [am] the LORD'S; and another shall call [himself] by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe [with] his hand unto the LORD, and surname [himself] by the name of Israel.