Psalm 107 (106):33Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This psalm extols the mercies of God that have been personally experienced, making it especially meaningful to those who have felt His grace. It is doubtful that anyone outside of such experience can truly appreciate the messages conveyed within this psalm. Not intended for individuals but for the entire assembly of God's people, it serves to reflect their identity as though gazing into a mirror. The title of the psalm is clear and significant, proclaiming "Hallelujah" emphatically. We incorporate it into our communal worship on certain occasions, following traditional Church practices, and it holds a deep spiritual significance on specific days. While we express "Alleluia" on designated days, we think of it daily. The "Alleluia" signifies the praise of God, which rises not merely from lips but truly from the heart; His praise is forever on my lips. Notably, the repetition of "Hallelujah" is common not just here but across the psalm, affirming its ancient roots among the people of Israel and echoing within today’s universal Church scattered across the globe. This dual "Alleluia" may symbolically reflect our calling to the Father, as indicated when we cry "Abba, Father," acknowledging that while Abba denotes the Father, the Apostle also taught that we pray in Him, referring to Romans 8:15. The unity in the Cornerstone, who is Christ, binds us together from different walks of life.

Let the people redeemed by the Lord proclaim His goodness, those who have been set free from their adversaries, as highlighted in Psalm 105:2. The Israelites were liberated from Egypt, escaping slavery, hardship, and unclean labor. Yet, we must discern whether those declaring this deliverance are genuinely amongst those freed by God from Egypt. They are indeed the redeemed. This proclamation could extend to all redeemed from their enemies, specifically their captors. Let us express what truly defines them, for this psalm calls the community of God’s people to rejoice. He has gathered them from various lands; indeed, Egypt represents many locations within even a single territory. From the east and the west, from the north and the seas, as noted in Psalm 105:3, we recognize God’s redemption is global. This delivered assembly navigated their exodus akin to crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 14:22), marking their new life in baptism, where the sins symbolized by their oppressors are washed away. These events serve as shadows of what was to come, and they remind us that they were recorded for our encouragement, as stated in 1 Corinthians 10:11.

They wandered in the barren wilderness and found no route to a dwelling place, as mentioned in Psalm 105:4. In their despair due to hunger and thirst, their souls were weary within them (Psalm 106:5). But why did they falter? God is not unkind, but rather reveals Himself through beneficial experiences to encourage us to seek His aid when we are weary, that we may love Him in return. In their suffering, they turned to the Lord amidst their distress, and He rescued them from their troubles (Psalm 105:6). He guided them along a straight path (Psalm 106:7) towards a city where they could find rest. Although it does not specify how He addressed their hunger and thirst, He calls us to proclaim His mercies and wonders (Psalm 105:8) to one another, for those who have journeyed far and have been directed to the city, freed from their soul’s hunger, now rejoice as the Lord fills the hungry heart with good gifts (Psalm 105:9).

Those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, shackled by poverty and oppression (Psalm 105:10)—where does their plight originate? Is it not that they have relied on their own strength and failed to embrace God's grace? They have resisted His guidance (Luke 7:30), fueled by pride (Psalm 105:11) and an unawareness of His righteousness, instead desiring to establish their own (Romans 10:3). They have hardened their hearts against His guidance and consequently suffered under toil (Psalm 105:12). Resist sinful desires: though one may struggle against them, without divine assistance, true victory is elusive. When burdened by iniquity, their hearts labor in anguish until, with humbled spirits, they cry out, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24) When delivered, they will proclaim the Lord’s grace. They cried out to the Lord in their distress, and He rescued them from their troubles (Psalm 105:13). This deliverance removed them from further entrapment. While weariness and disgust linger, we should first recall the aid He provided upon their release, freeing them from darkness and death’s shadow, breaking their chains (Psalm 105:14). They should testify of His mercies and wonders (Psalm 105:15), celebrating His triumph over adversity by shattering the gates of bronze and the bonds of iron (Psalm 105:16). He led them away from sin because their unrighteousness humbled them (Psalm 105:17), showing that reliance on self without seeking God breeds despair.

