33 He maketh rivers become a wilderness, And fountains of waters become dry land. 34 A fruitful land becometh a barren place, For the wickedness of its inhabitants. 35 He maketh a wilderness become a pool of water, And a dry land become fountains of waters. 36 And He causeth the hungry to dwell there, And they prepare a city of habitation. 37 And they sow fields, and plant vineyards, And they make fruits of increase. 38 And He blesseth them, and they multiply exceedingly, And their cattle He doth not diminish. 39 And they are diminished, and bow down, By restraint, evil, and sorrow. 40 He is pouring contempt upon nobles, And causeth them to wander in vacancy—no way. 41 And setteth on high the needy from affliction, And placeth families as a flock. 42 The upright do see and rejoice, And all perversity hath shut her mouth. 43 Who 'is' wise, and observeth these? They understand the kind acts of Jehovah!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 107:33-43
Commentary on Psalm 107:33-43
(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.