Psalms 107:42

KJV

The righteous shall see [it], and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

KJV (with Strong's)

The righteous {H3477} shall see {H7200} it, and rejoice {H8055}: and all iniquity {H5766} shall stop {H7092} her mouth {H6310}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the upright see this, they rejoice; while the wicked are reduced to silence.

Berean Standard Bible

The upright see and rejoice, and all iniquity shuts its mouth.

American Standard Version

The upright shall see it, and be glad; And all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 107:42 serves as a profound concluding statement within a psalm of communal thanksgiving, encapsulating the striking dichotomy between the destinies and responses of the righteous and the wicked in light of God's sovereign acts of deliverance and judgment. It declares that those who walk in uprightness will witness God's redemptive work with profound joy, while all forms of wickedness will be utterly silenced and shamed by the undeniable manifestation of divine justice and power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 107 functions as a wisdom psalm, concluding the fifth book of the Psalter, and is primarily a psalm of communal thanksgiving. It is structured around four distinct scenarios of distress and divine deliverance: wanderers in the wilderness ([verses 4-9](/psalms/107-4-9 "Psalms 107:4-9 - God Delivers Wanderers")), prisoners in darkness ([verses 10-16](/psalms/107-10-16 "Psalms 107:10-16 - God Frees Prisoners")), the sick suffering from folly ([verses 17-22](/psalms/107-17-22 "Psalms 107:17-22 - God Heals the Sick")), and sailors caught in a storm ([verses 23-32](/psalms/107-23-32 "Psalms 107:23-32 - God Calms the Storm")). Each section is punctuated by the recurring refrain, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" ([e.g., Psalms 107:8](/psalms/107-8 "Psalms 107:8 - Call to Praise God's Goodness")). Following these specific examples, the psalm broadens its scope to God's general sovereignty over creation and human affairs, demonstrating His ability to bring desolation upon the wicked ([Psalms 107:33-34](/psalms/107-33-34 "Psalms 107:33-34 - God's Judgment on the Wicked")) and raise the poor from affliction ([Psalms 107:35-41](/psalms/107-35-41 "Psalms 107:35-41 - God's Care for the Afflicted")). Verse 42 then serves as a climactic summary, providing the ultimate consequence and appropriate human response to witnessing God's comprehensive acts of justice and mercy, culminating in the call for wisdom in [Psalms 107:43](/psalms/107-43 "Psalms 107:43 - The Wise Will Observe These Things").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Psalms, as the prayer book and hymnbook of Israel, consistently reflect the nation's understanding of God's character and His interaction with humanity. While Psalms 107 does not point to a specific historical event, its themes resonate with Israel's collective memory of divine deliverance, particularly from the Babylonian exile, and the ongoing experience of God's faithfulness in their history. The categories of "righteous" and "wicked" are fundamental moral and theological distinctions throughout ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, including the Old Testament. In Israelite thought, righteousness (יָשָׁר, _yashar_) was not merely adherence to legal codes but a holistic state of being in right relationship with God and others, characterized by integrity, justice, and faithfulness. Conversely, iniquity represented rebellion against God's order and a deviation from His ways. The public display of justice and the vindication of the righteous were deeply significant in a communal society, affirming God's covenant loyalty and moral governance of the world.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes present throughout Psalms 107 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Justice and Sovereignty**, asserting God's active and undeniable role in governing the world, where His actions are clearly visible ("shall see it"). He is not a passive observer but an active participant who intervenes to judge wickedness and deliver the upright. Secondly, the **Rejoicing of the Righteous** highlights the appropriate response of those who align themselves with God's will. Their joy stems from witnessing God's vindication of His own character and His people, affirming their trust in His power and faithfulness, a sentiment echoed in other psalms where the righteous celebrate God's judgments against evil ([e.g., Psalms 58:10](/psalms/58-10 "Psalms 58:10 - The Righteous Rejoice in Vengeance")). Thirdly, the **Silencing of Iniquity** portrays the ultimate futility and shame of rebellion against God. The phrase "all iniquity shall stop her mouth" conveys a profound sense of defeat, rendering the wicked speechless and without defense in the face of God's undeniable power and righteousness, signifying the end of their boasts and opposition. Finally, the verse presents a **Stark Contrast** between the destinies and reactions of the righteous and the wicked, serving as a powerful summary of the moral order God establishes and upholds in the world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Righteous (Hebrew, _yâshâr'_):** From H3477, this term describes one who is straight, upright, just, and in proper alignment with God's will. It denotes a person whose life reflects integrity, equity, and a pleasing adherence to divine standards. In the context of Psalms 107, the "righteous" are those who, having experienced or observed God's mighty acts of deliverance and judgment, respond with praise and trust, standing in stark contrast to those whose actions are characterized by perverseness.
