[3] And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
Gathered — Into their own land.
[4] They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
No city — Or rather, no town inhabited, where they might refresh themselves.
[6] Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
The Lord — Heb. Unto Jehovah, to the true God. For the Heathens had, many of them, some knowledge of the true God.
[7] And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Forth — Out of the wilderness.
[10] Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
Darkness — In dark prisons or dungeons.
[12] Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
Heart — The pride and obstinacy of their hearts.
Fell — They fell into hopeless miseries.
[17] Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Afflicted — With sickness.
[20] He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Word — His command, or blessing.
[32] Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
Exalt him — In public assemblies, and before all persons, as they have opportunity.
Elders — The magistrates or rulers; let them not be ashamed nor afraid to speak of God's wonderful works, before the greatest of men.
[33] He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
Rivers — Those grounds which are well watered, and therefore fruitful. And so the water-springs, here, and the standing water, verse 35 are taken.
Into — Into a dry ground, which is like a parched and barren wilderness.
[34] A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
For — He doth not inflict these judgments without cause, but for the punishment of sin in some, and the prevention of it in others.
[35] He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
Water — Into a well-watered and fruitful land.
[36] And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
Hungry — Poor people who could not provide for themselves.
[39] Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
They — These men, who when they are exalted by God, grow insolent and secure.
Low — By God's just judgment.
[40] He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
Contempt — Renders them despicable.
Wander — Banishes them from their own courts and kingdoms, and forces them to flee into desolate wildernesses for shelter.
Psalm 107 Bible Commentary
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Verse 3
[3] And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
Gathered — Into their own land.
Verse 4
[4] They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
No city — Or rather, no town inhabited, where they might refresh themselves.
Verse 6
[6] Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
The Lord — Heb. Unto Jehovah, to the true God. For the Heathens had, many of them, some knowledge of the true God.
Verse 7
[7] And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Forth — Out of the wilderness.
Verse 10
[10] Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
Darkness — In dark prisons or dungeons.
Verse 12
[12] Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
Heart — The pride and obstinacy of their hearts.
Fell — They fell into hopeless miseries.
Verse 17
[17] Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Afflicted — With sickness.
Verse 20
[20] He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Word — His command, or blessing.
Verse 32
[32] Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
Exalt him — In public assemblies, and before all persons, as they have opportunity.
Elders — The magistrates or rulers; let them not be ashamed nor afraid to speak of God's wonderful works, before the greatest of men.
Verse 33
[33] He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
Rivers — Those grounds which are well watered, and therefore fruitful. And so the water-springs, here, and the standing water, verse 35 are taken.
Into — Into a dry ground, which is like a parched and barren wilderness.
Verse 34
[34] A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
For — He doth not inflict these judgments without cause, but for the punishment of sin in some, and the prevention of it in others.
Verse 35
[35] He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
Water — Into a well-watered and fruitful land.
Verse 36
[36] And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
Hungry — Poor people who could not provide for themselves.
Verse 39
[39] Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
They — These men, who when they are exalted by God, grow insolent and secure.
Low — By God's just judgment.
Verse 40
[40] He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
Contempt — Renders them despicable.
Wander — Banishes them from their own courts and kingdoms, and forces them to flee into desolate wildernesses for shelter.