Psalms 107:43

KJV

Whoso [is] wise, and will observe these [things], even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Whoso is wise {H2450}, and will observe {H8104} these things, even they shall understand {H995} the lovingkindness {H2617} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let whoever is wise observe these things and consider ADONAI's loving deeds.

Berean Standard Bible

Let him who is wise pay heed to these things and consider the loving devotion of the LORD.

American Standard Version

Whoso is wise will give heed to these things; And they will consider the lovingkindnesses of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 107:43 serves as a profound concluding exhortation to the entire psalm, which celebrates God's enduring lovingkindness and faithfulness through various acts of deliverance. This verse declares that true wisdom is demonstrated not merely by intellectual capacity, but by a discerning observation of God's mighty works and interventions in the lives of His people. Such careful attention and reflection lead to a deep, experiential understanding and appreciation of the LORD's steadfast love, mercy, and covenant loyalty, encouraging a posture of gratitude and trust in His unfailing character.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 107:43 functions as the concluding wisdom statement and thematic summary for the entire Psalm 107. The psalm itself is a communal psalm of thanksgiving, structured around a repeated four-fold pattern of distress, crying out to God, divine deliverance, and a call to praise. The four scenarios—wanderers in the wilderness (verses 4-9), prisoners in darkness (verses 10-16), the sick near death (verses 17-22), and sailors in storms (verses 23-32)—each culminate in the refrain, "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" (e.g., [Psalm 107:8](/psalms/107-8 "Psalm 107:8 - Call to Praise for God's Goodness")). Following these specific examples of divine intervention, the psalm broadens its scope to describe God's sovereignty over nature and nations (verses 33-42), setting the stage for this final verse. Verse 43 acts as an invitation for the reader to reflect on all the preceding narratives and draw a profound, personal theological conclusion about God's character.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Psalm 107 is often considered a post-exilic psalm, possibly composed after the return from Babylonian captivity, as it recounts themes of wandering, imprisonment, and deliverance that resonate with the experiences of the Jewish people during that period. The "wanderers in the wilderness" could evoke the Exodus generation or the exiles' journey home. The "prisoners in darkness" directly relates to the experience of captivity. The "sick near death" might symbolize the spiritual and national malaise, while "sailors in storms" could represent the perils faced by a dispersed people. Culturally, the psalm emphasizes the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, where God consistently demonstrates His faithfulness despite His people's failings. The concept of "wisdom" in ancient Israel was not merely intellectual knowledge but practical skill and moral discernment, rooted in the fear of the LORD, leading to a right understanding of God's ways and a proper response to His actions.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of Psalm 107, powerfully summarized in verse 43, is God's **enduring lovingkindness (חֶסֶד, *chesed*)** and **faithfulness** in delivering His people from various forms of distress. This verse highlights **observational wisdom**, emphasizing that true insight comes from carefully considering God's past and present works. It underscores the **sovereignty of God** over all circumstances, from natural phenomena to human suffering, demonstrating His active involvement in the world. The repeated call to **praise and thanksgiving** throughout the psalm (e.g., [Psalm 107:15](/psalms/107-15 "Psalm 107:15 - Call to Praise for God's Works")) is a direct response to this divine deliverance, leading to a deeper **understanding of God's character**. Ultimately, the psalm, and this concluding verse, reinforce the idea that God is not distant but intimately involved, consistently extending His steadfast love to those who cry out to Him, thereby inviting His people to live in grateful recognition of His unfailing grace, a truth echoed in other wisdom literature like [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Beginning of Knowledge").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wise (Hebrew, *ḥākām'*):** This term denotes more than mere intellectual acuity; it refers to practical wisdom, discernment, and skill in living. In a biblical context, it implies a moral and spiritual understanding that enables one to perceive and respond rightly to God's truth and actions. To be "wise" here means to possess the spiritual insight necessary to connect God's past deeds with His enduring character.
* **Observe (Hebrew, *śāḵal'*):** This verb means to look at, consider, ponder, or give careful attention to. It implies a thoughtful, discerning consideration of the "things" (i.e., the acts of deliverance and judgment described throughout the psalm). It's not a casual glance but a deep, reflective engagement that leads to true comprehension and insight.
* **Lovingkindness (Hebrew, *ḥeseḏ'*):** This is one of the richest theological terms in the Old Testament. Often translated as steadfast love, mercy, kindness, or covenant loyalty, *ḥeseḏ* describes God's faithful, active, and benevolent love, particularly within the framework of His covenant relationship with His people. It is a persistent, reliable, and unconditional love that moves God to deliver, preserve, and redeem. Understanding *ḥeseḏ* is central to grasping the message of Psalm 107, as it is the underlying motivation for all God's saving acts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whoso [is] wise":** This opening phrase sets the condition for understanding. It implies that not everyone will grasp the profound truth presented; it requires a particular disposition—that of wisdom. This wisdom is not inherent but is cultivated through a right relationship with God and a willingness to learn from His works.
* **"and will observe these [things]":** This clause specifies the action required of the wise person. "These [things]" refers directly to the numerous examples of God's deliverance and intervention recounted throughout the preceding verses of Psalm 107. The verb "observe" (Hebrew *śāḵal*) suggests a careful, thoughtful, and discerning consideration, not just a superficial glance. It implies processing and internalizing the lessons from God's historical acts.
* **"even they shall understand":** This phrase presents the certain outcome of such wise observation. The understanding is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, experiential, and transformative comprehension. It signifies a profound grasp of divine truth that impacts one's perspective and way of life.
* **"the lovingkindness of the LORD":** This is the ultimate object of understanding. The "lovingkindness" (Hebrew *ḥeseḏ*) of the LORD is the core attribute revealed through all His acts of deliverance. To understand it is to grasp the depth of God's covenant faithfulness, His unwavering mercy, and His steadfast love that endures forever, providing comfort, assurance, and a foundation for trust.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 107:43 employs several significant literary devices. The verse functions as a **Proverbial Statement**, offering a concise, universally applicable truth about the nature of wisdom and its outcome. It uses **Conditional Language** ("Whoso is wise... and will observe... even they shall understand"), establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship between discerning observation and spiritual insight. The phrase "these [things]" serves as a powerful **Anaphora** (though implied, it points back to the repeated narratives) and **Referential Pointer**, directing the reader back to the detailed accounts of God's deliverance in the preceding verses, thereby unifying the entire psalm. The concept of "lovingkindness" (חֶסֶד) is a profound **Theological Motif** that permeates the psalm, acting as the central attribute of God that is revealed through all His actions. The verse also exhibits **Parallelism** in its structure, implicitly linking wisdom, observation, and understanding as interconnected facets of spiritual discernment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 107:43 serves as a capstone, inviting the reader to move beyond mere recitation of God's acts to a profound comprehension of His character. It underscores that true wisdom is not abstract knowledge but a practical, discerning engagement with divine revelation, particularly as seen in God's historical interventions. The understanding of God's *ḥeseḏ*—His steadfast, covenantal love—is the ultimate goal, transforming intellectual assent into deep, personal assurance. This verse thus bridges the gap between God's mighty deeds and humanity's spiritual perception, urging a reflective posture that leads to worship and trust. It reminds us that God's unwavering love is the consistent thread running through all His dealings with humanity, providing hope and security.

