Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 107:4
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
4. They wandered &c.] The subject of the verb is to be supplied, according to a common Hebrew idiom, from the verb itself. We might paraphrase the words ‘There were travellers who had lost their way in the desert.’ The absence of any expressed subject has led some commentators to connect Psa 107:2-3 with Psa 107:4. But this ruins the symmetry of the Psalm. If Psa 107:1-3 are regarded as a general introduction, each stanza will begin with a description of the plight of the sufferers whose deliverance is subsequently described.
in a solitary way ] R.V. in a desert way. But the phrase is a questionable one; and it is preferable to follow the LXX [61] and Syr. in reading, They wandered in the wilderness, in the desert; the way to a city of habitation they found not.
[61] , c.a. ART Vg.: the singular reading of printed in Swete’s edition (B is here wanting) may however be held to support the Mass. text, if is transferred to the previous line.
no city to dwell in ] Lit. no city of habitation, a phrase peculiar to this Psalms , vv7, 36; no inhabited city where they might obtain food and shelter.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
4 9. First example of Jehovah’s lovingkindness to men: the deliverance of travellers who had lost their way in the desert and were on the point of perishing, doubtless a common experience. Cp. Job 6:18-20.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
They wandered in the wilderness – On their return from Babylon; or, when God was conducting them again to their own land. The word wilderness in the Scriptures means a desolate, barren, uninhabited region, usually destitute of trees, of springs, and of water-courses. It does not denote, as it does with us, a region of extensive forests. Compare the notes at Mat 4:1.
In a solitary way – Rather, in a waste way; a land that was desolate and uncultivated.
They found no city to dwell in – In their journeyings. This was true of the region between Babylon and Palestine; a wide, barren, desolate waste.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 107:4
They wandered in the wilderness.
The sinner homeless
The old legend of the Wandering Jew tells us how he who had struck and insulted Jesus as He left the Judgment Hall was condemned to wander homeless through many lands, a stranger, unwelcomed and uncared for, who found no city to dwell in. The legend is not without its teaching. Those who wilfully sin against Jesus and the Truth wander through the wilderness of the world out of the right way. They are in a barren and dry land where no water is–no water of life, no water of grace, no water of penitent tears. They are homeless, they find no city to dwell in. Like the Prodigal, they have left their Fathers House, their true home; they have wandered from the true Food, and they are hungry; they have deserted the true Fountain, and they are athirst–Hungry and, thirsty, their soul fainted in them. They have shut themselves out of Gods House, and it is no longer home to them. (H. J. Wilmot Buxton, M.A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 4. They wandered in the wilderness] Here begins the FINEST comparison: the Israelites in captivity are compared to a traveller in a dreary, uninhabited, and barren desert, spent with hunger and thirst, as well as by the fatigues of the journey, Ps 107:5.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They wandered in the wilderness; mistaking their way, which they might easily do in the vast and sandy deserts of Arabia.
No city to dwell in; or rather, no city or town inhabited, where they might refresh themselves, as travellers used to do; for they did not go into the wilderness to seek for a city or habitation there, but only intended to pass through it, as appears by the context, and by the nature of the thing.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4-7. A graphic picture is givenof the sufferings of those who from distant lands returned toJerusalem; or,
city of habitationmaymean the land of Palestine.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way,…. Not the people of Israel, as the Targum. These seem not to be particularly intended, whatever allusion there may be to their passage through the wilderness to Canaan’s land; but rather, in general, travellers through waste places, especially the wild deserts of Arabia; where the wind blowing the sand, covers the roads with it, so that frequently travellers lose their way, and wander about, till directed to it by one providence or another. Some compare this with the case of the Old Testament saints, mentioned in Heb 11:37 others with the church in the wilderness, and the witnesses prophesying in sackcloth,
Re 11:2. But it is certain that the redeemed and gathered are here meant; and this fitly describes their case, before and at effectual calling: they are in the wilderness of the people,
Eze 20:35, from whence they are gathered; are in a state of error and ignorance; are like straying sheep, gone out of the right way; and are as lost sheep, they have lost their way; and though there may be many ways that present unto them, and which they think bid fair to be the right way; yet the true way of peace, life, and salvation by Christ, they know not, while in a state of nature and unregeneracy; and when they come to be effectually called, they see themselves to be in a bewildered state and condition.
