Psalm 107:33-43

Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Various Troubles

A further section describes the life of the tillers of the soil when they are deprived of the needed moisture in their fields, as well as when they receive an abundance of rain.

V. 33. He turneth rivers into a wilderness, the earth’s productiveness being changed to sterility by His withholding the sources of fertility, and the water-springs into dry ground; v. 34. a fruitful land into barrenness, into alkali deserts, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein,punishing the inhabitants for their sins. There are many examples of this fact in many parts of the world. On the other hand, the Lord sends bountiful blessings upon men.

V. 35. He turneth the wilderness, the bare and apparently Unfruitful desert, into a standing water, so that pools of water will be found there, and dry ground into water-springs.

V. 36. And there He maketh the hungry to dwell, giving them dwellings, homes, in the former wilderness,that they may prepare a city for habitation, since the country proved rich enough to sustain a large population, v. 37. and sow the fields and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase, the husbandman getting rich returns for his labors.

V. 38. He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly, all the conditions surrounding them being favorable to such an increase; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease. Such are the blessings of the Lord which should be acknowledged by men with due thanks, both in proclaiming His goodness and in serving Him according to His will.

The final paragraph refers to such as are suffering under misrule and tyranny. V. 39. Again, they are diminished, their prosperity being reduced by adverse circumstances, and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow, brought upon them on account of the jealousy of those in power.

V. 40. He poureth contempt upon princes and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way, in pitiful exile. V. 41. Yet setteth He the poor on high from affliction, far from the reach of suffering, and maketh him families like a flock, this feature occurring time and again as an outstanding characteristic of God’s blessing.

V. 42. The righteous, those who are upright in heart, shall see it and rejoice; and, on the other hand, all iniquity shall stop her mouth, the arrogant for once being obliged to maintain silence at this evidence of God’s favor.

V. 43. Whoso is wise and will observe these things,he who will take note of these facts, profit by the example of others, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord, they will keep His merciful dealings in mind always.

It is a lesson which cannot be learned too well or repeated too often, a lesson which all true Christians hold before their eyes every day, lest they forget their debt to the Lord and become lax in His service.