Psalm 107 (106):18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If this proclamation signifies praising God, it resides not merely on our lips but also within our hearts. Constantly, I will sing His praises. The repetition of Hallelujah echoes the dual cries of Abba, Father, highlighting a deep relationship with God. The Apostle affirms this connection, proclaiming that through Him we cry, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). This duality emphasizes that both the Jewish and Gentile believers share one faith, united in Christ—our Cornerstone, binding us together.

Let us acknowledge the Lord’s sweetness according to His mercy (Psalm 105:1). Confess His goodness—if you’ve tasted it, share your experience. One cannot proclaim sweetness if they have never chosen to taste. If you have savored how delightful the Lord is (1 Peter 2:3), make your confession. His mercy lasts forever, reflected in the worshipful phrase “for ever” which corresponds to the Greek term εἰς αἰῶνα. His mercy is not fleeting; it is enduring, intended for all who dwell faithfully, that they might live eternally with the angels.

Let those redeemed by the Lord speak of His deliverance, freed from the hold of their enemies (Psalm 105:2). The Israelites were indeed freed from Egypt, escaping slavery and toil. However, it is essential to discern who truly experiences this redemption. Those who are liberated are the very people He has redeemed. Those gathered from various regions, including lands within Egypt, represent the broader scope of redemption—spanning east, west, north, and south (Psalm 105:3). These people of God break free from the vast domain of Egypt, guided miraculously as through the Red Sea (Exodus 14:22), symbolizing baptism that cleanses the sins of the oppressors.

These occurrences were written for our benefit, serving as lessons for us at the culmination of the ages (1 Corinthians 10:11). The community wandered in a desolate wilderness without finding a city to inhabit (Psalm 105:4). The depth of their suffering became clear; they were hungry and parched, their souls were exhausted (Psalm 106:5). Why did their spirits falter? It is not due to cruel treatment from God. Rather, He makes Himself known through goodness, prompting the weary to seek Him, and in so doing, inspires love through His assistance. After enduring hardships, hunger, and thirst, they cried out to the Lord in their distress, and He rescued them (Psalm 105:6). What guidance did He provide during their wanderings? He led them along a righteous path (Psalm 106:7). Even in their struggles with hunger and thirst, He steered them toward the city where they would find rest. While the specifics of His provision for their needs may not be fully detailed, it is understood that His mercies and wondrous deeds are worthy of proclamation (Psalm 105:8).

To those who have gained wisdom through experience, remind the inexperienced to seek the Lord who satisfies the hungry soul and fills the longing heart (Psalm 105:9). Those in darkness, bound in adversity and suffering, can affirm this truth (Psalm 105:10). This situation may arise when one attributes their plight to themselves, lacking the grace of God. Rejection of God's counsel (Luke 7:30) stems from pride, leading to rebellion against His word (Psalm 105:11). Ignorant of God’s righteousness, some seek to establish their own and become resistant to divine guidance (Romans 10:3). Their hearts become weary from the burden of their labor (Psalm 105:12). Engage in the battle against sinful desires—if God withdraws His help, one may be able to resist, yet victory eludes them without His aid. When overwhelmed by sin, hearts break in labor, allowing one to humbly cry out, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24). Once freed, one can share the Lord’s mercy. They called out to the Lord in their distress, and He delivered them (Psalm 105:13).

He rescued them from compounding trials, delivering them from darkness and breaking their chains (Psalm 105:14). Let them offer thanks for His mercies and wonders (Psalm 105:15). By lifting the burdens of those who once shackled themselves with their iniquity, God liberated them (Psalm 105:16)—for their pride led to their humiliation, as they discovered their inability to rely solely on their strength.

Their souls grew weary of all nourishment (Psalm 105:18), suffering not from hunger but from excess. Discontentment can lead to spiritual numbness. When they cried out to the Lord amid hardship, He sent His Word and healed them (Psalm 106:20). The evil inherent in overindulgence highlights the need for deliverance. Therefore, let them testify to the Lord’s mercies and wonders directed toward humanity (Psalm 105:21), offering praises and sacrifices of gratitude (Psalm 105:22). Let joyful praises resonate, unmarred by weariness, sadness, or disgust. Rather let them be filled with joy.

Those who navigate the seas on ships and engage in their trade in turbulent waters (Psalm 105:23) illustrate this. The sea frequently represents the nations, as noted in John's Revelation, where he inquired about the identity of the waters and was told they symbolized the nations. Thus, those working upon the stormy seas encounter the Lord's deeds and wonders in the depths (Psalm 105:24). What depths could be more profound than human hearts? It is from these depths that storms of conflict often arise. Yet God desires both leaders and followers alike to call upon Him. At His command, the tempest stilled (Psalm 106:25). In this stillness, the tumult of the storm ceased, advancing toward harbor (Psalm 105:29).

Those undertaking the journey acknowledge the peril and relief from their trials. The apostle Paul commented on his tribulations, noting their overwhelming intensity—beyond what he could endure (2 Corinthians 1:8)—and how that led them to despair of life itself. Filled with joy at their deliverance, they arrive safely in the harbor they sought (Psalm 105:30).

Let all proclaim His mercies and miracles to the children of humanity (Psalm 105:31). In every circumstance, it is not our achievements, strength, or wisdom, but His mercies that deserve acknowledgement. In all our saves, let us love Him deeply and call upon Him in our troubles.

May they exalt Him in the assembly of His people and praise Him with the elders (Psalm 106:32). Let nations, elders, merchants, and sailors proclaim His greatness. What has He accomplished among this assembly? How did He establish it? What rescue did He provide? In opposition to the proud, He grants grace to the humble (James 4:6). Esteemed as righteous, the proud people of Judah—who were exalted due to their lineage from Abraham and were entrusted with God’s revelations (Romans 3:2)—found that their confidence led to their downfall. Thus, God, while cutting off the arrogant, grafted in those humble of spirit, transforming barren rivers into fruitful streams (Psalm 105:33).

