Psalms 107:13

Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he saved them out of their distresses.

Then they cried {H2199} unto the LORD {H3068} in their trouble {H6862}, and he saved {H3467} them out of their distresses {H4691}.

In their trouble they cried to ADONAI, and he rescued them from their distress.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.

Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he saved them out of their distresses.

Commentary

Psalms 107:13 serves as a powerful testament to God's responsiveness and delivering power, encapsulating a key theme of the entire psalm: God's steadfast love and willingness to rescue those who cry out to Him in their need.

Context of Psalms 107:13

Psalm 107 is a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving, calling people to praise the LORD for His goodness and His wonderful works to the children of men. The psalm recounts four distinct groups of people who found themselves in dire circumstances, yet experienced God's miraculous intervention. These groups include wanderers in the wilderness, prisoners in darkness, those afflicted by their own sin, and mariners caught in a storm. Verse 13 specifically belongs to the narrative of the prisoners (vv. 10-16), who were bound in affliction and iron because they rebelled against the words of God. This verse, along with verses 6, 19, and 28, forms a recurring refrain, highlighting a consistent pattern: people face trouble, they cry out to the LORD, and He delivers them.

Meaning of Psalms 107:13

The verse vividly portrays two critical actions: the human cry and the divine response. "Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble" speaks of desperation, a moment when human strength and resources are exhausted, and the only recourse is to turn to a higher power. The word "cried" (Hebrew: za'aq) suggests an urgent, often loud, plea for help, indicating deep distress and a recognition of utter dependence. It signifies a turning point from self-reliance or despair to active supplication.

The second part, "and he saved them out of their distresses," immediately follows, demonstrating God's swift and unfailing response. The Hebrew word for "saved" (yasha) means to deliver, rescue, or bring salvation. Their "distresses" (Hebrew: metsarim) refers to tight, narrow places, symbolizing overwhelming difficulties, anguish, or oppression. God's deliverance is complete and effective, pulling them out of their seemingly inescapable predicaments. This verse underscores God's character as a compassionate rescuer who hears and acts on behalf of His suffering people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Responsiveness to Prayer: The verse powerfully illustrates that God hears and answers the desperate prayers of His people.
  • Deliverance from Trouble: It highlights God's ability and willingness to rescue individuals from all forms of affliction, distress, and seemingly impossible situations.
  • The Power of Supplication: Crying out to the LORD is presented as the crucial step that activates divine intervention.
  • God's Faithfulness: The consistent pattern throughout Psalm 107 reinforces God's enduring mercy and faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb za'aq (ื–ึธืขึทืง), translated as "cried," often denotes a desperate, urgent shout for help in times of crisis, as seen when people cry out under oppression or in danger. This is not a casual prayer but an impassioned plea. The term for "saved," yasha (ื™ึธืฉึทืืข), is a foundational word in the Old Testament for salvation and deliverance, implying rescue from danger or oppression. The word "distresses," metsarim (ืžึฐืฆึธืจึดื™ื), derived from a root meaning "narrow" or "tight," vividly paints a picture of being hemmed in by difficulties, emphasizing the severity of their plight before God's intervention.

Practical Application

Psalms 107:13 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that no matter how deep our troubles or how overwhelming our distresses, God is accessible and responsive. When we feel trapped, oppressed, or lost, our first and most effective action is to cry out to the LORD in prayer. This verse assures us that God is not distant but actively involved in the lives of those who seek Him. It calls us to cultivate a habit of turning to God in every challenge, trusting that His nature is to deliver and save. It also serves as a powerful reminder to give thanks for past deliverances, reinforcing our faith in His future interventions.

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

  • Psalms 107:28 (12 votes)

    Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

  • Psalms 107:6 (11 votes)

    Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he delivered them out of their distresses.

  • Judges 6:6 (9 votes)

    And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.

  • Judges 6:10 (9 votes)

    And I said unto you, I [am] the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.

  • Judges 4:3 (9 votes)

    And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:12 (8 votes)

    And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

  • 2 Chronicles 33:13 (8 votes)

    And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he [was] God.