Psalms 107:4

KJV

They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

KJV (with Strong's)

They wandered {H8582} in the wilderness {H4057} in a solitary {H3452} way {H1870}; they found {H4672} no city {H5892} to dwell {H4186} in.

Complete Jewish Bible

They wandered in the desert, on paths through the wastes, without finding any inhabited city.

Berean Standard Bible

Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no path to a city in which to dwell.

American Standard Version

They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way; They found no city of habitation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 107:4 vividly portrays the desperate plight of a group of people lost and disoriented in a desolate wilderness, lacking any secure place of refuge. This verse introduces the first of four scenarios of human distress within the psalm, encapsulating a profound sense of isolation, vulnerability, and the absence of basic security, thereby setting the stage for God's merciful intervention and deliverance. It speaks to the universal human experience of feeling lost and without a home, highlighting the profound need for divine guidance and provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 107 is a wisdom psalm characterized by a powerful, recurring liturgical pattern of distress, crying out to the Lord, divine deliverance, and a subsequent call to give thanks. This structure is marked by a four-fold repetition of the refrain, "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress" (e.g., [Psalm 107:6](/psalms/107-6 "Psalm 107:6 - Crying Out to the Lord")). Verse 4 initiates the first of these four vignettes, describing those lost and wandering in the wilderness. This group is followed by those imprisoned in darkness ([Psalm 107:10](/psalms/107-10 "Psalm 107:10 - Prisoners in Darkness")), the sick afflicted by their folly ([Psalm 107:17](/psalms/107-17 "Psalm 107:17 - Fools Afflicted")), and finally, those imperiled by a storm at sea ([Psalm 107:23](/psalms/107-23 "Psalm 107:23 - Seafarers in a Storm")). Each distinct scenario illustrates a different facet of human helplessness and vulnerability, consistently highlighting God's unwavering faithfulness and compassion toward those who call upon Him in their time of need. The psalm culminates in a general call to wisdom and reflection upon the Lord's steadfast love.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of wandering in the wilderness (מִדְבָּר, _midbar_) immediately brings to mind the forty-year journey of the Israelites after their miraculous Exodus from Egypt, a period extensively chronicled in books such as [Numbers](/numbers/1 "The Book of Numbers - Wilderness Wanderings") and [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "The Book of Deuteronomy - Moses' Farewell Speeches"). This prolonged sojourn was defined by extreme hardship, a nomadic existence without settled habitation, and an absolute dependence on divine provision for sustenance, water, and direction. In the ancient Near East, the "wilderness" was not merely an empty expanse but a perilous, arid region, frequently associated with divine testing, purification, and sometimes judgment. To be "without a city to dwell in" signified a complete absence of security, community, and the fundamental protection that settled life afforded. It represented a state of utter vulnerability, homelessness, and deprivation, deeply feared and understood as a severe affliction.

