Psalms 107:39

KJV

Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.

KJV (with Strong's)

Again, they are minished {H4591} and brought low {H7817} through oppression {H6115}, affliction {H7451}, and sorrow {H3015}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When their numbers fall, and they grow weak, because of oppression, disaster and sorrow,

Berean Standard Bible

When they are decreased and humbled by oppression, evil, and sorrow,

American Standard Version

Again, they are diminished and bowed down Through oppression, trouble, and sorrow.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 107:39 presents a stark counterpoint to the preceding verses of divine blessing and prosperity, illustrating God's sovereign power to reverse fortunes. It describes a state of severe decline where people are diminished in number and status, humbled and abased, not by chance but through the tangible experiences of external oppression, internal affliction, and profound sorrow. This verse serves as a sobering reminder of the transient nature of human prosperity and the multifaceted ways in which hardship, often stemming from unrighteousness or divine judgment, can impact individuals and communities, underscoring the psalmist's overarching theme of God's complete control over human destiny.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 107 is a grand psalm of thanksgiving, structured around a refrain repeated four times, celebrating God's deliverance of various groups from distress: wanderers in the wilderness, prisoners in darkness, the sick near death, and sailors in storms (e.g., [Psalms 107:4-9](/psalms/107-4 "Psalms 107:4-9 - God Delivers Wanderers")). Each section details their desperate cry to the Lord and His subsequent miraculous rescue. Following these specific examples of individual and group deliverance (up to [Psalms 107:32](/psalms/107-32 "Psalms 107:32 - Call to Praise God in the Congregation")), the psalm shifts to a broader declaration of God's sovereignty over the natural world and human societies. Verses [Psalms 107:33-38](/psalms/107-33 "Psalms 107:33-38 - God's Sovereignty Over Nature and Nations") describe God's power to transform landscapes—turning fertile land into wilderness and vice versa—and to bless the hungry with cities, fruitful fields, and multiplied offspring. Verse 39 then introduces a dramatic **contrast** to this picture of flourishing, depicting a reversal of fortune where people are diminished and brought low, thereby showcasing the full spectrum of God's providential control, both in blessing and in allowing or orchestrating hardship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm reflects the historical experiences of ancient Israel, particularly the cycles of blessing and judgment described in the Mosaic Covenant. The concept of God blessing obedience with prosperity and punishing disobedience with hardship, including famine, exile, and oppression by enemies, is a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). The "oppression" mentioned in verse 39 could refer to foreign domination, internal tyranny, or the general hardships faced by a people who have strayed from God's ways. The "minishing" and "bringing low" would have been tangible realities in a pre-industrial society where population decline due to disease, war, or famine was a constant threat, and where a loss of status or power could mean severe economic and social vulnerability. The psalm's audience would have readily understood these reversals as manifestations of divine providence, whether as discipline or as a test of faith.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 107:39 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating that God is not only the source of all blessing and prosperity (as seen in [Psalms 107:35-38](/psalms/107-35 "Psalms 107:35-38 - God's Blessing and Provision")), but also the one who permits or orchestrates decline and hardship. This highlights His comprehensive control over human affairs and national destinies. Secondly, the verse speaks to the **Transient Nature of Human Prosperity**, serving as a potent reminder that even those who have experienced God's abundant provision can face severe diminishment. This aligns with wisdom literature's emphasis on the fleetingness of earthly success. Thirdly, while not explicitly stating the cause, the verse implicitly connects to the theme of **Consequences of Unrighteousness**, as the broader biblical context often links societal suffering and national decline to a departure from God's covenant. Finally, it acknowledges the stark **Reality of Suffering**, affirming that oppression, affliction, and sorrow are genuine and impactful experiences within the human condition, even under the watchful eye of a sovereign God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Minished (Hebrew, _ma'at'_):** This verb (מָעַט) signifies to be made few, to diminish in number, quantity, or substance. It implies a reduction from a previous state of abundance or multitude. In the context of a nation or people, it speaks to population decline, loss of resources, or a decrease in influence and power. It conveys a sense of dwindling, a stark reversal from growth and flourishing.
* **Brought low (Hebrew, _shafal'_):** This verb (שָׁפַל) means to be humbled, abased, or put in a low state. It often refers to a loss of status, dignity, power, or social standing. While "minished" might refer to numerical reduction, "brought low" speaks more to a qualitative decline in honor, influence, or position. Together, they paint a comprehensive picture of decline—both in size and significance.
* **Oppression (Hebrew, _`otser'_):** This noun (עֹצֶר) denotes restraint, coercion, or tyrannical rule that restricts freedom and causes distress. It can refer to external forces like invading armies or internal corruption and injustice that weigh heavily on a populace. It highlights a lack of liberty and the burdensome experience of being under a dominating power.
* **Affliction (Hebrew, _yagown'_):** This noun (יָגוֹן) refers to deep grief, sorrow, or intense pain. It describes an internal, emotional, and often spiritual anguish that accompanies hardship. Unlike "oppression" which is external, "affliction" points to the profound suffering experienced by individuals or a community from within.