Their souls loathed all sustenance (Psalm 105:18). Here, they encountered a different distress—saturation. While starvation may threaten life, the perils of excessive consumption can corrupt the spirit. The next verse illustrates this danger, as it states their souls abhorred food, not to imply safety from overindulgence but rather to highlight the risk posed by it, nearing death’s door. What remains? Even when God's Word brings you joy, do not fall into self-reliance or harbor arrogance, nor scorn those struggling with excess. They called upon the Lord amidst their trials, and He sent forth His Word and healed them (Psalm 106:20). Observe how the Lord rescues from the degradation that accompanies indulgence; to despise God's gifts points to a corruption of the heart. Let them, therefore, acknowledge the Lord's mercies and His wonders (Psalm 105:21), restoring their voices as they offer a sacrifice of praise (Psalm 105:22). Let every proclamation be made with joy, devoid of weariness, sadness, anxiety, or revulsion.

Those who navigate the seas in ships, laboring amid turbulent waters (Psalm 105:23), represent diverse nations; John’s Revelation clarifies that the waters represent nations. Those who toil on mighty waters have witnessed the works of the Lord and His amazing deeds in the depths (Psalm 105:24). What could be deeper than the human heart? Yet, from this depth arise the winds that stir storms of rebellion, tossing vessels on angry seas. What does God do? With a desire for both leaders and followers to call upon Him, He spoke, and the winds stilled (Psalm 106:25). Their fearful souls found themselves soaring as if to heaven, yet plunging to the abyss (Psalm 105:26), troubled as though intoxicated (Psalm 105:27). Those navigating know this feeling well; wisdom may seem present in conversation and study, but the storm swallows it whole. Moreover, when human wisdom fails and the ocean swells, brutality prevails while the vessel's fate hangs in uncertainty. Eventually, they cried unto the Lord in their anguish, and He saved them from calamities (Psalm 105:28). He commanded the storm, and peace returned (Psalm 105:29). Hear the voice of the captain, nearly overwhelmed, yet rejoicing in deliverance, stating that he would not leave his brethren ignorant of their peril in Asia, admitting they were burdened beyond measure, stumbling in despair (2 Corinthians 1:8). They rejoiced because they found calm and were brought to the harbor of their hopes (Psalm 105:30). Allow His mercies and miracles to be declared among people (Psalm 105:31). In all things, let us acknowledge not our own merits but His profound grace. We should love Him in every deliverance and call upon Him in times of need.

Let them exalt Him amidst the community and praise Him in the assembly of elders (Psalm 106:32). Let both the nations and leaders, merchants and seafarers uplift His name. What has He accomplished in this gathering? What has He put in place? From what has He rescued them? How has He blessed this assembly? Notably, He resisted the proud while offering grace to the humble (James 4:6). Those of Judah, proud because of their lineage from Abraham and privileged with God’s revelation (Romans 3:2), have found this favor a source of arrogance rather than humility. Thus, God’s response was to cut off the proud while grafting the humble wild olive into His heritage. He transformed rivers into desolation (Psalm 105:33) and dried up flowing waters. Seek a prophet among the Jews—none could be found. He made them barren, suffusing them with thirst. They lamented, "There are no more prophets; we have been forsaken." The once fertile ground has become salt lakes (Psalm 105:34). Seek faith in Christ there, and you will not find it, nor is there sacrifice or temple. This is a consequence of the wickedness of their inhabitants. Observe how He opposes the arrogant and favorably regards the meek. He turns the desolation into springs of water and transforms dry ground into flowing streams (Psalm 105:35). Here, He dwells among the hungry (Psalm 105:36), fulfilling the eternal priesthood of Melchizedek. Among the Jews, no sacrifice suffices under Aaron's lineage—seek it in Melchizedek, for it thrives in the Church worldwide. The name of the Lord is honored from dawn till dusk. They cultivated fields, planted vineyards, and harvested bountifully (Psalm 106:37), celebrating not simply for the gift but for the fruit (Philippians 4:17). He blessed them immensely, and their livestock thrived (Psalm 105:38). The foundation of God remains firm; the Lord knows His own (2 Timothy 2:19). The humble, though unlearned, carry a faith that proves invaluable.