Now, look for prophets among the Jews; yet none are found. The familiar flow has ceased, reflecting their spiritual thirst. The pools look fruitful but yield no faith in Christ, no prophets, no sacrifices, and no temples. Why this absence? Due to the corruption of those who reside there. Witness how God opposes the arrogant and extends grace to the humble, converting wilderness into fruitful waters (Psalm 105:35). The hungry found sustenance there (Psalm 105:36)—a reminder of His eternal priesthood after the order of Melchizedek, transcending the limitations of the Aaronic lineage.

As they sowed fields and planted vineyards, they harvested bountifully (Psalm 106:37). The laborers rejoice not merely for the gifts, but for the fruit of their labor (Philippians 4:17). He blessed them abundantly, and their livestock thrived (Psalm 105:38). This remains steadfast; the foundation of God endures, knowing His own (2 Timothy 2:19). Whether spiritually learned or humble, all who walk within the Church find His blessings.

However, they diminished in number and faced adversity (Psalm 105:39). This contraction arises internally. They departed, but were never truly part of us (1 John 2:19). The speaker reflects on those who, despite external similarities, lack true virtue and instead embody mere appearances of godliness. As warned by the Apostle, perilous times shall emerge with individuals enamored with themselves (2 Timothy 3:2). Self-love breeds pride, producing separation from unity. Those who once numbered many see their diminishing as they fracture from community.

They were deeply troubled, suffering scorn from their leaders (Psalm 105:40). Although they aspired to positions of authority, they faced disdain, becoming like salt that lost its flavor, rendered trampled by men (Matthew 5:13). He guided them along desolate paths, leading them astray, contrasted with those who pursue the city without faltering. Instead, they found themselves lost as God allowed them to follow their own desires (Romans 1:24). In essence, they betrayed themselves.

But God lifted the poor out of hardship (Psalm 105:41). This serves as a lesson: while princes may be dismissed, the humble receive assistance. The arrogant are overlooked, while the meek are cared for. From one man, forgotten and destitute, emerges a household represented by sheep—indicating a multitude of believers, nations, and churches bound as one (Psalm 105:41). These are profound truths, filled with significance—pleasant to uncover, even if long concealed. Therefore, the righteous will recognize these truths and rejoice, while every wicked soul will ultimately be silenced (Psalm 106:42). Wickedness that resists unity will face condemnation, rendering them voiceless.

Who possesses wisdom? May they ponder these truths and recognize the mercy of the Lord (Psalm 105:43). It lies not in personal accolades, strength, or abilities, but in the Lord's compassionate grace. When lost and needy, He set them back on the right path, nourished their souls, and delivered them from sin's snares. He restored them with His Word when spiritual exhaustion set in, calming life’s storms and guiding them home to grace. Those who witness this know joy, while all evil is silenced.

According to Didymus and Isychius, he refers to the gates of death as the grave sins that lead to a man's spiritual demise. Alternatively, he visually identifies the gates of death with death itself. He also states that the Gentiles cried out to God during their suffering, and He provided deliverance, as previously mentioned. It is why Paul declared: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Nyssa adds: Iniquity itself embodies humility. This notion aligns with the words of another prophet, who likens iniquity to a burden of lead, illustrating that evil is oppressive and humiliating, capable of pulling down even those exalted due to their resemblance to God. Didyma refers to the verse saying: He kept them from the path of their iniquity, which also relates to the thief who repented while on the cross. Despite being in the midst of his wrongdoing (condemned for theft) and humbled by the consequences of his actions, the Lord had already interceded for him, proclaiming, Today you shall be with me in paradise. Theodoret notes that this word did not seek to deceive them. Indeed, some condemned Socrates to death, others subjected Anaxarchus to harsh punishment, and others cruelly tormented the followers of Pythagoras, leading to his untimely demise. Yet God, who is sovereign over all, provided them with a share of everlasting sustenance. The Word reached even to the gates of death, so that those who stumbled could grasp the hand of salvation, as they had turned away from His life-giving nourishment. It was said to Adam: ‘Eat from every tree in this garden.’ Just as every tree signifies the fullness of all good, this Scripture identifies the true and all-powerful food, while turning away from it leads to weakness that culminates in death. However, calling upon God transforms calamity into victory, as is stated: and he called upon God, and he again called upon God. Isikhia clarifies that by all food he signifies the Word as sustenance, for from this all types of nourishment, man was deprived; having ignored both the natural law and the written law, he approached the gates of death. Chrysostom highlights how frequently he points out the advantages of trials. For it is emphasized that through proclamation they were saved, and that by believing, they turned to God, demonstrating the significant benefit of their release from former captivity.

Those who recover from minor illnesses do not as meaningfully recognize God's hand, which becomes starkly visible when renewed strength is granted to those who were nearly lifeless. Therefore, he states: "And from their needs, as from many deaths, I have saved them." Additionally, there are other conditions the Prophet mentions, saying: "They came near to the gates of death, and their souls were troubled with every kind of pain." It has been previously noted regarding the cries for help; those reaching the brink of utter despair call out to God, acknowledging that if the Lord had not intervened in a miraculous way, they would have faced complete destruction.

In the shadow of demonic idolatry, many roam in darkness, failing to recognize the light of true Christ the Lord. Poverty signifies the absence of God's grace, while chains symbolize the harshness of sin. God's commandments serve as His divine instruction, cautioning against the worship of idols.