* **Sorrow (Hebrew, _`anachah'_):** This noun (אֲנָחָה) describes groaning, sighing, or mourning. It is the outward expression of deep distress and pain, often a lament or a cry of anguish. This word emphasizes the audible and visible manifestations of the suffering described by "affliction," completing the picture of profound human misery.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Again, they are minished":** The word "Again" (וַיִּמְעֲטוּ) acts as a strong adversative, indicating a sharp reversal or counterpoint to the preceding verses that describe multiplication and prosperity. "Minished" refers to a reduction in number, population, or resources, signifying a decline from a state of flourishing. This clause highlights a quantitative decrease, a dwindling of what was once abundant.
* **"and brought low":** This phrase complements "minished" by adding a qualitative dimension to the decline. "Brought low" implies humiliation, abasement, or a loss of social standing, power, and dignity. It speaks to a state of being humbled or degraded, not just numerically smaller but also less significant or influential.
* **"through oppression":** This identifies one of the primary external causes of their diminished state. "Oppression" refers to the coercive, tyrannical, or burdensome rule of others, whether foreign invaders, unjust rulers, or societal forces that restrict freedom and cause suffering. This points to external pressures and injustices as catalysts for their decline.
* **"affliction":** This term points to the deep internal suffering, grief, and pain experienced by the people. It is the emotional and spiritual anguish that accompanies hardship, a profound distress that goes beyond mere external circumstances. It speaks to the burden on the soul.
* **"and sorrow":** This final term describes the outward manifestation of the internal pain. "Sorrow" refers to groaning, sighing, or mourning, the audible and visible expressions of profound distress and lament. This word completes the picture of suffering, showing its impact on the individual's emotional and physical well-being, leading to a state of deep lamentation.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 107:39 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of reversal and suffering. The most prominent is **Contrast** or **Antithesis**, as this verse stands in stark opposition to the preceding verses (35-38) which depict God's power to transform wilderness into fertile land and multiply people. This abrupt shift from blessing and abundance to diminishment and distress serves to underscore the psalmist's point about God's comprehensive sovereignty over both prosperity and adversity. Furthermore, the phrase "minished and brought low" utilizes **Synonymous Parallelism**, where two distinct but closely related phrases convey the same core idea of decline and humiliation, thereby intensifying the impact. The final part of the verse, "oppression, affliction, and sorrow," forms a **Tricolon** or a list of three, a common rhetorical device that provides a sense of completeness and cumulative impact, detailing the multifaceted nature of the suffering experienced by the people. This rhythmic enumeration emphasizes the pervasive and comprehensive nature of their distress.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 107:39 serves as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty, not only in bestowing blessings but also in permitting or orchestrating hardship. It reminds us that prosperity is not guaranteed and can be reversed, often as a consequence of human unrighteousness or as part of a divine plan for discipline, testing, or purification. This verse highlights the cyclical nature of human experience under God's providence, moving between periods of flourishing and decline. It underscores the biblical truth that God is actively involved in the rise and fall of nations and individuals, and that suffering, in its various forms of oppression, internal affliction, and outward sorrow, is a real and often divinely permitted aspect of life in a fallen world. Yet, within the broader context of Psalms 107, even this stark reality of suffering is framed by the ultimate hope in God's power to deliver those who cry out to Him.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Job 12:21](/job/12-21 "Job 12:21 - God Humbles the Mighty")
* [Lamentations 3:32](/lamentations/3-32 "Lamentations 3:32 - Though He Brings Grief, He Will Show Compassion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 107:39 offers a sobering yet ultimately hopeful perspective for contemporary believers. In a world that often equates divine favor solely with material prosperity, this verse provides a crucial corrective, reminding us that God's sovereignty extends to periods of diminishment and hardship. It calls us to cultivate humility in times of blessing, recognizing that all good things come from God and can be withdrawn or tested. When we encounter "oppression, affliction, and sorrow," whether personally or communally, this verse validates the reality of such suffering and encourages us to look beyond immediate circumstances to God's larger purposes. It prompts us to consider if such trials are a call to repentance, a means of discipline, or an opportunity for deeper reliance on God. Just as the earlier sections of Psalms 107 demonstrate God's readiness to deliver those who cry out to Him from various troubles, this verse implicitly invites us to seek God's face in all seasons, trusting that even in our lowest points, His ultimate purpose is redemptive, turning mourning into dancing and sorrow into joy for those who trust in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the reality of "minished and brought low" challenge my understanding of God's providence in my own life or in the world around me?**
* **In what ways might "oppression, affliction, and sorrow" serve as catalysts for spiritual growth or a deeper reliance on God?**
* **How can I maintain a posture of humility and dependence on God, even in times of prosperity, remembering the message of this verse?**
* **What is my immediate response when faced with significant hardship, and how can the broader message of Psalms 107 encourage me to cry out to the Lord?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that all suffering is a direct punishment from God for sin?**

