TRV
Translation
King James Version
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell 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.
World English Bible Messianic
They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way. They found no city to live in.
Geneva Bible (1599)
When they wandered in the desert and wildernesse out of the waie, and founde no citie to dwell in,
Young's Literal Translation
They wandered in a wilderness, in a desert by the way, A city of habitation they have not found.
See also
In the KJVVerse 15,704 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 107 verses 1–9
1 ¶ O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Here is, I. A general call to all to give thanks to God, Psa 107:1. Let all that sing this psalm, or pray over it, set themselves herein to give thanks to the Lord; and those that have not any special matter for praise may furnish themselves with matter enough from God's universal goodness. In the fountain he is good; in the streams his mercy endures for ever and never fails.
II. A particular demand hereof from the redeemed of the Lord, which may well be applied spiritually to those that have an interest in the great Redeemer and are saved by him from sin and hell. They have, of all people, most reason to say that God is good, and his mercy everlasting; these are the children of God that were scattered abroad, whom Christ died to gather together in one, out of all lands, Joh 11:52; Mat 24:31. But it seems here to be meant of a temporal deliverance, wrought for them when in their distress they cried unto the Lord, Psa 107:6. Is any afflicted? Let him pray. Does any pray? God will certainly hear and help. When troubles become extreme that is man's time to cry; those who but whispered prayer before then cry aloud, and then it is God's time to succour. In the mount he will be seen. 1. They were in an enemy's country, but God wrought out their rescue: He redeemed them from the hand of the enemy (Psa 107:2), not by might or power, it may be (Zac 4:6), nor by price or reward (Isa 45:13), but by the Spirit of God working on the spirits of men. 2. They were dispersed as out-casts, but God gathered them out of all the countries whither they were scattered in the cloudy and dark day, that they might again be incorporated, Psa 107:3. See Deu 30:4; Eze 34:12. God knows those that are his, and where to find them. 3. They were bewildered, had no road to travel in, no dwelling place to rest in, Psa 107:4. When they were redeemed out of the hand of the enemy, and gathered out of the lands, they were in danger of perishing in their return home through the dry and barren deserts. They wandered in the wilderness, where there was no trodden path, no company, but a solitary way, no lodging, no conveniences, no accommodations, no inhabited city where they might have quarters or refreshment. But God led them forth by the right way (Psa 107:7), directed them to an inn, nay, directed them to a home, that they might go to a city of habitation, which was inhabited, nay which them themselves should inhabit. This may refer to poor travellers in general, those particularly whose way lay through the wilds of Arabia, where we may suppose they were often at a loss; and yet many in that distress were wonderfully relieved, so that few perished. Note, We ought to take notice of the good hand of God's providence over us in our journeys, going out and coming in, directing us in our way, and providing for us places both to bait in and rest in. Or (as some think) it has an eye to the wanderings of the children of Israel in the wilderness for forty years; it is said (Deu 32:10), God led them about, and yet here he led them by the right way. God's way, though to us it seems about, will appear at last to have been the right way. It is applicable to our condition in this world; we are here as in a wilderness, have here no continuing city, but dwell in tents as strangers and pilgrims. But we are under the guidance of his wise and good providence, and, if we commit ourselves to it, we shall be led in the right way to the city that has foundations. 4. They were ready to perish for hunger (Psa 107:5): Their soul even fainted in them. They were spent with the fatigues of their journey and ready to drop down for want of refreshment. Those that have constant plenty, and are every day fed to the full, know not what a miserable case it is to be hungry and thirsty, and to have no supply. This was sometimes the case of Israel in the wilderness, and perhaps of other poor travellers; but God's providence finds out ways to satisfy the longing soul and fill the hungry soul with goodness, Psa 107:9. Israel's wants were seasonably supplied, and many have been wonderfully relieved when they were ready to perish. The same God that has led us has fed us all our life long unto this day, has fed us with food convenient, has provided food for the soul, and filled the hungry soul with goodness. Those that hunger and thirst after righteousness, after God, the living God, and communion with him, shall be abundantly replenished with the goodness of his house, both in grace and glory. Now for all this those who receive mercy are called upon to return thanks (Psa 107:8): Oh that men (it is meant especially of those men whom God has graciously relieved) would praise the Lord for his goodness to them in particular, and for his wonderful works to others of the children of men! Note, (1.) God's works of mercy are wonderful works, works of wonderful power considering the weakness, and of wonderful grace considering the unworthiness, of those he shows mercy to. (2.) It is expected of those who receive mercy from God that they return praise to him. (3.) We must acknowledge God's goodness to the children of men as well as to the children of God, to others as well as to ourselves.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–9. Public domain.
