Psalms 107:41

KJV

Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh [him] families like a flock.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet setteth he the poor {H34} on high {H7682} from affliction {H6040}, and maketh {H7760} him families {H4940} like a flock {H6629}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the needy he raises up from their distress and increases their families like sheep.

Berean Standard Bible

But He lifts the needy from affliction and increases their families like flocks.

American Standard Version

Yet setteth he the needy on high from affliction, And maketh him families like a flock.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 107:41 powerfully declares God's righteous and compassionate intervention in the lives of the downtrodden. It portrays a divine reversal of fortunes, where God actively elevates the humble and suffering from their state of affliction, transforming their circumstances to bring them security, prosperity, and the flourishing of their households, establishing them in abundance and stability.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 107 is a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving, characterized by a recurring four-fold structure that depicts various groups of people crying out to the Lord in distress and His subsequent miraculous deliverance. These narratives include wanderers in the desert, prisoners in darkness, the sick, and sailors facing storms. Following these specific accounts of rescue, the psalm broadens its scope to reflect on God's overarching sovereignty, righteous judgment, and providential care for all humanity. Verse 41 stands as a profound counterpoint to the preceding verse, which describes God pouring contempt on princes and causing them to wander in a trackless waste ([Psalms 107:40](/psalms/107-40 "Psalms 107:40 - God's Judgment on Princes")). This stark juxtaposition vividly illustrates God's justice in humbling the proud and powerful while simultaneously elevating the humble and afflicted, thereby underscoring His absolute control over human destiny and His unwavering commitment to equity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the terms "poor" (Hebrew: *ʼebyôwn*) and "affliction" (Hebrew: *ʻŏnîy*) extended beyond mere economic destitution to encompass social vulnerability, oppression, and a profound lack of power or protection. Such individuals were often at the mercy of societal elites or natural disasters. The concept of God "setting the poor on high" would have been a revolutionary idea, challenging prevailing social hierarchies and emphasizing a divine justice that transcends human systems. Furthermore, the imagery of "families like a flock" (Hebrew: *ka-tsôʼn*) resonated deeply within an agrarian society where a large, healthy, and growing flock was the quintessential symbol of wealth, stability, and divine blessing. It represented not only numerical increase and fruitfulness but also security, unity, and the enduring legacy of a household, signifying God's comprehensive provision for the continuity and well-being of one's descendants.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several profound themes woven throughout [the Book of Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms - Songs and Prayers") and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the theme of **Divine Reversal and Elevation**, where God actively intervenes to overturn human circumstances, lifting the oppressed from misery to positions of honor and security. This motif is consistently present in scripture, exemplified by Hannah's prayer in [1 Samuel 2:7-8](/1_samuel/2-7 "1 Samuel 2:7-8 - Hannah's Prayer of Reversal"), where God "raises the poor from the dust." Secondly, it highlights **God's Special Care for the Afflicted and Vulnerable**, a foundational principle of biblical justice and compassion. God is not depicted as distant but as the champion and provider for the suffering, a truth reiterated in [Psalms 113:7-8](/psalms/113-7 "Psalms 113:7-8 - God Lifts the Needy"). Thirdly, the vivid imagery of "families like a flock" embodies the theme of **Prosperity, Fruitfulness, and Generational Blessing**. It speaks to God's desire for His people to thrive, not only individually but communally and generationally, reflecting the original creation mandate to "be fruitful and multiply" found in [Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Creation Mandate").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Poor (Hebrew, _ʼebyôwn'_):** This term (H34) derives from a root implying want, especially in feeling, and describes someone who is destitute, needy, or a beggar. It signifies a state of profound vulnerability and dependence, often on divine intervention rather than human systems. In the context of the Psalms, *ʼebyôwn* frequently refers to those who are humble, oppressed, or lacking social standing, whom God specifically champions and delivers.
* **Affliction (Hebrew, _ʻŏnîy'_):** The word (H6040) conveys a deep sense of depression, misery, or trouble. It encompasses both physical hardship and emotional distress, often resulting from external pressures, oppression, or injustice. God's action is to lift the individual "from" this profound state of distress, signifying a complete and comprehensive deliverance from suffering and oppression.
* **Flock (Hebrew, _tsôʼn'_):** This term (H6629) is a collective name for sheep or goats, commonly used in biblical imagery to denote a large collection of animals under a shepherd's care. As a simile for families, it powerfully evokes images of abundance, security, protection, and collective well-being. In an agrarian society, a thriving *tsôʼn* was synonymous with wealth, stability, and divine blessing, symbolizing the numerical growth, unity, and enduring legacy of a household.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction":** This clause highlights God's sovereign and compassionate intervention, introduced by the emphatic "Yet," which creates a stark contrast with the preceding verse. God "sets the poor on high," signifying a dramatic reversal of their status from vulnerability and oppression to one of honor, security, and prominence. This elevation is specifically "from affliction," meaning God delivers them from deep misery, suffering, or oppression, bringing them into a place of relief, vindication, and flourishing. This demonstrates God's active role as the defender and exalter of the humble.
* **"and maketh [him] families like a flock":** This second clause describes the tangible and abundant outcome of God's blessing and elevation. The singular "him" refers collectively to the poor individual or group who has been elevated. God not only lifts them out of distress but also grants them remarkable prosperity and fruitfulness, particularly in their family life. The vivid simile "like a flock" (Hebrew: *ka-tsôʼn*) evokes images of abundance, security, and thriving. In a pastoral society, a large, healthy flock was a clear sign of wealth, stability, and divine favor, symbolizing the numerical growth, unity, and overall well-being of their descendants and household, ensuring their continuity and flourishing under God's watchful care.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 107:41 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, as the verse directly juxtaposes God's judgment upon the proud princes in [Psalms 107:40](/psalms/107-40 "Psalms 107:40 - God's Judgment on Princes") with His gracious elevation of the poor in verse 41. This sharp distinction powerfully emphasizes God's righteous judgment and the dramatic reversal of human fortunes, highlighting His sovereignty. A striking **Simile** is used in the phrase "maketh families like a flock," which vividly compares the flourishing and increase of households to the abundance and security of a well-tended flock. This imagery is rich in **Symbolism**, where the "flock" represents not only numerical increase but also prosperity, protection, and the collective well-being of a household, resonating deeply with an agrarian audience. The verse also exhibits clear **Parallelism** in its structure, where the two clauses describe complementary aspects of God's redemptive work: the elevation from affliction and the establishment of flourishing families, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of His blessing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 107:41 beautifully encapsulates a foundational theological truth: God's unwavering commitment to justice and His compassionate care for the marginalized. This verse is not merely a description of historical events but a profound declaration of God's character as the one who actively intervenes to right wrongs, to lift the humble, and to provide for those who are often overlooked or oppressed by human systems. It speaks to a divine economy where the values of the world are inverted, and the last become first. This principle is deeply woven into the fabric of biblical revelation, affirming that God is the defender of the oppressed and the ultimate source of true security and fruitfulness, often manifesting His power through unexpected and miraculous reversals of fortune for His faithful ones.