Answer: While the broader biblical context, particularly the Deuteronomic covenant, often links national decline and suffering to disobedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")), this specific verse in Psalms 107:39 does not explicitly state that the "oppression, affliction, and sorrow" are solely a direct punishment for sin. It describes a state of diminishment and hardship that God permits or orchestrates as part of His sovereign control over human affairs. Suffering in the Bible can have multiple purposes: it can be a consequence of sin, a form of divine discipline, a test of faith (as seen in [Job](/job/1 "Job 1 - Satan Tests Job")), or simply a reality of living in a fallen world. The psalm's overall message emphasizes God's power to deliver from *any* distress, regardless of its origin, when people cry out to Him (e.g., [Psalms 107:6](/psalms/107-6 "Psalms 107:6 - They Cried to the Lord")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:39, with its stark portrayal of diminishment and suffering, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the verse speaks of a people brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow, Christ willingly embraced this very path for the redemption of humanity. He was "minished" in His incarnation, emptying Himself of divine glory to take on human form ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ Emptied Himself")). He was "brought low" through His life of humility, rejection, and ultimately, His crucifixion, enduring the ultimate oppression of sin and death ([Isaiah 53:3-5](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - The Suffering Servant")). The "affliction and sorrow" of humanity culminated in His agony in Gethsemane and on the cross, where He bore the full weight of the world's sin and its consequences, experiencing a depth of suffering unimaginable to us ([Matthew 26:38-39](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38-39 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")). Yet, it is precisely through this voluntary "minishing and bringing low" that Christ achieved our deliverance. His suffering turned our sorrow into eternal joy, His death conquered the ultimate oppression of sin, and His resurrection brought us from spiritual diminishment to abundant life ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Life Abundant")). Thus, Jesus is the ultimate answer to the cries of the afflicted, the one who transforms the deepest sorrow into the greatest salvation, fulfilling the psalmist's hope for divine intervention and ultimate restoration.

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

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.