They found no city to dwell in; nor even to call at or lodge in, for miles together; which is the case of travellers in some parts, particularly in the deserts of Arabia. Spiritual travellers find no settlement, rest, peace, joy, and comfort, but in Christ; nor any indeed in this world, and the things of it; here they have no continuing city, Heb 13:14.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
It has actually come to pass, the first strophe tells us, that they wandered in a strange land through deserts and wastes, and seemed likely to have to succumb to death from hunger. According to Psa 107:40 and Isa 43:19, it appears that Psa 107:4 ought to be read (Olshausen, Baur, and Thenius); but the line is thereby lengthened inelegantly. The two words, joined by Munach, stand in the construct state, like , Gen 16:12: a waste of a way = , Act 8:26 (Ewald, Hitzig), which is better suited to the poetical style than that , as in p, and the like, should be an accusative of nearer definition (Hengstenberg). In connection with the poet, who is fond of this combination (Psa 107:7, Psa 107:36, cf. , Lev 25:29), means any city whatever which might afford the homeless ones a habitable, hospitable reception. With the perfects, which describe what has been experienced, alternates in Psa 107:5 the imperfect, which shifts to the way in which anything comes about: their soul in them enveloped itself (vid., Psa 61:3), i.e., was nigh upon extinction. With the fut. consec. then follows in Psa 107:6 the fact which gave the turn to the change in their misfortune. Their cry for help, as the imperfect implies, was accompanied by their deliverance, the fact of which is expressed by the following fut. consec. . Those who have experienced such things are to confess to the Lord, with thanksgiving, His loving-kindness and His wonderful works to the children of men. It is not to be rendered: His wonders (supply ) towards the children of men (Luther, Olshausen, and others). The two coincide: their thankful confession of the divine loving-kindness and wondrous acts is not to be addressed alone to Jahve Himself, but also to men, in order that out of what they have experienced a wholesome fruit may spring forth for the multitude. ( part. Polel, the e of which is retained as a pre-tonic vowel in pause, cf. Psa 68:26 and on Job 20:27, Ew. 188, b) is, as in Isa 29:9, the thirsting soul (from , Arab. saq , to urge forward, of the impulse and drawing of the emotions, in Hebrew to desire ardently). The preterites are here an expression of that which has been experienced, and therefore of that which has become a fact of experience. In superabundant measure does God uphold the languishing soul that is in imminent danger of languishing away.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(4) They.It seems more natural to understand the subject of the verb wandered from the preceding clauses, than to supply a general subject, they; but this is by no means a certain interpretation. It depends on the view we take of the poem. (See Introduction.)
A solitary way.Better, in a desert track. (Comp. Act. 8:26.) There is a grammatical difficulty, but this does not affect the general intention of the verse. Whether it represents an historical fact, or merely draws an imaginary picture, the reference to the dangers of Eastern travel is equally clear and distinct.
City to dwell in.Literally, city of habitation, as rendered in Psa. 107:7.
Boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.SHELLEY.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
(4-9) The wanderers.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 107:4. No city to dwell in No city of habitation; or abiding city.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 107:4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
Ver. 4. They wandered in the wilderness, &c. ] This is a sad case, Mendicum patria amissa laribusque vagari.
P .
And yet this is the case of all God’s redeemed ones while they are here, Heb 11:38 1Pe 2:12 .
Per varios casus per tot discrlmina rerum
Tendimus in patriam veram vitamque perennem.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psa 107:4-9
4They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region;
They did not find a way to an inhabited city.
5They were hungry and thirsty;
Their soul fainted within them.
6Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
He delivered them out of their distresses.
7He led them also by a straight way,
To go to an inhabited city.
8Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
And for His wonders to the sons of men!
9For He has satisfied the thirsty soul,
And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.
Psa 107:4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region Some would say this is an obvious allusion to the exodus, however, the rest of the Psalm does not fit the exodus period. Therefore, I think this is the first of four circumstances that describe a crisis from which God delivers His people. See Contextual Insights, E.
They did not find a way to an inhabited city This play on the term inhabited city is found in several parts of this Psalm (cf. Psa 107:7; Psa 107:36). It is possibly an allusion to Jerusalem and the Promised Land, but it primarily speaks of a place for travelers to find rest, provisions, and safety.
Psa 107:5 The word soul (nephesh, BDB 659, see note online at Gen 35:18) denotes an air-breathing life force. It is used several times in this Psalm.
1. Psa 107:5 – their soul fainted within them
2. Psa 107:9 – the thirsty soul
3. Psa 107:9 – the hungry soul
4. Psa 107:18 – their soul abhorred food
5. Psa 107:26 – their soul melted away
Each of these describes a person in distress and discouragement, at the point of death.
Psa 107:6; Psa 107:13; Psa 107:19; Psa 107:28 they cried out to the Lord in their trouble This pattern set up by God’s people in crises, crying out to Him and God delivering them, is reminiscent of the period of the Judges.