Despite flourishing, they became few and faced distress (Psalm 105:39). What caused this? Not external forces, but internal strife. They left our ranks yet were not truly of us (1 John 2:19). Thus, they are described collectively, as though one, sharing the outward appearance of godliness. Yet, as the Apostle warned, “In the last days, perilous times will come, and many will be self-absorbed” (2 Timothy 3:2). The essence of this evil is self-love, wherein individuals take delight in themselves instead of in God. If they were truly focused on God, they would cry out in tribulation to be saved from hardship. However, despite their presumptuousness, they dwindled. It becomes evident: those who separate themselves from unity ultimately become few. The multitude seemingly disperses upon losing communal connection; in heresy and division, they lose their strength. They experienced anguish and are scorned in their pride (Psalm 105:40), rejected by the Body of Christ, yet sought prominence, only to be diminished and become like salt devoid of its flavor, stepped on by men (Matthew 5:13). God led them through paths of desolation, unlike those aligned toward the city, a route that diverged from guidance. Normally, He directs those seeking unity, yet these were led astray, betraying themselves to their own desires (Romans 1:24). "Led astray" indicates an abandonment to their own inclinations. The Lord lifted the poor from their dejection (Psalm 105:41). The proud were cast away, while He uplifted the humble.

He emerged as a shepherd for the downtrodden, converting a single poor man into an extended household resembling sheep. This singular figure now encompasses many families and nations, illustrating profound mysteries and layers of meaning that are delightful to unearth, even when hidden for ages. Therefore, the righteous shall see these truths and rejoice, while the mouths of the wicked shall be silenced (Psalm 106:42). Wickedness, which disrupts unity and compels reality’s revelation, will be adjudicated, leaving no voice to oppose.

He established streams in the desolate places. This refers to the unbridled and forsaken lineage of the Jews, as He provided sustenance for the Jews, who were spiritually famished and in search of nourishment, near these streams.

Those who have received salvation rejoice in His glory, recognizing the remarkable transformation. Once nourished by numerous prophetic streams and yielding fruitful offerings to God, they now find themselves lacking even the smallest amount of water. Their wrongdoing has left them completely bereft of their previous sustenance.

He placed rivers in the desert and springs of water in parched lands. He transformed fruitful lands into desolation due to the wickedness of those who inhabit them. He converted dry wilderness into lakes and barren spaces into sources of water. The Lord, as stated, fashioned a desert void of wisdom from those wise Hellenes, who once flowed like rivers with their eloquence but whose voices were stifled by fishermen and His unlettered apostles. According to Isychius, God turned the verbal torrents of the Hellenes into arid soil, represented by the Jewish populace, which once yielded fruit—namely the prophets—into barrenness, as explained by Athanasius, Cyril, and Isychius; for the salty ground bears no fruit.

Taking his staff and bag, as is customary for the monks in that region, he personally guided us to his city of Panefis, rather than designating a guide. The area where this city is located, along with a significant portion of the neighboring territory, was once exceptionally fertile; it is said that food from this region nourished the entire area. However, following the earthquake that struck, the raging sea receded from the land, inundating and devastating nearly all the surrounding villages.

It frequently occurs that even the most productive lands can become desolate, while barren and arid regions may acquire a surprising fertility. What causes one nation to fall into desolation while another flourishes abundantly? Is it not due to God's displeasure with the inhabitants of a certain land, leading Him to withdraw His blessings and bestow them upon another, to sustain the needy? The fact that many areas in Asia and Greece, once renowned for their richness, now appear barren might be ascribed to a mere few individuals; however, when experience reveals that while some lands dry up, others yield fruitfulness, doesn’t this clearly demonstrate the divine Providence praised by the Prophet?

The prophet expresses heartfelt praise to God Almighty, rejoicing in His immeasurable blessings bestowed upon the Jewish people. Through acts of divine mercy, He has rescued them from various hardships and tribulations, particularly those who have faith in Christ the Lord. God desires that all individuals receive salvation and embrace the truth, leading to eternal victory, as stated in 1 Timothy. The righteous dwell eternally under God's mercy, having been liberated by Christ the Savior from sin and death. From every corner of the globe, believers unite in a single faith in Christ, the true God, forming one holy Church. The Body and Blood of Christ satiate the spiritual hunger of the faithful.