Psalms 107:36

Psalm 107 is a powerful song of thanksgiving, recounting God's steadfast love and deliverance for various groups of people who cried out to Him in distress. It highlights four specific scenarios of trouble and God's rescue, each followed by a call to praise. Verse 36 specifically focuses on God's transformative power in providing for those who have experienced profound need and desolation.

Context

This verse comes towards the end of Psalm 107, within a section (verses 33-43) that illustrates God's sovereignty over nature and human circumstances. The preceding verses describe how God can turn a fruitful land into a wilderness because of the wickedness of its inhabitants (Psalm 107:34). Conversely, He can transform a wilderness into a fruitful land, making springs of water gush forth (Psalm 107:35). In this context, verse 36 shows the positive outcome of such divine intervention: the desolate are not only fed but also given the opportunity to establish a new, stable existence.

Key Themes

• Divine Provision and Restoration: The verse vividly portrays God's compassionate care for the most vulnerable—"the hungry." He doesn't just provide food; He provides a permanent dwelling place, signifying complete restoration from destitution to security. This reflects God's character as a provider, as seen in many biblical accounts, from feeding the Israelites in the wilderness to the promise of His provision for those who seek His kingdom.
• From Desolation to Dwelling: The transformation from a state of hunger and homelessness to preparing a city signifies a complete reversal of fortune. It speaks to God's ability to bring order out of chaos and flourishing out of barrenness, turning lives around in profound ways.
• Empowerment and Community Building: Importantly, God "maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city." This isn't merely passive reception; it's an active participation in their own restoration. The formerly hungry are empowered to build a stable community, fostering a sense of ownership and belonging. This echoes themes of rebuilding and restoration after periods of hardship, such as the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls by Nehemiah.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "hungry" is re'evim (רעבים), indicating those who are famished or destitute. The phrase "maketh ... to dwell" (וישב - vayyashev) implies God's active role in settling them, bringing them to a place of rest and stability. The instruction "that they may prepare a city" (יכינו עיר - yakinu 'ir) uses a verb that means to establish, make ready, or found. This highlights the purposeful and constructive activity given to those who were once helpless.

Practical Application

Psalm 107:36 offers profound encouragement and challenges for believers today:

• God's Faithfulness: It reminds us that God is actively involved in the lives of the needy and can bring about dramatic transformations from hardship to flourishing. We can trust in His provision, even in our own seasons of "hunger" or desolation, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.
• Empowering the Vulnerable: The verse challenges us to not merely give handouts but to help empower individuals and communities to rebuild and thrive. True compassion often involves equipping others to create sustainable environments for themselves, contributing to the common good and building up society.
• Hope for Rebuilding: For those who feel their lives are in ruins or barren, this verse offers immense hope. God has the power to turn any "wilderness" into a place where a "city for habitation" can be prepared, signifying new beginnings, stability, and purpose.

This verse beautifully encapsulates God's redemptive work, not just in providing for immediate needs but in establishing lasting security and purpose for those who once suffered.