Psa 107:6 He delivered them out of their stress God’s deliverance is also paralleled in all four of these metaphorical situations (cf. Psa 107:6-7; Psalms 13-14; Psalms 19-20; Psalms 28-29).
Psa 107:7 He led them also by a straight way This concept of a straight way reflects the Hebrew idiom of the two ways (cf. Deu 30:15-20; Psa 1:1; Mat 7:13-14). A life of faith and faithfulness to YHWH is described as
1. a straight path
2. a level path
3. a smooth path
4. a path free of obstacles
The lifestyle of the wicked is just the opposite, filled with trouble and problems.
Isaiah often speaks of YHWH preparing a special path for His people’s return from exile (cf. Isa. 20:7; Isa 35:7-8; Isa 40:3-4; Isa 42:15-16; Isa 43:19-20; Isa 49:10-11; Isa 57:14; Isa 62:10).
Psa 107:8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness The verb (BDB 392, KB 389, Hiphil imperfect used in a jussive sense) occurs in Psa 107:8; Psa 107:15; Psa 107:21; Psa 107:31. Here again is the repeated refrain of the wonderful covenant love of God manifested in the lives of His children. Even in times of distress, His faithfulness is sure (see Special Topic: Characteristics of Israel’s God ).
And for His wonders to the sons of men Primarily this refers to the grace acts of God in delivering His people (cf. Psa 107:24, see Special Topic: Wonderful Things). There are two ways to look at this phrase. One emphasizes God as a global sustainer of life, the God of providential care for all human beings. But, I think a better way of looking at this is that Israel was to be a witness to God’s acts to the world. This fits Psa 107:2 best and the universal emphasis, so characteristic of many of the Psalms in this section of the Psalter. Israel was meant to be a kingdom of priests to lead the entire world to God. See Special Topic: YHWH’s Eternal Redemptive Plan .
Psa 107:9 For He has satisfied the thirsty soul This can refer to the physical deliverance of God, for the particular event that those in Psa 107:4-9 experienced, or it can be extrapolated to a wider spiritual sense. This Psalm, as a whole, can easily be generalized into the problems that all human beings face after Genesis 3 but uniquely the people of God, as they trust in the Lord and are delivered as a witness of God’s power and love to an unbelieving world.
a solitary way = a trackless waste.
city to dwell in = city of habitation, as in Psa 107:7.
Psa 107:4-9
METAPHOR OF THE WEARY TRAVELER
Psa 107:4-9
“They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way;
They found no city of habitation.
Hungry and thirsty,
Their soul fainted in them.
Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble,
And he delivered them out of their distresses,
And led them also by a straight way,
That they might go to a city of habitation.
Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness,
And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he satisfieth the longing soul,
And the hungry soul he filleth with good.”
“They wandered … in a desert way … found no city” (Psa 107:4). The antecedent of the pronoun `they’ is the “redeemed” and “gathered” of Psa 107:2-3, namely, the Children of Israel whom God returned to Canaan from Babylon.
As Barnes noted, “These verses are a reference to the redeemed of the Lord, as having wandered, … been hungry and thirsty, etc.
“Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble” (Psa 107:6). These words are a refrain which is repeated in Psa 107:13; Psa 107:19; Psa 107:28. The continued worship of Jehovah on the part of the captives, and their constant prayers for God’s relief of their distress are memorialized in this refrain as one of the factors in their deliverance.
“And he delivered them out of their distresses” (Psa 107:6). This is part of the refrain, An amazing feature of this psalm is that there is a double refrain, separated in each usage of it by a single declaration.
“He led them also by a straight way, that they might go to a city of habitation” (Psa 107:7). This is the declaration that stands between the two refrains, being essentially a statement that God answered their prayers.
“Oh that men would praise Jehovah, etc.” (Psa 107:8). This is the second refrain which occurs again in Psa 107:15; Psa 107:21; Psa 107:31. It is a repeated call for men to honor the lovingkindness of God and his wonderful works on behalf of the children of men by praising him.
“For he satisfieth the longing soul, and the hungry soul he filleth with good” (Psa 107:9). This might be paraphrased as, “God answers prayers.” This reminds us of the words of the Savior who said, “Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Mat 5:6).
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 107:1. The short or momentary extension of mercy does not require so much of a condescension, but the mercy of the Lord endures forever. That does not mean that nothing can terminate it. Unless a person complies with the terms of God’s mercy he will not receive it at all. But as long as those conditions are met, the Lord never fails in his mercy toward the unforunate.
Psa 107:2. The Psalmist is a little more specific in his call for praise. The very fact that a man has been redeemed is proof of the mercy of God. No one will be redeemed on the ground of his own merit; it will be through the mercy of God.
