Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 107:16
For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
16. The prophecy of Isa 45:2 has been fulfilled. The land of exile was represented as a vast and strong fortress-prison.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For he hath broken the gates of brass – The immediate reason here given for praising the Lord is that he had broken the gates of brass, continuing the thought from Psa 107:10-14. In the previous part of the psalm, in giving a reason for praising the Lord, the fact that he feeds the hungry was selected Psa 107:9 because in the preceding part the allusion was to the sufferings of hunger and thirst Psa 107:4-5; here the fact that he had broken the gates of brass is selected, because the allusion in the immediately preceding verses Psa 107:12-14 was to their imprisonment. In the construction of the psalm there is great regularity. The gates of brass refer probably to Babylon; and the idea is, that their deliverance had been as if the brass gates of that great city had been broken down to give them free egress from their captivity. Thus the conquest of Babylon by Cyrus is announced in similar language: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron, Isa 45:2. See the notes at that passage.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 16. For he hath broken] This is the reason given for thanks to God for his deliverance of the captives. It was not a simple deliverance; it was done so as to manifest the irresistible power of God. He tore the prison in pieces, and cut the bars of iron asunder.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He restored them to liberty in spite of all impediments and oppositions.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
16. brokenliterally,”shivered” (Isa 45:2).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For he hath broken the gates of brass,…. The prison doors made of brass, as sometimes of iron, for the security of the prisoners; see Ac 12:10. And cut the bars of iron in sunder; with which they were barred and secured. Hyperbolical phrases these, as Kimchi, expressing how exceeding strong the prison doors were, and the impossibility of an escape out of them, unless the Lord had delivered them; but when he works, none can let; all obstructions are easily removed by him; which is the sense of the words, see Isa 45:2. Vitringa, on Re 12:2, interprets this of the subjection of the Roman emperors to the faith and obedience of Christ.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(16) Isa. 45:2 was present to the poets mind.
Virgils picture of the shrine of war (n. vii. 607) has been compared to this.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
16. Gates of brass The allusion is to Isa 45:2, where the subject is the taking of Babylon, at which time the strategy of Cyrus, prince of Persia, and commander of the Median and Persian army, should succeed by the extraordinary circumstance of the brazen gates of the wall on the banks of Euphrates being left unbarred. What Isaiah thus predicted actually took place one hundred and sixty years later, (B.C. 544.) Dan 5:30-31; Herod. b. i, 191
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 107:16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
Ver. 16. For he hath broken the gates of brass ] If Samson could do so, how much more the Almighty, whom nothing can withstand! Nature may be stopped in her course, as when the fire burned not. Men may not be able to do as they would. Angels, good or bad, may be hindered, because in them there is an essence and an executive power, between which God can step at his pleasure, and interpose his veto; but who or what shall hinder the Most High?
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Wonderful Works to the Children of Men
Psa 107:16
In this psalm those who have been redeemed by the gracious interpositions of God are summoned to praise Him for a love which endures through all our rebuffs and backslidings. Note how this refrain breaks out in Psa 107:8; Psa 107:15; Psa 107:21; Psa 31:1-24. The psalmist passes before us a series of pictures, selected from the stories of human suffering which have been repeated in all ages of human history. Travelers who have lost their way, captives, sick men, storm-tossed sailors, are presented in as many panels or pictures. The psalmist says that, whatever our trouble, there is only one way out of it-to cry to God. This is never in vain. There is always the saving help of His right hand; and there is always, therefore, the obligation of praise.
The first scene is of a caravan in the desert, with depleted water-skins, emptied stores, and exhausted strength. How many have lost their way in life and are in this plight! These details are true not only physically, but spiritually. The second scene is of a prison-house, and the suggestion is that, in all our lives, there are imprisoning circumstances and limitations which compel us to call for help from Him who said, He hath sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives.
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
Jdg 16:3, Isa 45:1, Isa 45:2, Mic 2:13
Reciprocal: Isa 28:22 – lest Jer 40:1 – bound Jer 51:30 – her bars Nah 3:13 – the gates Rom 7:25 – thank God
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
107:16 For he hath broken the {f} gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
(f) When there seems to man’s judgment no recovery, but all things are brought to despair, then God chiefly shows his mighty power.