


Psalms 107:39
Bible Versions
Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
When their numbers fall, and they grow weak, because of oppression, disaster and sorrow,
When they are decreased and humbled by oppression, evil, and sorrow,
Again, they are diminished and bowed down Through oppression, trouble, and sorrow.
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2 Kings 10:32
In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel; -
Exodus 2:23
¶ And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. -
Exodus 2:24
And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. -
Judges 6:3
And [so] it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; -
Judges 6:6
And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD. -
2 Chronicles 15:5
And in those times [there was] no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations [were] upon all the inhabitants of the countries. -
2 Chronicles 15:6
And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.
Psalms 107:39 (KJV) states, "Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow." This verse highlights a stark reversal of fortune, emphasizing the vulnerability of human prosperity and the profound impact of hardship or divine judgment.
Context
Psalms 107 is primarily a psalm of thanksgiving, celebrating God's steadfast love and deliverance of various groups from distress: wanderers, prisoners, the sick, and sailors caught in storms (Psalms 107:4-32). Following these specific examples, the psalm shifts to God's general sovereignty over the land and nations. Verses 35-38 describe how God can transform wilderness into fruitful land and multiply people, providing for the hungry. Verse 39 then presents a contrasting scenario, reminding us that God also has the power to diminish and humble populations, often due to their unrighteousness or external forces like oppression. It serves as a somber counterpoint to the prosperity previously described, illustrating the full spectrum of God's sovereign control over human affairs and national destinies, a common theme in the biblical narrative of covenant blessings and curses that shaped Israel's history.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew terms used convey a powerful sense of decline and distress:
Practical Application
Psalms 107:39 offers several enduring lessons for believers today: