4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
4 Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle.
4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;
4 Some of you wandered for years in the desert, looking but not finding a good place to live,
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in.
4 Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless.
40 he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste.
40 he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
40 as he heaped scorn on princes and sent them away. He gave the poor a safe place to live,
40 He pours contempt on princes, And causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way;
40 the Lord pours contempt on their princes, causing them to wander in trackless wastelands.
(Read Psalm 107:33-43)
What surprising changes are often made in the affairs of men! Let the present desolate state of Judea, and of other countries, explain this. If we look abroad in the world, we see many greatly increase, whose beginning was small. We see many who have thus suddenly risen, as suddenly brought to nothing. Worldly wealth is uncertain; often those who are filled with it, ere they are aware, lose it again. God has many ways of making men poor. The righteous shall rejoice. It shall fully convince all those who deny the Divine Providence. When sinners see how justly God takes away the gifts they have abused, they will not have a word to say. It is of great use to us to be fully assured of God's goodness, and duly affected with it. It is our wisdom to mind our duty, and to refer our comfort to him. A truly wise person will treasure in his heart this delightful psalm. From it, he will fully understand the weakness and wretchedness of man, and the power and loving-kindness of God, not for our merit, but for his mercy's sake.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 107:4
Commentary on Psalm 107:1-9
(Read Psalm 107:1-9)
In these verses there is reference to the deliverance from Egypt, and perhaps that from Babylon: but the circumstances of travellers in those countries are also noted. It is scarcely possible to conceive the horrors suffered by the hapless traveller, when crossing the trackless sands, exposed to the burning rays of the sum. The words describe their case whom the Lord has redeemed from the bondage of Satan; who pass through the world as a dangerous and dreary wilderness, often ready to faint through troubles, fears, and temptations. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, after God, and communion with him, shall be filled with the goodness of his house, both in grace and glory.