* [Deuteronomy 29:29](/deuteronomy/29-29 "Deuteronomy 29:29 - Secret Things and Revealed Things")
* [Proverbs 2:1-5](/proverbs/2-1 "Proverbs 2:1-5 - The Value of Wisdom")
* [John 14:21](/john/14-21 "John 14:21 - Loving Jesus and Being Loved by God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 107:43 offers a timeless invitation for believers to cultivate a posture of thoughtful observation and spiritual discernment in their lives. In a world often characterized by fleeting attention and superficial understanding, this verse calls us to pause and deeply consider the ways God has acted—both in the grand sweep of redemptive history and in the intimate details of our personal journeys. By intentionally reflecting on His past deliverances, provisions, and interventions, we build a robust foundation for faith and trust in His continued faithfulness. This practice not only deepens our appreciation for God's character, particularly His enduring lovingkindness, but also equips us to navigate future challenges with a confident expectation of His presence and power. It transforms our understanding from mere intellectual assent to a profound, experiential knowledge that shapes our worship, gratitude, and daily walk with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "things" (specific instances of God's faithfulness or deliverance) in your personal life or in the broader history of God's people can you observe more closely to understand His lovingkindness?**
* **How does a deeper understanding of God's *ḥeseḏ* (steadfast love) impact your trust in Him during times of uncertainty or distress?**
* **In what ways can you intentionally cultivate a "wise" and "observant" heart in your daily life, moving beyond superficial understanding to profound spiritual insight?**