Psa 107:3. Most of my comments on the preceding verse had in view the general fact of God’s mercy and its agency in bringing redemption to man. However, the Psalmist had in mind especially the rescuing of the nation from their enemy nations. Such favors took place in so many instances and under such a variety of circumstances that we will need to be careful in the application of the separate verses of this chapter. Even in the present verse the four points of the compass are named, which shows the writer was taking in a wide scope of history.
Psa 107:4. This verse could have been said of the children of Abraham’s descendants on more than one occasion, hence I will not try to specify anything here.
Psa 107:5. For the evidence of history as an explanation of this verse, one needs only to remember the quail and manna, the smitten rock and the water at Meribah.
Psa 107:6. They cried includes the frequent murmurings at their misfortunes. In even such cases, the Lord heard his people and provided the things needed for comfort.
Psa 107:7. Both city and habitation are from words with wide range of meaning. The outstanding thought is of a place that is settled and permanent, contrasting with the wandering life they had in the wilderness. The passages that illustrate the above thought are too numerous to cite here; let the student read Lev 25:18; Lev 26:5 for two.
Psa 107:8. No writer in the Bible had more to say about praise and thanksgiving to God than David. It is interesting to note, also, that he always had a strong motive for the praise. It was not merely a meaningless expression of sentiment.
Psa 107:9. Soul is used for the whole human being. We should get the thought that both spiritual and temporal blessings all come from God. (Jas 1:17.)
wandered: Psa 107:40, Gen 21:14-16, Num 14:33, Deu 8:15, Deu 32:10, Job 12:24, Eze 34:6, Eze 34:12, Heb 11:38, Rev 12:6
they found: This is the first similitude; in which the Israelites in captivity are compared to travellers in a dreary, uninhabited, and barren desert, spent with hunger and thirst, as well as by the fatigues of the journey.
Reciprocal: Gen 21:17 – fear Job 5:24 – sin Psa 107:7 – that they Ecc 10:15 – because Isa 49:11 – General
Psa 107:4-7. They wandered in the wilderness Where there was no trodden path, no company, but a solitary way. They found no city to dwell in Or rather, no inhabited city, or town, no lodging; no conveniences, no accommodations where they might have refreshment. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted, &c. Spent with the fatigues of their journey, and ready to drop down for want of support. This may refer, 1st, To the wanderings of the Israelites in the wilderness for forty years, when God led them about, (Deu 32:10,) instructed them, and kept them as the apple of his eye. It may refer, 2d, To poor travellers in general, those particularly whose way lay through the wilds of Arabia, where, we may suppose, they were often at a loss; and yet many in that distress were wonderfully relieved, so that few perished. It is applicable, 3d, To our condition in this world; we are here as in a wilderness, have here no continuing city, but dwell in tents as strangers and pilgrims; but we are under the conduct of his wise and good providence, to which if we commit ourselves, we shall be led, in the right way, to the city that hath foundations. They cried unto the Lord in their trouble Earnestly implored his help in their distress and misery; and he delivered them In answer to their prayers, he mercifully extricated them out of their difficulties, and freed them from all their anxieties. And he led them forth Out of the wilderness, where they had lost their way; that they might go to a city of habitation To a place inhabited, where they might find relief for their necessities. Fervent and importunate prayer to the God of our salvation will procure, from above, knowledge to dispel our ignorance, and grace to help our infirmities; the former will discover to us our road, the latter will enable us to walk in it, and both together will carry us, in due time, to the city of our eternal habitation. Horne.
2. Specific instances of deliverance 107:4-32
The writer cited four times when the Israelites cried out to God for deliverance and He saved them (Psa 107:6; Psa 107:13; Psa 107:19; Psa 107:28; cf. Jdg 2:18; Joe 2:32; Act 2:21; Rom 10:13). These situations were answers to the prayer Solomon prayed at the dedication of the temple (cf. 1Ki 8:46-53). At the end of each section, the psalmist reminded the redeemed to thank God with the same refrain (Psa 107:8; Psa 107:15; Psa 107:21; Psa 107:31). The Gospels record Jesus producing the same kinds of deliverance during His earthly ministry.
It is not possible to identify the specific occasion, during the wilderness wanderings, that the writer referred to here. The people were hungry and thirsty and cried out to Yahweh in their distress (cf. Mat 14:13-21; Mat 15:32-39). He delivered them and led them on safely to their destination. Consequently, His people should thank Him for His loyal love and for His wonder-inspiring works for them. Yahweh provided the basic necessities of life for His people.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)