Psalms 107:7
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
He led them on a straight path to reach a city where they could live.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The psalmist, having in the two foregoing psalms celebrated the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, in his dealings with his church in particular, here observes some of the instances of his providential care of the children of men in general, especially in their distresses; for he is not only King of saints, but King of nations, not only the God of Israel, but the God of the whole earth, and a common Father to all mankind. Though this may especially refer to Israelites in their personal capacity, yet there were those who pertained not to the commonwealth of Israel and yet were worshippers of the true God; and even those who worshipped images had some knowledge of a supreme "Numen," to whom, when they were in earnest, they looked above all their false gods. And of these, when they prayed in their distresses, God took a particular care, I. The psalmist specifies some of the most common calamities of human life, and shows how God succours those that labour under them, in answer to their prayers. 1. Banishment and dispersion (Psa 107:2-9). 2. Captivity and imprisonment (Psa 107:10-16). 3. Sickness and distemper of body (Psa 107:17-22). 4. Danger and distress at sea (Psa 107:23-32). These are put for all similar perils, in which those that cry unto God have ever found him a very present help. II. He specifies the varieties and vicissitudes of events concerning nations and families, in all which God's hand is to be eyed by his own people, with joyful acknowledgments of his goodness (Psa 107:33-43). When we are in any of these or the like distresses it will be comfortable to sing this psalm, with application; but, if we be not, others are, and have been, of whose deliverances it becomes us to give God the glory, for we are members one of another.
Open source ↗107:7-8 God led them like a shepherd (see 23:1). • Verse 8 is a refrain that is repeated in 107:15, 21, 31.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.”
Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels
You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no path to a city in which to dwell.
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
He causes the hungry to settle there, that they may establish a city in which to dwell.
He led out His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness.
And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”
These are the heads of the provinces who settled in Jerusalem. (In the villages of Judah, however, each lived on his own property in their towns—the Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants, and descendants of Solomon’s servants—
Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.