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻevel'_):** From H5766, this noun refers to moral evil, perverseness, unrighteousness, or wickedness. It signifies a deviation from what is right and just, encompassing actions and attitudes that are contrary to God's law and righteous character. The phrase "all iniquity" suggests not merely individual acts of wickedness but the very principle and manifestation of evil itself, personified as a defeated entity.
* **Stop (Hebrew, _qâphats'_):** From H7092, this verb means to draw together or close, implying to shut or to cause to cease. In the context of "stop her mouth," it conveys the idea of being silenced, rendered speechless, or put to shame. It signifies the cessation of opposition, boasting, or argument from wickedness, as it is utterly defeated and exposed by God's undeniable justice and power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The righteous shall see [it], and rejoice":** This clause describes the discerning and joyful response of God's faithful people. The "[it]" refers to the preceding descriptions of God's powerful interventions—His deliverance of the afflicted, His judgment of the wicked, and His sovereign control over all circumstances. The righteous are those who possess the spiritual insight to perceive God's active hand at work in the world, recognizing His justice and faithfulness in both judgment and salvation. Their observation leads directly to "rejoice," an expression of profound gladness and affirmation, as they witness the vindication of God's ways and the triumph of righteousness. Their joy is rooted in the assurance that God is just and that His purposes will ultimately prevail.
* **"and all iniquity shall stop her mouth":** This powerful second clause presents a stark contrast to the first, depicting the fate of wickedness. "All iniquity" is personified as a female entity that is forced into silence. This silence is not merely an absence of sound but a profound state of shame, defeat, and utter inability to offer any further argument, complaint, or opposition. In the face of God's undeniable display of power and justice, all forms of evil, all boasts of the wicked, and all arguments against God's righteousness are rendered null and void. This signifies the ultimate and complete triumph of God over all that opposes Him, leaving wickedness utterly humiliated and speechless.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 107:42 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with striking clarity and impact. Most prominently, **Personification** is used when "all iniquity" is depicted as an entity capable of "stopping her mouth." This vivid imagery transforms an abstract concept (wickedness) into a defeated, shamed individual, making the triumph of God's justice more tangible and impactful. The verse also relies heavily on **Antithesis** or **Contrast**, juxtaposing the "righteous" with "all iniquity" and their respective outcomes: the righteous "rejoice," while iniquity is "silenced." This sharp dichotomy highlights the clear moral order established by God and the distinct destinies awaiting those who align with Him versus those who oppose Him. Furthermore, the act of "seeing" by the righteous underscores the **Observational** aspect of divine revelation, implying that God's justice is not hidden but is made manifest for all to witness and respond to.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 107:42 profoundly articulates the biblical principle of divine justice and the ultimate vindication of God's moral order. It reassures believers that despite the apparent prosperity of the wicked or the prevalence of injustice in the world, God remains sovereign and actively intervenes in human affairs. The "seeing" and "rejoicing" of the righteous is a testament to their faith in God's character and their anticipation of His righteous judgments. This verse connects to the broader biblical narrative where God's justice is not merely punitive but also redemptive, bringing about the flourishing of the upright and the silencing of all that opposes His good purposes. It speaks to the eschatological hope that all wrongs will eventually be made right, and God's glory will be universally acknowledged.