* **Key Themes:** Psalm 107:4 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Human Helplessness and Vulnerability**, depicting a state of profound disorientation and utter lack of self-sufficiency. Secondly, it highlights the crucial **Need for Divine Guidance and Provision**, as the lost wanderers are entirely dependent on an external, supernatural source for direction and sustenance in their barren environment. The "wilderness" itself serves as a potent **Symbol of Trial and Testing**, a crucible where human resources and ingenuity inevitably fail, thereby forcing an exclusive reliance upon God. Finally, by setting the stage for God's subsequent, miraculous intervention, the verse anticipates the overarching theme of **God's Steadfast Love (Hesed) and Deliverance**, demonstrating His profound compassion for those in desperate need. This theme resonates throughout the psalms and prophetic literature, finding echoes in passages like [Isaiah 43:19-20](/isaiah/43-19 "Isaiah 43:19-20 - God Makes a Way in the Wilderness"), where God promises to make a way in the desert.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wandered (Hebrew, _tâʻâh'_):** From H8582, this verb signifies to vacillate, reel, or stray, whether literally or figuratively. In the context of Psalm 107:4, it primarily conveys physical aimlessness and disorientation, emphasizing the utter helplessness of those without a guide or fixed destination. It suggests a deviation from a proper or intended path, highlighting a lack of direction and purpose.
* **Wilderness (Hebrew, _midbâr'_):** From H4057, this term refers to a pasture or open field where cattle are driven, but by implication, it denotes a desert. It describes an uninhabited, arid, and often dangerous region. While sometimes a place of divine encounter, here it primarily emphasizes desolation, hardship, and the absence of human civilization or resources, underscoring a precarious existence.
* **Solitary (Hebrew, _yᵉshîymôwn'_):** From H3452, this word means a desolation or desert, often translated as "solitary" or "wilderness." When combined with "way" (H1870, _derek_), it intensifies the sense of desolation conveyed by _midbâr_. The phrase "solitary way" (literally, "a way of desolation") underscores extreme isolation, barrenness, and the terrifying emptiness of their journey, highlighting their vulnerability and the absence of any signs of life or help.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way;":** This initial clause paints a stark and vivid picture of individuals or a group physically lost and disoriented. The verb "wandered" (from _tâʻâh'_) conveys aimlessness, a lack of purpose, and an inability to find a clear path. The setting "in the wilderness" (from _midbâr'_) immediately establishes an environment of harshness, danger, and a severe lack of natural resources. The intensifying phrase "in a solitary way" (from _yᵉshîymôwn'_), literally "a way of desolation," further emphasizes extreme isolation and barrenness. This implies a path utterly devoid of companionship, landmarks, or any indication of civilization, leaving the wanderers utterly alone and exposed to the elements and inherent dangers of the wild. This state of being lost and alone in a barren land is a profound expression of human vulnerability and desperation.
* **"they found no city to dwell in.":** This second clause directly articulates the dire consequence of their aimless wandering: a complete absence of refuge, security, or permanence. In the ancient world, a "city" (from _ʻîyr'_) represented safety, community, provision, and stability – the very foundations of settled human existence. To find "no city to dwell in" means they were utterly homeless, without a settled place to rest, gather resources, or find protection from the elements or potential enemies. This condition speaks to a deep, unfulfilled human need for belonging, security, and a place to call home, underscoring their precarious and desperate existence, devoid of any stable foundation.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 107:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey the profound depth of the wanderers' plight. **Imagery** is central, painting a stark and evocative picture of desolation with phrases like "wilderness" and "solitary way," which immediately conjure mental images of arid, barren landscapes and profound isolation. The **Symbolism** of the "wilderness" is exceptionally powerful, representing not merely a physical location but a spiritual or existential state of trial, testing, and consequence, where human self-reliance inevitably fails. There is a clear, implicit **Parallelism** between the first clause, "They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way," which describes their aimless journey, and the second, "they found no city to dwell in," which describes its direct, devastating consequence—the absence of a home. This structural mirroring creates a sense of escalating despair and highlights the direct link between their wandering and their homelessness. The language also borders on **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme nature of their predicament to heighten the reader's understanding of their desperation, which, in turn, magnifies the eventual divine deliverance described later in the psalm.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The plight described in Psalm 107:4 resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative of humanity's spiritual journey. Just as the Israelites experienced physical wandering and homelessness in the desert, humanity, since the Fall, has been in a spiritual wilderness, alienated from God and searching for true rest and belonging. This verse speaks to the universal human condition of feeling lost, disoriented, and without a permanent home in a fallen world. It underscores the profound need for divine intervention to guide us through life's desolate paths and provide the ultimate refuge. The wilderness experience, while challenging and often painful, frequently serves as a crucible where faith is tested, human self-sufficiency is exposed as insufficient, and dependence on God is forged, ultimately revealing His faithfulness and provision even in the most barren circumstances.

