Psalms 107:40

He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, [where there is] no way.

He poureth {H8210} contempt {H937} upon princes {H5081}, and causeth them to wander {H8582} in the wilderness {H8414}, where there is no way {H1870}.

he pours contempt on princes and leaves them to wander in trackless wastes.

He pours out contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

He poureth contempt upon princes, And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.

Commentary

Psalms 107:40 offers a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over human authority and earthly powers. This verse is embedded within a larger psalm of thanksgiving that celebrates God's steadfast love (hesed) and His delivering hand in various human predicaments, showcasing His divine control over both individuals and nations.

Context

Psalm 107 begins by calling for thanksgiving to the Lord for His goodness and enduring mercy, specifically highlighting His deliverance of those who were lost, imprisoned, sick, or in danger at sea. Verses 33-43 then shift focus to God's control over the prosperity and desolation of lands and nations. He can turn fruitful land into a wilderness and vice versa. In this broader context, verse 40 underscores God's judicial power over the proud and powerful, often contrasting it with His compassion for the needy in the very next verse (Psalms 107:41), thereby emphasizing His righteous governance over all creation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty over Rulers: The phrase "He poureth contempt upon princes" emphasizes that even the most powerful human leaders are subject to God's ultimate authority. God can humble the proud and bring their plans to naught. This theme is central to understanding God's control over kingdoms and kings throughout Scripture, affirming that no earthly power is beyond His reach or judgment.
  • Judgment and Disorientation: To "cause them to wander in the wilderness, [where there is] no way" symbolizes divine judgment, loss of direction, and utter confusion. Just as the Israelites wandered in the wilderness due to disobedience (Numbers 14:33), this imagery implies a state of being lost, without guidance or purpose, a direct consequence of God's displeasure and a powerful display of His ability to disrupt human plans.
  • God's Justice: This verse illustrates God's righteous character, demonstrating that He will not tolerate unchecked pride and oppression indefinitely. He brings justice by dismantling the power and influence of those who abuse their positions, ensuring that ultimate accountability rests with Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "contempt" is buz (בּוּז), signifying scorn, disgrace, or disdain. It highlights the utter humiliation God can inflict upon those who exalt themselves. "Princes" comes from nedibim (נְדִיבִים), referring to noble or willing ones, often denoting leaders or rulers who might consider themselves above reproach. The "wilderness" (midbar, מִדְבָּר) is a recurring biblical motif for a place of desolation, testing, and sometimes divine punishment, where one can easily become lost and vulnerable.

Practical Application

Psalms 107:40 serves as a powerful reminder for all, especially those in positions of authority, that true power resides with God alone. It encourages humility and reliance on divine wisdom, as God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. For believers, it offers comfort in knowing that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations and that He will ultimately bring justice to those who oppress or act presumptuously. It calls us to trust in His sovereign plan, even when earthly rulers seem unchallengeable, and to remember that all authority is ultimately derived from and subject to Him.

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Cross-References

  • Job 12:24 (9 votes)

    He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness [where there is] no way.

  • Job 12:21 (8 votes)

    He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.

  • Daniel 4:33 (5 votes)

    The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' [feathers], and his nails like birds' [claws].

  • Isaiah 23:8 (4 votes)

    Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning [city], whose merchants [are] princes, whose traffickers [are] the honourable of the earth?

  • Isaiah 23:9 (4 votes)

    The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, [and] to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.

  • Judges 4:21 (3 votes)

    Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.

  • Judges 1:6 (3 votes)

    But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.