Psalm 107 (106):26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This psalm highlights the mercies of God, which have been personally experienced, making it particularly meaningful to those who have endured trials. It is indeed remarkable how only those who have learned through experience can truly appreciate the messages conveyed in this psalm. Yet, it was penned not for an individual or a few, but for the community of believers, allowing them to see themselves reflected within its verses. The title, "Hallelujah," needs no further explanation, as it is a powerful declaration of praise. We have a tradition of singing it during specific times in our worship, which carries profound significance on those occasions. Although we sing "Alleluia" on particular days, we contemplate it daily. For this term signifies the act of praising God, which, though it may not flow from our lips, should certainly arise from our hearts. His praise shall forever be my proclamation. The repetition of "Hallelujah" in the title is not unique to this psalm; it is mirrored in earlier scriptures. It appears that this was a collective expression of worship among the Israelites and is continually sung by the global Church, united in faith. Perhaps the double occurrence of "Alleluia" also echo our cry of "Abba, Father," for in one sense, "Abba" signifies Father; hence, as the Apostle reminds us, it is in Him we cry out, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15), where two entities lift their voices of recognition toward the single Cornerstone, who unifies all.

Let those redeemed by the Lord declare His goodness, for He has rescued them from their adversaries (Psalm 105:2). The Israelites’ liberation from Egypt illustrates their rescue from bondage and despair; yet, we must ask whether these voices belong to those truly liberated from Egypt. The answer lies with those who are redeemed. They are indeed liberated from their captors, but we can also apply this to the broader scope of those delivered from oppressors like the Egyptians. He has called together His people from distant lands; even within Egypt, there are various regions. He speaks of gathering them from the east, west, north, and sea (Psalm 105:3), painting the picture of the redeemed from every corner of the earth. The people of God, freed from the vast land of Egypt, traverse as if through the Red Sea (Exodus 14:22), signifying in Baptism an end to their enemies. Through this sacrament, sanctified by Christ’s blood, they wash away the sins represented by their oppressors. All of these events were a shadow of the greater truths, written for our instruction, since the fulfillment of time has come (1 Corinthians 10:11).

They roamed through a barren wilderness, lacking direction to find a home (Psalm 105:4). It is a dire state of wandering; they faced hunger and thirst, their souls fainting within them (Psalm 106:5). Why did they become despondent? It is not due to God’s harshness, but rather His goodness reveals their need for Him, allowing them to call out in weariness and learn to love Him in their deliverance. After enduring hunger and thirst, they cried to the Lord in their distress, and He rescued them from their troubles (Psalm 105:6). Amid their wandering, He guided them along a straight path (Psalm 106:7), leading them toward a city of refuge. Although the specifics of how He addressed their hunger and thirst are absent, it is anticipated that the wonders and mercies of the Lord be acknowledged (Psalm 105:8). Those seasoned in faith should teach the uninitiated, sharing the joy found in chasing after that city and finally experiencing freedom from all want, for He fills the hungry with goodness (Psalm 105:9).

Those in darkness, enveloped in the shadows of death and bound by poverty and despair (Psalm 105:10), may suffer because they rely solely on themselves, missing the grace of God and neglecting His guidance (Luke 7:30). Because they turned away from the Lord’s commands out of pride (Psalm 105:11), they encountered hardships, failing to recognize the righteousness of God while pursuing their own (Romans 10:3). Their hearts became weary under the toil of sin (Psalm 105:12). If one fights against desires without God’s assistance, they might resist, but true victory escapes them. As one grapples with their wretchedness, a humble heart can yearn for deliverance: “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24). Upon deliverance, one will laud the mercy of the Lord. They cried out to Him in anguish, and He freed them from their distress (Psalm 105:13). They were liberated from their trials; yet, fatigue and disgust remained. But consider what He did for them after their liberation. He brought them from darkness and the shadow of death and shattered their chains (Psalm 105:14). They should proclaim the Lord's mercies and wonders to all the children of men (Psalm 105:15). Why? For He overcame numerous challenges, breaking down barriers of oppression (Psalm 105:16). He redirected them from their iniquities, for their unrighteousness had cast them low (Psalm 105:17). Exalting themselves above God, they declared their own righteousness without acknowledging the righteousness of the Creator (Romans 10:3), and as a result, they were laid low. They discovered their utter helplessness without His aid, relying merely on their frail strength.