* [Deuteronomy 8:2-4](/deuteronomy/8-2-4 "Deuteronomy 8:2-4 - God's Provision and Testing in the Wilderness")
* [Isaiah 43:19-20](/isaiah/43-19-20 "Isaiah 43:19-20 - God Makes a Way in the Wilderness")
* [Hebrews 11:13-16](/hebrews/11-13-16 "Hebrews 11:13-16 - Pilgrims Seeking a Heavenly City")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 107:4 offers a powerful and enduring metaphor for various "wilderness" experiences in contemporary life. We may find ourselves wandering in periods of spiritual dryness, feeling lost in significant life transitions such as career changes or relational shifts, grappling with profound existential questions about purpose and meaning, or experiencing deep loneliness and a lack of belonging. This verse serves as a poignant reminder that such feelings of disorientation and homelessness are not unique to ancient peoples; they are universal human experiences deeply understood by the divine author of our lives. In these "solitary ways," our human resources, self-sufficiency, and well-laid plans often prove woefully inadequate, forcing us to confront our limitations and recognize our profound need for a divine guide and a secure refuge. The psalm's overarching progression from desperate distress to miraculous deliverance offers profound hope: even when we feel utterly without direction or a place to settle, God sees our plight, hears our cries, and is supremely capable of leading us to a place of rest and abundant provision. Our appropriate response to such wilderness periods should be to humbly turn to the Lord, trusting that He alone can make a way where there seems to be none, guiding us steadfastly to a true spiritual home and lasting peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel like you are "wandering in the wilderness" or experiencing a "solitary way," lacking clear direction or companionship?**
* **What does it mean for you, in a spiritual or emotional sense, to "find no city to dwell in," and how does that feeling manifest in your life?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to trust God's guidance and provision specifically when you feel lost, disoriented, or without a clear path forward?**
* **What are practical, intentional steps you can take to actively seek God's direction and find spiritual rest when you feel disoriented or without a true spiritual home?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse only refer to the historical experience of the Israelites in the desert?**

Answer: While Psalm 107:4 undoubtedly draws its primary imagery from the historical experience of the Israelites' forty-year wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus (e.g., [Numbers 14:33](/numbers/14-33 "Numbers 14:33 - Forty Years in the Wilderness")), its message extends far beyond that specific historical event. The psalm itself is structured to present various groups of people in distress, making the "wanderers" a representative type. The "wilderness" and "solitary way" serve as powerful metaphors for any period of life marked by disorientation, isolation, hardship, or a lack of security and belonging. Therefore, the verse speaks to universal human experiences of feeling lost, aimless, or without a spiritual or emotional home, making it highly relevant to believers and non-believers across all generations and contexts.

**What is the significance of "no city to dwell in" in this context?**

Answer: In the ancient world, a "city" symbolized security, community, civilization, and established order. To find "no city to dwell in" meant a complete lack of refuge, protection, and permanence. It speaks to a profound state of homelessness and vulnerability, signifying that the wanderers were utterly exposed and without any stable foundation. Spiritually, it signifies a lack of settled peace, belonging, or a fixed spiritual identity. It highlights the deep human longing for a place of rest and safety, a place where one truly belongs and can find respite. The absence of a city underscores the wanderers' utter dependence on divine intervention for any hope of stability and provision, setting the stage for God to be their ultimate refuge and guide, as He promises to provide a true and eternal home for His people (e.g., [John 14:2-3](/john/14-2-3 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The desperate plight of those wandering in the wilderness, finding "no city to dwell in," finds its ultimate spiritual fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, alienated from God by sin, is inherently lost, wandering in a spiritual wilderness, without true direction or a permanent home. We are, as [Ephesians 2:12](/ephesians/2-12 "Ephesians 2:12 - Without Hope and God in the World") describes, "without hope and without God in the world," adrift in a world broken by sin. Jesus, however, comes as the Good Shepherd who actively seeks out the lost sheep ([Matthew 18:12-14](/matthew/18-12-14 "Matthew 18:12-14 - The Parable of the Lost Sheep")). He is the true "way" in the wilderness of life, declaring, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")). For those who feel adrift, burdened, and without a spiritual home, Jesus offers the ultimate "city to dwell in"—not an earthly structure, but profound rest for their souls and a secure spiritual home in Him. He extends the gracious invitation, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus Offers Rest")). Ultimately, He prepares a heavenly city for all His followers, a "city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God" ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - Abraham's Faith and the Heavenly City")), where there will be no more wandering, only eternal rest, perfect security, and unending communion with God.

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

Deuteronomy 32:10

He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

Ezekiel 34:6

My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek [after them].

Numbers 14:33

And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.

Ezekiel 34:12

As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep [that are] scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

Genesis 21:14

¶ And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave [it] unto Hagar, putting [it] on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Genesis 21:16

And she went, and sat her down over against [him] a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against [him], and lift up her voice, and wept.

Revelation 12:6

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days.