Psalms 107

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 1. Himself. By repeating here what occurs in Psalms 56 and 59. David teaches us to excite our fervour by such sentiments as have formerly made an impression upon us. Bert.—He spoke before of his own victories: now he considers those of Christ, and of his Church, (Geneb.) as well as the state of the captives. Theod. Calmet.

EXPLANATION

When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew “יהוה”, usually pronounced Yahweh).

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2

Let the redeemed by the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the adversary,

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 2. My heart, and so forth Is not repeated in Hebrew But it is, Psalms 56:8.

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3

and gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 3. Arise, my glory. Is found also in this psalm, though not here in Hebrew and so forth S. Jerom (ad Sun.) thinks some copyist has inserted it. Calmet.—But it seems to be here in its proper place. Bert.

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4

They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way. They found no city to live in.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 4. Nations. David made various conquests, which prefigured those of Christ, to whom the rest of the psalm belongs. Saint Augustine

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5

Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

6

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

7

He led them also by a straight way, that they might go to a city to live in.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 7. That. See Psalms 59:7. Worthington.

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8

Let them praise the LORD for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 8. Holiness. Or holy one, sancto: ( Bible.) meaning Jeremias 25:11 who foretold the end of the captivity, ( Calmet.) or David himself, and the Messias, his son, in whom he will rejoice. Bible.

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9

For he satisfies the longing soul. He fills the hungry soul with good.

10

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron,

11

because they rebelled against the words of God, and condemned the counsel of the Most High.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).

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12

Therefore he brought down their heart with labor. They fell down, and there was no one to help.

13

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

14

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke away their chains.

15

Let them praise the LORD for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!

16

For he has broken the gates of bronze, and cut through bars of iron.

17

Fools are afflicted because of their disobedience, and because of their iniquities.

18

Their soul abhors all kinds of food. They draw near to the gates of death.

19

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

20

He sends his word, and heals them, and delivers them from their graves.

21

Let them praise the LORD for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!

22

Let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his deeds with singing.

23

Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters,

24

these see the LORD’s deeds, and his wonders in the deep.

25

For he commands, and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up its waves.

26

They mount up to the sky; they go down again to the depths. Their soul melts away because of trouble.

27

They reel back and forth, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.

28

Then they cry to the LORD in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distress.

29

He makes the storm a calm, so that its waves are still.

30

Then they are glad because it is calm, so he brings them to their desired haven.

31

Let them praise the LORD for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds for the children of men!

32

Let them exalt him also in the assembly of the people, and praise him in the seat of the elders.

33

He turns rivers into a desert, water springs into a thirsty ground,

34

and a fruitful land into a salt waste, for the wickedness of those who dwell in it.

35

He turns a desert into a pool of water, and a dry land into water springs.

36

There he makes the hungry live, that they may prepare a city to live in,

37

sow fields, plant vineyards, and reap the fruits of increase.

38

He blesses them also, so that they are multiplied greatly. He doesn’t allow their livestock to decrease.

39

Again, they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, trouble, and sorrow.

40

He pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in a trackless waste.

41

Yet he lifts the needy out of their affliction, and increases their families like a flock.

42

The upright will see it, and be glad. All the wicked will shut their mouths.

43

Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things. They will consider the loving kindnesses of the LORD.