Their souls loathed any sustenance (Psalm 105:18), suffering from overindulgence. They grew weary not from hunger, but from excess. When it states their soul abhorred all food, it suggests that satiety poses a danger to them; they could perish, not from lack, but from excess. Observe what follows. In the midst of God's Word being a delight to them, they must not succumb to arrogance or look down upon those still in peril from overindulgence. They cried out to the Lord in their distress and He delivered them from their troubles (Psalm 105:19). Recognizing discontent as a sickness, He sent His Word and healed them (Psalm 106:20). Acknowledge the malice inherent in satiety; notice from where He rescues those who lament and detest their sustenance. He dispatched His Word to mend them, liberating them not merely from wandering or hunger but from moral decay. To detest good things signifies a corruption of the spirit. Thus let all taste of this goodness and confess to the Lord for His mercies and wonders (Psalm 105:21). They should offer a sacrifice of praise (Psalm 105:22), celebrating alongside Him with joy, not with weariness, sadness, anxiety, or disgust.

Those who travel the seas in ships, laboring in tumultuous waters (Psalm 105:23), indeed signify the nations. The scriptures often associate water with nations, as evidenced in John’s Revelation when it is stated, "These waters are the nations." Those embarking on their ventures amid great waves observe the Lord’s works and His wonders in the depths (Psalm 105:24). For what is deeper than the hearts of men? It is often from here that tempests arise; the storms of rebellion and strife agitate their vessels. What transpires? God, desiring both rulers and subjects alike to call on Him, speaks, and the raging storm is calmed (Psalm 106:25). What does it mean, to stand still? It signifies halting, remaining tumultuous, yet eventually settling. They soared to great heights and plummeted to the depths, their hearts troubled and lost like drunken sailors (Psalm 105:26-27). Those at the helm and those who cherish the vessel understand these sentiments. When they speak or interpret, they may seem wise, but alas, amid storms, even their wisdom is consumed. At times human guidance fails; wherever one turns, tumult encircles, the gale ferociously rages. Pilots cannot discern which direction to steer, where the waves will strike, or how to safeguard against danger. What follows is simply this: they cried unto the Lord when they faced calamity, and He delivered them from their trials (Psalm 105:28). He commanded the storm, the winds ceased, and the sea grew calm (Psalm 105:29). Listen to the voice of a helmsman gripped by dread, overwhelmed yet rescued. "For I don’t want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the troubles we faced in Asia, that we were burdened beyond our ability to endure" (2 Corinthians 1:8). They were overwhelmed with despair and welcomed death. But in their relief, they rejoiced when peace returned, as He directed them to their desired haven (Psalm 105:30). May all declare His mercies and miracles to the children of men (Psalm 105:31). Let not our merits, strength, or wisdom be celebrated, but rather His mercy acknowledged in all situations. May we love Him in every deliverance and seek Him in every hardship.

Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the faithful, praising Him in the presence of the elders (Psalm 106:32). Let all nations and leaders, merchants and sailors, extol Him. What has He achieved in this assembly? What foundation has He set? From what affliction has He delivered them? It is His grace that empowers the humble and opposes the proud (James 4:6). The proud, symbolizing the nation of Judah, boast in their heritage and in being entrusted with God’s oracles (Romans 3:2). Such elevating pride did not lead to righteousness but rather led to their downfall. Therefore, what actions has God taken? He brings low the proud and bestows grace upon the humble; even severing the natural branches for their arrogance, He grafts in those who are humble. He transformed flowing rivers into barren wastelands (Psalm 105:33). In that land where waters should nourish, prophecies have gone unfulfilled. Look for a prophet amongst the Jews, and one will not be found. The wells have become dry, leaving them parched. They lament, “There is no longer a prophet among us; we are forsaken.” The fecundity has turned to salt flats (Psalm 105:34). Seek faith, and it remains hidden; long for a prophet, and you will find none; desire a sacrifice, and it eludes your grasp. Why this void? Wickedness reigns among the inhabitants thereof. Observe how He resists the proud and empowers the humble. He transformed the wilderness into a reservoir and the parched land into streams (Psalm 105:35). The hungry found sustenance there (Psalm 105:36). For it was declared, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Seek a sacrifice among the Jews, where none exists according to the Aaronic order. Find instead the universal Church, where the sacrifice is celebrated worldwide. From dawn till dusk, the name of the Lord is exalted.

And they received the fruits of their labors, sowing fields and reaping abundantly (Psalm 106:37). The joy of the laborer lies not in the gift itself but in the harvest yielded (Philippians 4:17). And He blessed them abundantly, multiplying their numbers and preserving their livestock (Psalm 105:38). This truth remains: the foundation of God stands solid, for the Lord knows those who belong to Him (2 Timothy 2:19). Livestock and cattle symbolize those within the Church, often perceived as humble and simple, yet possessing great faith. Consequently, whether spiritually or carnally, He blesses them.

The Prophet conveys that under God's guidance, while we may encounter hardships, we also experience blessings. Their spirit was consumed by wickedness—refer to verse 27.

He remarked that the wind transformed into a tumultuous spirit, causing waves to rise. They climb up to the heights and plunge down to the depths. Jesus states that the Lord allowed this, leading to a fierce tempest, as noted by Mark the Evangelist, with the waves crashing against the boat until it was nearly swamped (Mark 4:37). The sea's waves surged high and then fell low, as typically seen during a severe storm. The phrases about ascending to the heights and descending to the depths employ hyperbole, similar to expressions like Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow (Ps. 50:7) or we were as grasshoppers before them (Num. 13:33), with various other examples of this type of exaggeration found in Scripture, according to Didymus.

Here, the author refers to the trials that incite a restless spirit, a spirit in opposition, which God permits for the testing and manifestation of the just. God explicitly demonstrates how He allowed the adversary to tempt by questioning Job, “Can you think me otherwise than what you have created, that you may appear righteous” (Job 40:3)? Just as fire refines gold, so temptations are for the souls, purifying them not to bring destruction but to unveil their true brilliance.

In this passage, the Prophet illustrates, much like a reflection, the deep concern that God has for humanity. He guides those at sea to safety, leading them from the depths of darkness into the light. When he mentions that sailors witness the marvels of God in the ocean's depths, it should not be interpreted merely as the myriad wonders found within the sea. While it's true that sailors often testify to God's works—since more miraculous events occur at sea than on land—this is connected to the subsequent verses where the Prophet elucidates how God creates and calms storms.

The prophet joyfully exalts God Almighty for His innumerable blessings generously bestowed upon the Jewish people, bringing them deliverance from every trial and hardship through His great mercy, particularly toward those who believe in Christ the Lord. He desires that all humanity be saved and embrace the truth, leading to eternal victory (1 Tim). The righteous experience everlasting life through God's mercy, having been rescued by Christ the Savior from sin and death. From every corner of the earth, people unite in faith in Christ, the true God, forming one holy Church. The Body and Blood of Christ satisfy the spiritual thirst of the faithful. In the shadows of demonic idolatry, many remain blind to the light of Christ the Lord. Spiritual poverty signifies the absence of God's grace, while the chains of sin represent the harshness of transgression. God's commandments are His words, and His counsel warns against the worship of idols.