Psalms 107:37

KJV

And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.

KJV (with Strong's)

And sow {H2232} the fields {H7704}, and plant {H5193} vineyards {H3754}, which may yield {H6213} fruits {H6529} of increase {H8393}.

Complete Jewish Bible

there they sow fields and plant vineyards, which yield an abundant harvest.

Berean Standard Bible

They sow fields and plant vineyards that yield a fruitful harvest.

American Standard Version

And sow fields, and plant vineyards, And get them fruits of increase.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 107:37 vividly portrays God's transformative power, depicting the restoration of His people from conditions of desolation and wandering to a settled, productive, and prosperous life. This verse highlights divine provision and blessing, enabling those who were once destitute to engage in diligent labor, specifically cultivating fields and planting vineyards, which then yield abundant "fruits of increase," signifying a return to stability, self-sufficiency, and flourishing under God's gracious hand.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 107 is a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving, structured around a recurring refrain that celebrates God's steadfast love and deliverance for various groups in distress: wanderers in the wilderness (vv. 4-9), prisoners (vv. 10-16), the sick (vv. 17-22), and sailors in a storm (vv. 23-32). Following these specific scenarios of deliverance, verses 33-43 broaden the scope to God's overarching sovereignty over nature and human destiny. This section describes how God can turn fertile land into a wilderness due to wickedness (vv. 33-34) and, conversely, transform a wilderness into a fruitful land for the hungry and righteous (vv. 35-36). Verse 37, therefore, serves as the direct outcome and vivid illustration of this divine reversal, portraying the settled and productive life that God grants to those He has delivered and gathered, enabling them to establish homes and cultivate the land. It is a testament to God's complete restoration, not just rescue.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of "sowing fields" and "planting vineyards" is deeply rooted in the agricultural society of ancient Israel, where land cultivation was the primary means of sustenance and a profound symbol of stability, blessing, and covenant fulfillment. For a people whose history included periods of wandering (like the wilderness exodus) and displacement (like the Babylonian exile), the ability to settle, work the land, and enjoy its produce represented the epitome of divine favor and the fulfillment of God's promises. The "fruits of increase" were not merely a bonus but essential for survival and prosperity, reflecting God's direct involvement in blessing their labor. This context underscores the profound significance of God turning a "wilderness into a pool of water" and a "dry land into springs of water" as described in [Psalms 107:35](/psalms/107-35 "Psalm 107:35 - Transforming the Wilderness"), making such agricultural endeavors possible and fruitful.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Provision and Sovereignty**, showcasing God's absolute control over creation and His ability to transform barrenness into abundance, not just for survival but for flourishing. Secondly, it highlights **Restoration and Redemption**, portraying a complete reversal of fortune from desolation and hunger to settlement and productivity, a hallmark of God's redemptive work. This aligns with prophetic visions of a restored land, such as when the desert will "blossom as the rose" in [Isaiah 35:1](/isaiah/35-1 "Isaiah 35:1 - The Wilderness Blossoms"). Thirdly, it underscores the theme of **Human Effort in Partnership with Divine Blessing**. While God provides the land and the capacity, the people are actively engaged in "sow[ing] the fields, and plant[ing] vineyards," illustrating that divine blessing often accompanies and amplifies diligent human labor, ensuring that their efforts are not in vain but yield significant "increase." This partnership is crucial to understanding God's method of working through His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sow (Hebrew, _zâraʻ'_):** This primitive root (H2232) means "to sow," "to disseminate," or "to plant." In this context, it refers to the foundational act of scattering seed in the fields, representing the initial, active, and hopeful engagement of the people in agricultural labor. It signifies diligent effort and foresight, laying the groundwork for future sustenance.
* **Plant (Hebrew, _nâṭaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H5193) means "to strike in" or "to fix," specifically to "plant" trees or vines. Unlike sowing annual crops, planting vineyards is a long-term investment, requiring patience, sustained care, and indicating a settled, stable existence. It suggests a vision for sustained provision and future generations, highlighting a deeper level of security and permanence.
* **Increase (Hebrew, _tᵉbûwʼâh'_):** From the root `bôʼ` (to come in), this word (H8393) refers to "income," "produce," or "yield." In the phrase "fruits of increase," it emphasizes the bountiful return on agricultural labor. It signifies that the yield is not merely sufficient but plentiful, a clear sign of divine blessing and prosperity, demonstrating God's generosity and faithfulness to those He has restored.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And sow the fields":** This clause describes the foundational agricultural activity, indicating that the formerly distressed and wandering people are now settled enough to engage in the consistent and hopeful work of cultivating staple crops. It signifies a return to normalcy, stability, and the ability to plan for the future, rather than living hand-to-mouth or in constant scarcity.
* **"and plant vineyards":** This phrase specifies a more intensive and long-term form of agriculture. Planting vineyards requires significant upfront investment, several years of waiting before the first yield, and ongoing care. Its inclusion highlights a deep sense of security and permanence, suggesting that the people are not just surviving but thriving and establishing a lasting presence in the land, indicative of God's enduring blessing.
* **"which may yield fruits of increase":** This final clause articulates the blessed outcome of their diligent labor. The "fruits of increase" signify a bountiful harvest, far beyond mere subsistence. It is the tangible evidence of God's blessing on their diligent work, demonstrating His faithfulness to provide abundantly for those He has restored and settled. It underscores the divine partnership in their prosperity, where human effort is met with supernatural abundance.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 107:37 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of divine restoration and provision. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid picture of productive agricultural life ("sow the fields," "plant vineyards," "fruits of increase"), which stands in stark **contrast** to the earlier descriptions of barrenness, hunger, and wandering found in the psalm (e.g., the desolation in [Psalms 107:4](/psalms/107-4 "Psalm 107:4 - Wandering in the Wilderness")). This contrast highlights the dramatic transformation wrought by God's intervention. The phrase "fruits of increase" functions as a form of **amplification** or **hyperbole**, suggesting not just a yield, but an abundant and generous return, emphasizing the overflowing nature of God's blessing. Furthermore, the agricultural activities themselves serve as **metonymy** or **synecdoche**, representing the broader concept of a settled, prosperous, and divinely blessed existence, where human effort is met with divine favor and leads to comprehensive flourishing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological heart of Psalms 107:37 lies in God's covenant faithfulness and His sovereign power to reverse human fortunes, bringing flourishing out of desolation. It illustrates that divine restoration is not merely about rescuing people from distress, but also about re-establishing them in a place of productivity and abundance. This verse affirms God's active involvement in the material well-being of His people, blessing their diligent labor and ensuring that their efforts bear fruit. It speaks to a holistic salvation that encompasses physical security and provision, reflecting God's desire for His people to live full and fruitful lives in partnership with Him, demonstrating His goodness and reliability.