### FAQ
**What does "lovingkindness of the LORD" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In this context, "lovingkindness" translates the Hebrew word *ḥeseḏ* (חֶסֶד), a rich theological term that signifies God's steadfast, loyal, and covenantal love. It's not merely an emotion but an active, benevolent commitment that God consistently demonstrates towards His people, especially within their covenant relationship. Throughout Psalm 107, God's *ḥeseḏ* is revealed through His acts of deliverance from various forms of distress—whether it's freeing wanderers, prisoners, the sick, or sailors. To "understand" this lovingkindness means to grasp the depth of God's unwavering faithfulness, His persistent mercy, and His reliable character that compels Him to redeem and sustain, even when His people are undeserving. It's a foundational attribute of God that assures His people of His constant care and commitment, as seen in [Psalm 107:1](/psalms/107-1 "Psalm 107:1 - God's Goodness and Enduring Mercy").

**How does one "observe these things" in a way that leads to understanding?**

Answer: To "observe these things" means to thoughtfully and discerningly consider God's actions, both in the grand narrative of salvation history (as recounted in the psalm) and in one's own personal experience. It involves more than just noticing; it requires reflection, meditation, and a willingness to learn from God's interventions. This is an active process of spiritual discernment, where one connects the dots between events and God's character. For instance, reflecting on how God delivered Israel from Egypt (see [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - Crossing the Red Sea")) or how He provides in personal trials allows one to see the consistent pattern of His *ḥeseḏ*. This kind of observation transforms intellectual knowledge into a deep, experiential understanding, much like the wisdom described in [Proverbs 4:7](/proverbs/4-7 "Proverbs 4:7 - Wisdom is Supreme").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:43, with its emphasis on understanding the "lovingkindness of the LORD" through observing His works, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The *ḥeseḏ* of God, His steadfast covenant love, is perfectly embodied and supremely demonstrated in the person and work of Christ. While the psalm recounts God's deliverance from various physical and spiritual bondages, Jesus is the definitive deliverer, the very [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Through His incarnation, life, atoning death on the cross, and glorious resurrection, God's lovingkindness is not merely observed in historical acts but personally encountered and experienced. The wisdom to "observe these things" now means recognizing that all of God's saving acts, culminating in the Old Testament, point forward to Christ, and all of God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" in Him (see [2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). To understand the lovingkindness of the LORD is to understand the Gospel—that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son (see [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")), thereby providing the ultimate deliverance from sin and death, and securing an eternal covenant of grace for all who believe. This understanding is not just intellectual; it is a spiritual revelation granted by the Holy Spirit, leading to a life transformed by the boundless love of God revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (see [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")).

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

Hosea 14:9

Who [is] wise, and he shall understand these [things]? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD [are] right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

Jeremiah 9:12

¶ Who [is] the wise man, that may understand this? and [who is he] to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth [and] is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?

Psalms 64:9

And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.

Daniel 10:12

Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

Ephesians 3:18

May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

Ephesians 3:19

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Jeremiah 9:24

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I [am] the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [things] I delight, saith the LORD.