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Ammon of HadrianopolisAD 355
LETTER OF BISHOP AMMON 28
Many other monks coming from Phbow by boat reached the island, and we were three hundred in number. About the eighth hour of the twenty-sixth of the month of Athyr, Theodore called all of us and gathered us near himself, and he told Theodore the Alexandrian to interpret what he was going to say to all: “God revealed to me long ago what I have to say but told me to keep silence for a while. Now, as I was standing, I have just been ordered to say it to you, and it is this: In almost every place where the name of Christ is being preached, many of those who have sinned after holy baptism have kept the apostolic faith in which we also stand and have wept for their sins. The Lord, accepting the genuineness of their repentance, has wiped away their sins. Therefore all those among you who up to this day have wept truly over the sins committed after your baptism shall know that you have received forgiveness. Let each of you, therefore, confess to the Lord his mercies and say, You have changed my grief into joy; you have stripped off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness.”
Gregory of NyssaAD 395
AGAINST EUNOMIUS 2:15
Prophetic language affirms that the conversion of those in error is the work of God. For “they went astray in the wilderness in a thirsty land,” the psalmist says, and then he adds, “So he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to the city where they dwelled,” and “when the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion.” In like manner also the comfort of the afflicted is ascribed to God, Paul thus says, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who comforts us in all our tribulation.” Again, the psalmist says, speaking in the person of God, “You called on me in trouble, and I delivered you.” And the setting upright of those who stumble is ascribed innumerable times by Scripture to the power of the Lord: “You have held me by the hand that I might fall, but the Lord was my help,” and “Though he fall, he shall not be cast away, for the Lord upholds him with his hand,” and “The Lord helps them that are fallen.” And the recovery of the distressed admittedly belongs to the loving-kindness of God, if Eunomius means the same thing of which we learn in prophecy, as the Scripture says, “You laid burdens on our backs; you allowed people to ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, and you brought us to a place of abundance.”
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 107
"They wandered in the wilderness, in a dry place, they found not the way of a city to dwell in" [Psalm 107:4]. We have heard a wretched wandering; what of want? "Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them" [Psalm 107:5]. But wherefore did it faint? For what good? For God is not cruel, but He makes Himself known, in that it is expedient for us, that He be entreated by us fainting, and that aiding us He be loved. And therefore after this wandering, and hunger, and thirst, "And they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distress" [Psalm 107:6]. And what did He for them, as they were wandering? "And He led them in the right way" [Psalm 107:7]. They found not the way of a city to dwell in, with hunger and thirst they were vexed and faint, "and He led them into the right way, that they might go into a city to dwell in." How He helped their hunger and thirst, He says not, but even this expect ye: "Let them confess unto the Lord His mercies, and His wonders towards the children of men" [Psalm 107:8]. Tell them, you that are experienced, to the inexperienced; ye that are already in the way, already directed towards finding the city, already at last free from hunger and thirst. "Because He has satisfied the empty soul, and filled the hungry soul with good things" [Psalm 107:9].
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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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). 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), the sick afflicted by their folly (Psalm 107:17), and finally, those imperiled by a storm at sea (Psalm 107:23). 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 and Deuteronomy. 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, where God promises to make a way in the desert.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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.
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
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), 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).
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 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). 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). 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). Ultimately, He prepares a heavenly city for all His followers, a "city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God" (Hebrews 11:10), where there will be no more wandering, only eternal rest, perfect security, and unending communion with God.