* [Psalms 58:10](/psalms/58-10 "Psalms 58:10 - The Righteous Rejoice in Vengeance")
* [Proverbs 10:29](/proverbs/10-29 "Proverbs 10:29 - The Way of the Lord is Strength to the Upright")
* [Revelation 15:3-4](/revelation/15-3-4 "Revelation 15:3-4 - Song of Moses and the Lamb")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 107:42 offers enduring encouragement and a profound call to faith for believers in every generation. In a world often marked by injustice, where the wicked may seem to prosper and the righteous suffer, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is ultimately in control. It encourages us to cultivate a spiritual discernment that recognizes God's hand at work, even when His justice is unfolding in ways we do not immediately understand. For the righteous, witnessing God's sovereign acts, whether in personal deliverance or the broader sweep of history, is a source of profound joy, affirmation, and renewed trust. It strengthens our conviction that our faith is not in vain and that God will indeed bring about His perfect will. Conversely, the verse stands as a solemn warning to those who persist in wickedness, reminding us that all forms of iniquity will ultimately face God's undeniable judgment and be rendered utterly speechless and shamed. This should motivate us to live lives of integrity and righteousness, trusting in God's ultimate triumph and seeking to align our lives with His just and holy character, so that we may be among those who rejoice rather than those who are silenced.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does witnessing God's justice, whether in personal experience or in the broader world, impact your faith and sense of joy?**
* **In what specific areas of your life or society do you long to see God's justice prevail, and how can this verse encourage you in those longings?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live more righteously, trusting that God sees and will ultimately vindicate His ways?**

### FAQ
**Does "iniquity shall stop her mouth" imply a literal silencing or something more metaphorical?**

Answer: The phrase "iniquity shall stop her mouth" is primarily metaphorical, conveying a profound sense of shame, defeat, and utter lack of defense. It does not necessarily mean a literal inability to speak, but rather that all arguments, boasts, and accusations of wickedness will be rendered null and void in the face of God's undeniable power and righteousness. It signifies the complete triumph of God's justice, leaving no room for the wicked to justify themselves or to continue their opposition. This concept is seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as in [Romans 3:19](/romans/3-19 "Romans 3:19 - Every Mouth May Be Stopped"), where the law's purpose is to make the whole world accountable to God, "that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." It speaks to the ultimate futility and public humiliation of all rebellion against God, where evil is exposed, condemned, and left without a word to say in its own defense.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:42 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "Righteous One" ([Acts 3:14](/acts/3-14 "Acts 3:14 - The Holy and Righteous One")), whose life perfectly embodied God's justice and righteousness. His death on the cross was the ultimate act of divine justice and mercy, where He, the sinless Lamb of God, bore the iniquity of the world ([Isaiah 53:6](/isaiah/53-6 "Isaiah 53:6 - All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray")). Through His resurrection, Christ decisively triumphed over sin, death, and the powers of darkness, effectively causing "all iniquity" to "stop her mouth." The demonic forces and the power of sin, which once held humanity captive, were disarmed and put to open shame by Christ's victory ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers and Authorities")). Consequently, those who believe in Him, the "righteous" by faith in Christ, "see" His finished work and "rejoice" with an inexpressible and glorious joy ([1 Peter 1:8](/1_peter/1-8 "1 Peter 1:8 - Rejoice With Joy Inexpressible")). The ultimate silencing of iniquity will be fully realized at Christ's return, when every knee will bow and every tongue confess His Lordship, and all unrighteousness will be judged and banished forever, ushering in an era of perfect justice and peace under the reign of the King of kings ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")).

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

Job 22:19

The righteous see [it], and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to scorn.

Psalms 63:11

But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Romans 3:19

¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Psalms 52:6

¶ The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

Proverbs 10:11

¶ The mouth of a righteous [man is] a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Job 5:15

But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.

Job 5:16

So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.