* [Deuteronomy 28:12](/deuteronomy/28-12 "Deuteronomy 28:12 - God's Blessing on Labor")
* [Isaiah 65:21-23](/isaiah/65-21-23 "Isaiah 65:21-23 - New Heavens and New Earth")
* [Jeremiah 29:5](/jeremiah/29-5 "Jeremiah 29:5 - Building and Planting in Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 107:37 offers profound encouragement and a powerful framework for understanding God's work in our lives today. It reminds us that even after periods of deep distress, wandering, or spiritual barrenness, God is faithful to bring us into seasons of fruitfulness and stability. This verse calls us to embrace a posture of hopeful diligence, recognizing that while God provides the opportunity and the blessing, He also invites us to actively participate in the work He sets before us. Whether in our vocations, our ministries, or our personal growth, we are called to "sow fields and plant vineyards"—to invest our time, energy, and talents—trusting that God will provide the necessary "increase." It encourages us to persevere through challenging seasons, knowing that God's restorative power can turn any wilderness into a fertile ground for growth and abundance, both materially and spiritually. Our diligent efforts, when offered to Him, are never in vain but can be supernaturally blessed to yield significant fruit for His glory and for the good of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Psalm 107:37 encourage you to trust God's faithfulness during seasons of personal or spiritual barrenness?**
* **In what areas of your life are you called to "sow fields and plant vineyards," actively engaging in work or ministry, while trusting God for the "fruits of increase"?**
* **How does this verse challenge you to partner with God in diligent effort, rather than passively waiting for provision or expecting fruit without labor?**

### FAQ
**What does "fruits of increase" mean for believers today, beyond literal agriculture?**

Answer: For contemporary believers, "fruits of increase" extends beyond a literal agricultural harvest to encompass any form of productive outcome or flourishing that results from our diligent efforts blessed by God. Spiritually, it refers to the spiritual fruit cultivated in our lives through abiding in Christ, as described in [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ"), which includes characteristics like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, as listed in [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - Fruit of the Spirit"). In our vocations and ministries, it signifies success, growth, impact, or provision that goes beyond what our human effort alone could achieve. It speaks to God's supernatural blessing on our work, ensuring that our labor in His kingdom is not in vain but yields significant and abundant returns for His glory and our good.

**Does this verse promise material prosperity to all who follow God?**

Answer: While Psalm 107:37 speaks of material provision and flourishing, it is crucial to interpret it within the broader biblical context and avoid a simplistic "prosperity gospel" understanding. The psalm emphasizes God's restorative power and faithfulness to bring order and stability out of chaos, often through human partnership and diligent effort. It highlights God's ability to provide for His people's needs and enable them to live productive lives, especially after periods of hardship or displacement. It speaks to a general principle of God's blessing on obedience and diligence, but it does not guarantee specific levels of wealth or material abundance for every individual in every circumstance. God's ultimate provision is often spiritual and eternal, and His plans for individuals may involve seasons of both abundance and scarcity, all for His greater purposes, as affirmed in [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God's Provision"). The focus is on faithful provision for life and mission, not necessarily riches.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:37 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the true source of all restoration, life, and fruitfulness. The psalm describes God's power to turn a wilderness into a fertile land, enabling His people to "sow the fields and plant vineyards" and enjoy "fruits of increase." In the New Testament, Jesus declares Himself to be the [true vine](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus the True Vine"), and His followers are the branches. It is only by [abiding in Him](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ") that we can "bear much fruit," fruit that is not merely material but primarily spiritual, embodying the character of God's Spirit as described in [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - Fruit of the Spirit"). He is the one who delivers us from the spiritual wilderness of sin and death, bringing us into a new creation where we are enabled to "sow" seeds of righteousness and "plant" the gospel, trusting in His power for the "increase." Just as Paul understood that "neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth" ([1_corinthians/3-6](/1-corinthians/3-6 "1 Corinthians 3:6 - God Gives the Increase")), so too our spiritual fruitfulness comes from Christ. Through His atoning work, Jesus provides the ultimate restoration, transforming barren hearts into fertile ground for God's kingdom, ensuring that our labor in Him is never in vain and will yield an eternal harvest, providing the [abundant life](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life") He promised.

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

1 Corinthians 3:7

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

2 Corinthians 9:10

Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

Isaiah 37:30

And this [shall be] a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat [this] year such as groweth of itself; and the second year that which springeth of the same: and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.

Zechariah 8:12

For the seed [shall be] prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these [things].

Jeremiah 29:5

Build ye houses, and dwell [in them]; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;

Ezekiel 28:26

And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD their God.

Genesis 26:12

¶ Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.