Psalms 107:5

Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

Hungry {H7457} and thirsty {H6771}, their soul {H5315} fainted {H5848} in them.

They were hungry and thirsty, their life was ebbing away.

They were hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted within them.

Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them.

Commentary

Psalms 107:5 vividly portrays a state of profound distress, common among those who wandered in ancient times, particularly in harsh, desert environments. This verse sets the stage for God's merciful intervention and deliverance, highlighting the extreme desperation that often precedes divine rescue.

Context

Psalms 107 is a magnificent communal psalm of thanksgiving, recounting God's faithful deliverance of various groups of people from different forms of distress. The first section of the psalm (verses 4-9) specifically describes the plight of those who "wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in" (Psalms 107:4). Verse 5 details their dire condition โ€“ a situation of profound physical and spiritual exhaustion โ€“ which then leads them to cry out to the Lord in verse 6. This narrative structure emphasizes the depth of human helplessness and the necessity of God's intervention when all other hope is lost.

Key Themes

  • Extreme Vulnerability and Deprivation: The opening phrase, "Hungry and thirsty," points to the most basic human needs being unmet. This isn't just discomfort but a life-threatening situation, depicting utter physical destitution. This theme is often seen in accounts of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, where God miraculously provided manna and water.
  • Profound Inner Despair: The phrase "their soul fainted in them" goes beyond mere physical weakness. The Hebrew word for "soul" (nephesh) refers to the entire being โ€“ the life, spirit, and inner self. For the soul to "faint" signifies a profound inner collapse, a spirit utterly depleted, despondent, and without hope. It indicates not just physical fatigue but a deep emotional and spiritual weariness that borders on despair.
  • Setting the Stage for Deliverance: This verse serves as a powerful preamble to God's subsequent intervention. It illustrates the depth of human helplessness and the complete inability of the distressed to save themselves. By highlighting such extreme need, the psalm magnifies the glory of God as the sole deliverer and provider.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew verb translated "fainted" is kaphephah (ื›ึผึธืคึฐืคึธื”), which means to sink down, to bend, to be bowed down, or to collapse. It conveys a sense of utter weakness and surrender, not just a mild fatigue but a complete giving way. When applied to the "soul" (nephesh), it emphasizes the profound and debilitating nature of their distress, affecting not just their bodies but their very inner being, leading to a state of spiritual and emotional prostration.

Practical Application

  • Recognizing Our Own Fainting: Life often presents challenges that leave us feeling "hungry and thirsty," not just physically but emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. This verse reminds us that such moments of utter depletion and spiritual weariness are a part of the human experience. It encourages us to acknowledge our limitations and vulnerability.
  • The Call to Cry Out: Just as the wanderers in the psalm cried out to the Lord in their trouble (Psalms 107:6), we are encouraged to bring our deepest needs, despair, and exhaustion to God. He is attentive to the cries of those who are weak and helpless.
  • God as the Ultimate Provider: This psalm ultimately points to God's unfailing provision and deliverance. Even when our soul faints, His strength is made perfect in weakness, offering rest and renewed strength to those who wait upon Him. It reminds us that our deepest spiritual hunger and thirst can only be satisfied by Him, echoing Jesus' words about being the "bread of life" and "living water."
  • Compassion for the Needy: The vivid depiction of suffering in this verse also calls us to empathy and action for those who are truly hungry, thirsty, or spiritually depleted in our world today, prompting us to be instruments of God's provision and comfort.
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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

  • Mark 8:2 (4 votes)

    I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

  • Mark 8:3 (4 votes)

    And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

  • Isaiah 44:12 (3 votes)

    The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.

  • 1 Samuel 30:11 (3 votes)

    And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;

  • 1 Samuel 30:12 (3 votes)

    And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk [any] water, three days and three nights.

  • Judges 15:18 (3 votes)

    ยถ And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

  • Judges 15:19 (3 votes)

    But God clave an hollow place that [was] in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which [is] in Lehi unto this day.