Psalms 107:38

KJV

He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.

KJV (with Strong's)

He blesseth {H1288} them also, so that they are multiplied {H7235} greatly {H3966}; and suffereth {H4591} not their cattle {H929} to decrease {H4591}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He blesses them, their numbers grow, and he doesn't let their livestock decrease.

Berean Standard Bible

He blesses them, and they multiply greatly; He does not let their herds diminish.

American Standard Version

He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; And he suffereth not their cattle to decrease.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 107:38 offers a profound declaration of God's active and bountiful provision for His people, particularly those who have turned to Him in distress and experienced His deliverance. It highlights a holistic blessing that encompasses both demographic growth ("multiplied greatly") and material prosperity ("suffereth not their cattle to decrease"), underscoring the Lord's faithful commitment to sustain and increase the well-being of those He favors, ensuring their security and flourishing in every aspect of life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 107 is a grand psalm of thanksgiving, structured around a recurring refrain ("Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"). It vividly portrays four distinct groups of people in dire circumstances—wanderers in the wilderness, prisoners in darkness, those afflicted by their own sin, and mariners facing storms—each crying out to the Lord and experiencing His miraculous deliverance. Following these narratives of rescue, the psalm shifts in verses 33-43 to illustrate God's sovereign control over the natural world and human societies. He can turn fruitful land into a barren wilderness due to the wickedness of its inhabitants, or conversely, transform a desolate wilderness into a fertile habitation for the humble and hungry. Verse 38 specifically falls within this latter section, showcasing God's power to bless and prosper those whom He has settled and delivered, providing a stark contrast to the desolation described earlier and emphasizing the tangible outcomes of His favor.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, prosperity was often understood as a tangible sign of God's blessing and covenant faithfulness, while barrenness or decline could signify divine displeasure or judgment. The economy was primarily agrarian, making livestock ("cattle" or "flocks and herds") a direct measure of wealth, sustenance, and security. A large family and numerous descendants were also considered a profound blessing, fulfilling the original divine command to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate")). Therefore, the blessings described in Psalms 107:38—multiplication of people and increase of livestock—were not merely abstract spiritual concepts but concrete, vital indicators of well-being and divine favor in the socio-economic reality of the time. This context underscores the deep significance of God's active preservation against decrease, protecting His people from the devastating impacts of famine, disease, or loss that could cripple an ancient community.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 107 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Provision and Sovereignty**, asserting God as the ultimate source of all prosperity, whether demographic or material. His blessing is not passive but an active, empowering force that ensures the flourishing of His people. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant**, echoing promises of blessing for obedience found throughout the Pentateuch, such as those in [Deuteronomy 28:11](/deuteronomy/28-11 "Deuteronomy 28:11 - Blessings of Obedience"). The "multiplied greatly" aspect connects to the **Fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant**, where God promised Abraham countless descendants ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham")). Finally, the verse underscores **Holistic Blessing**, demonstrating that God's care extends beyond the spiritual to encompass every practical aspect of life, including family growth, economic stability, and physical security, illustrating His comprehensive concern for His people's well-being.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blesseth (Hebrew, _bārak'_):** This verb signifies more than just a wish for good; it denotes an active bestowal of favor, power, and prosperity. When God blesses, He empowers for fruitfulness and success. Here, it indicates God's direct, intentional action to confer abundance upon His people, making them capable of increasing and flourishing.
* **Multiplied (Hebrew, _rāḇāh'_):** Meaning "to be or become numerous, abundant, or great," this term conveys a sense of overflowing, exponential growth, particularly in terms of population or progeny. In the context of ancient Israel, a large family was a sign of great favor and a key component of national strength and continuity.
* **Cattle (Hebrew, _miqneh'_):** This is a comprehensive term for all forms of livestock, including flocks (sheep and goats) and herds (cattle). In an agrarian society, _miqneh_ represented the primary form of wealth, capital, and sustenance. Its increase or decrease directly impacted a family's or community's economic viability and survival.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly;":** This clause establishes God as the divine benefactor. The blessing is not merely spiritual but manifests in tangible, demographic growth. "Multiplied greatly" speaks to an abundance of descendants, a key marker of prosperity and divine favor in the ancient Near East, reflecting God's original command to humanity to "be fruitful and multiply" ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate")). It implies a thriving community, robust and expanding.
* **"and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.":** This second clause complements the first by addressing material wealth and economic stability. In an agrarian society, livestock was paramount. "Suffereth not... to decrease" (literally, "does not make few") emphasizes God's active preservation and protection of their assets. It implies divine intervention against disease, famine, theft, or other calamities that could diminish their vital resources, ensuring ongoing sustenance and security.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices. **Parallelism** is evident in the two clauses, where the blessing of human multiplication is paralleled by the blessing of animal increase, reinforcing the holistic nature of God's provision. The use of **Hyperbole** in "multiplied greatly" (though not strictly hyperbole, it conveys an overflowing abundance) emphasizes the extraordinary extent of God's blessing. The phrase "suffereth not their cattle to decrease" uses **Litotes** (an understatement where an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite) to powerfully convey God's active preservation; instead of saying He *increases* their cattle, it states He *prevents* their decrease, implying a constant, watchful care that ensures stability and growth. This also functions as a form of **Merism**, where two distinct but related aspects (human population and animal wealth) are mentioned to represent the totality of a community's prosperity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 107:38 beautifully illustrates the biblical truth that God is not only concerned with the spiritual well-being of His people but also with their physical and material flourishing. This holistic view of blessing is deeply rooted in the covenant promises, where obedience often led to tangible prosperity in the land, abundant harvests, and numerous descendants. It speaks to God's character as a generous provider who delights in the welfare of His children, actively working to ensure their increase and protect their resources. This divine provision is not earned but flows from His mercy and faithfulness, particularly to those who acknowledge their dependence on Him.
* [Deuteronomy 28:11](/deuteronomy/28-11 "Deuteronomy 28:11 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [Proverbs 10:22](/proverbs/10-22 "Proverbs 10:22 - The Lord's Blessing")
* [Malachi 3:10](/malachi/3-10 "Malachi 3:10 - Tithing and Blessing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 107:38 serves as a powerful reminder that God's care for His people is comprehensive, extending to every facet of their lives, from family growth to economic stability. In a world often marked by scarcity, uncertainty, and decline, this verse offers a profound message of hope and assurance. It calls us to trust in God as our ultimate provider, recognizing that true prosperity, both spiritual and material, flows from His benevolent hand. This doesn't promise a life free from all challenges, but it assures us of God's active involvement in sustaining us, preventing our ultimate ruin, and even causing us to flourish. It encourages a posture of gratitude for all that we have and a faithful dependence on Him for all that we need, knowing that His blessings are designed to enable us to thrive and bear witness to His goodness in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you most need to experience God's "multiplication" or "prevention of decrease"?**
* **How does recognizing God as the source of all prosperity (both spiritual and material) impact your attitude towards your resources and possessions?**
* **What practical steps can you take to acknowledge God's sovereignty over your family and finances, trusting Him for increase and preservation?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse promise material wealth to all believers?**