* [1 Samuel 2:7-8](/1_samuel/2-7 "1 Samuel 2:7-8 - Hannah's Prayer of Reversal")
* [Luke 1:52-53](/luke/1-52 "Luke 1:52-53 - Mary's Magnificat")
* [James 2:5](/james/2-5 "James 2:5 - God Chooses the Poor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 107:41 offers profound encouragement and a powerful lens through which to view God's ongoing work in the world. For those experiencing hardship, poverty, or oppression, it serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that God sees our suffering, hears our cries, and is mighty to save and elevate. It fosters a deep trust in God's ultimate justice and His unwavering commitment to care for His people, assuring us that our current circumstances do not dictate our final destiny under His sovereign hand. This verse also serves as a poignant call to action for the church and individual believers to embody God's heart for the vulnerable. We are called to reflect His character by actively caring for the poor, advocating for justice, and working to alleviate suffering in our communities, knowing that God delights in lifting up the lowly and providing for their households. It assures us that God's plan often involves taking what is humble and afflicted and transforming it into something abundant and secure under His watchful care, demonstrating His glory through the flourishing of His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the contrast between Psalms 107:40 and 107:41 challenge your understanding of divine justice and power?**
* **In what ways might God be "setting on high from affliction" individuals or groups in our world today, and how can we recognize His hand in such reversals?**
* **How can we, as followers of Christ, actively participate in God's work of elevating the poor and afflicted, and helping "families like a flock" to flourish in our communities?**
* **What personal "afflictions" might God be seeking to lift you from, and what kind of "flourishing" might He desire for your spiritual or physical household as you trust in His provision?**

### FAQ

**Who are "the poor" that God elevates in this verse?**

Answer: In the biblical context, "the poor" (Hebrew: *ʼebyôwn*) often refers to more than just economic status. It encompasses those who are weak, vulnerable, oppressed, or lacking social standing and power. These are individuals or groups who are dependent on God for their vindication and provision, often because human systems have failed them or even actively exploited them. God's elevation of "the poor" is a profound demonstration of His justice and compassion, showing His special concern for those on the margins of society, as seen in passages like [Proverbs 14:31](/proverbs/14-31 "Proverbs 14:31 - Honoring God by Helping the Poor"), which links honoring God with showing kindness to the needy.

**How does God "make families like a flock"? Does this guarantee material wealth?**

Answer: The imagery of "families like a flock" (Hebrew: *ka-tsôʼn*) speaks to abundance, security, and the thriving of a household. In an ancient agrarian society, a large, healthy flock signified wealth, stability, and blessing. While it certainly suggests material provision and numerical increase (children, descendants), the primary emphasis is on holistic well-being, including security, unity, and the flourishing of one's lineage under God's protective care. It doesn't guarantee a specific level of material wealth for every individual but rather speaks to God's desire for His people to be fruitful and secure in their communal and familial life, demonstrating His faithfulness to those who trust in Him, as promised in the covenant blessings outlined in [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings for Obedience").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:41 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the one who perfectly embodies God's heart for the poor and afflicted, identifying with them completely. Jesus' inaugural ministry was characterized by His compassionate proclamation of good news to the poor, healing the sick, and setting the captives free, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Inaugural Sermon")). He himself became poor, divesting Himself of heavenly glory, that we, through His poverty, might become spiritually rich ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). Moreover, He experienced the ultimate affliction on the cross, enduring suffering and death to deliver humanity from the bondage of sin and spiritual death, thereby reversing the greatest affliction. Through His glorious resurrection, He brought forth life and victory for all who believe. Furthermore, Christ gathers His followers into a new spiritual family, the Church, which is often tenderly referred to as His "flock," for whom He is the Good Shepherd ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - One Flock, One Shepherd")). This spiritual family, comprised of believers from every tribe and nation, experiences a prosperity far greater than material wealth—the abundance of grace, eternal life, and the secure identity of being children of God through faith in Him ([Galatians 3:26-29](/galatians/3-26 "Galatians 3:26-29 - Children of God Through Faith")). Thus, Jesus is the ultimate Shepherd who elevates His flock from spiritual affliction and makes them flourish in the security and abundance of His eternal kingdom.

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

1 Samuel 2:8

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth [are] the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.

Job 21:11

They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.

Isaiah 49:20

The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place [is] too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell.

Isaiah 49:22

Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in [their] arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon [their] shoulders.

Job 5:11

To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

Psalms 78:52

But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

Esther 8:15

¶ And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.