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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - Psalms 107:10 - 107:10
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Others suffered imprisonment and bonds; but through Him who had decreed this as punishment for them, they also again reached the light of freedom. Just as in the first strophe, here, too, as far as יֹודוּ in Psa 107:15, is all a compound subject; and in view of this the poet begins with participles. “Darkness and the shadow of death” (vid., Psa 23:4) is an Isaianic expression, Isa 9:1 (where יֹשְׁבֵי is construed with בְ), Psa 42:7 (where יֹשְׁבֵי is construed as here, cf. Gen 4:20; Zec 2:11), just as “bound in torture and iron” takes its rise from Job 36:8. The old expositors call it a hendiadys for “torturing iron” (after Psa 105:18); but it is more correct to take the one as the general term and the other as the particular: bound in all sorts of affliction from which they could not break away, and more particularly in iron bonds (בַּרְזֶל, like the Arabic firzil, an iron fetter, vid., on Psa 105:18). In Psa 107:11, which calls to mind Isa 5:19, and with respect to Psa 107:12, Isa 3:8, the double play upon the sound of the words is unmistakeable. By עֵצָה is meant the plan in accordance with which God governs, more particularly His final purpose, which lies at the basis of His leadings of Israel. Not only had they nullified this purpose of mercy by defiant resistance (הִמְרָה) against God's commandments (אִמְרֵי, Arabic awâmir, âmireh) on their part, but they had even blasphemed it; נָאָץ, Deu 32:19, and frequently, or נִאֵץ (prop. to pierce, then to treat roughly), is an old Mosaic designation of blasphemy, Deu 31:20; Num 14:11, Num 14:23; Num 16:30. Therefore God thoroughly humbled them by afflictive labour, and caused them to stumble (כָּשַׁל). But when they were driven to it, and prayed importunately to Him, He helped them out of their straits. The refrain varies according to recognised custom. Twice the expression is ויצעקו, twice ויזעקו; once יצילם, then twice יושׁיעם, and last of all יוציאם, which follows here in Psa 107:14 as an alliteration. The summary condensation of the deliverance experienced (Psa 107:16) is moulded after Isa 45:2. The Exile, too, may be regarded as such like a large jail (vid., e.g., Isa 42:7, Isa 42:22); but the descriptions of the poet are not pictures, but examples.