Answer: While Psalms 107:38 clearly depicts material prosperity and demographic growth as signs of God's blessing for His people in a specific historical and cultural context, it's crucial to interpret this verse within the broader biblical narrative. The Old Testament often links obedience to tangible blessings, including material prosperity, as part of the covenant with Israel in the Promised Land ([Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). However, the New Testament introduces a deeper understanding of blessing, emphasizing spiritual riches in Christ ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")) and a call to contentment regardless of material circumstances ([Philippians 4:11-13](/philippians/4-11 "Philippians 4:11-13 - Contentment in Christ")). While God certainly cares for our physical needs and can bless us materially, this verse should not be interpreted as a blanket promise of guaranteed wealth for every individual believer today. Instead, it underscores God's character as a generous provider who sustains His people, often in ways that far exceed mere material accumulation, ensuring their ultimate well-being and purpose in His kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:38 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who embodies the fullness of God's blessing and provision for His people. While the psalm speaks of physical multiplication and material increase in the Old Covenant, Christ inaugurates a new spiritual reality where true blessing transcends earthly measures. He is the ultimate "blessing" through whom all the promises of God find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Christ multiplies believers not by physical progeny alone, but by spiritual rebirth, bringing countless sons and daughters into God's family ([John 1:12-13](/john/1-12 "John 1:12-13 - Children of God")). He is the Good Shepherd who ensures His flock does not decrease but is sustained in every way, providing spiritual food and living water so that they "shall not want" ([Psalm 23:1](/psalms/23-1 "Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is My Shepherd")). The "cattle" or material assets of the Old Covenant find their spiritual counterpart in the abundant grace, peace, and righteousness that believers possess in Christ, which are treasures that "moth and rust do not destroy" ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Treasures in Heaven")). Thus, in Christ, God blesses His people with an eternal, inexhaustible abundance that far surpasses any earthly increase, ensuring their spiritual multiplication and preventing any decrease in their eternal inheritance.

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

Exodus 1:7

And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

Genesis 12:2

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Genesis 17:20

And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

Deuteronomy 30:9

And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:

Psalms 128:1

¶ A Song of degrees. Blessed [is] every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

Psalms 128:6

Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, [and] peace upon Israel.

Deuteronomy 7:14

Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.