Psalms 107:42

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

This verse, Psalms 107:42, serves as a concluding statement in a powerful psalm of thanksgiving, contrasting the outcomes for the righteous and the wicked based on God's actions in the world.

Context

Psalms 107 is a psalm of communal thanksgiving, recounting how the Lord delivers various groups of people from desperate situations: wanderers in the wilderness (verses 4-9), prisoners (verses 10-16), the sick (verses 17-22), and sailors in a storm (verses 23-32). Following these accounts of deliverance and calls to praise, the psalm describes God's sovereignty over nature and human circumstances, showing how He can turn fruitful lands barren due to wickedness (Psalms 107:34) and raise the poor from affliction (Psalms 107:41). Verse 42 then summarizes the appropriate responses to witnessing these divine acts โ€“ joy for the righteous and silence for the wicked.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Sovereignty: The verse highlights God's active role in the world, judging the wicked and blessing the righteous. His actions are visible ("shall see it").
  • Rejoicing of the Righteous: Those who live in accordance with God's ways find cause for joy in witnessing His justice and deliverance. They are vindicated and celebrate God's power and faithfulness. This echoes the sentiment found in verses like Psalms 58:10, where the righteous rejoice at seeing God's judgment.
  • Silencing of Iniquity: In contrast to the rejoicing righteous, "all iniquity shall stop her mouth." This phrase implies shame, defeat, or the inability to speak against God's clear actions. The wicked are silenced by the undeniable display of God's power and justice, having no defense or argument. It signifies the ultimate futility and shame of rebellion against God.
  • The Stark Contrast: The verse presents a clear dichotomy between the fate and response of the righteous and the wicked in the face of divine intervention.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "righteous" is tsaddiq (ืฆึทื“ึดึผื™ืง), referring to those who are just, upright, and in right standing with God. "Rejoice" comes from samach (ืฉึธื‚ืžึทื—), meaning to be joyful, glad, or merry. "Iniquity" is 'awel (ืขึถื•ึถืœ), denoting wickedness, injustice, or perversity. The phrase "stop her mouth" is satam peh (ืกึธืชึทื ืคึถึผื”), literally meaning to stop or shut the mouth, conveying the idea of being silenced, rendered speechless, or put to shame, unable to offer further opposition or complaint.

Reflection and Application

Psalms 107:42 offers enduring encouragement to believers. It reminds us that despite the apparent prosperity or influence of wickedness in the world, God is ultimately in control. He sees, He acts, and His justice will prevail. For the righteous, witnessing God's work, whether in personal deliverance or the broader unfolding of His purposes, is a source of profound joy and affirmation. It strengthens faith and provides assurance that their trust in God is not in vain.

Conversely, the verse serves as a somber warning regarding the end of iniquity. Those who persist in wickedness will ultimately be silenced and shamed before God's undeniable power and righteousness. This silencing can be seen in the consequences of their actions, their inability to stand before God's judgment (Psalms 1:5), or the final state of being cut off from His presence.

Today, this verse calls us to live righteously, trusting that God sees our path and will ultimately bring about justice. It invites us to find joy in His sovereign acts and to live in a way that will not lead to shame when His truth is fully revealed.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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

    ยถ 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

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

  • Proverbs 10:11

    ยถ 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.
โ† Back