Psalm 107 (106):35Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This psalm extols the kindness of God that has been personally experienced, making it more precious to those who have felt His mercy. It is remarkable that only someone who has encountered God's faithfulness can truly appreciate the messages within this psalm. It was composed not for just a few individuals but for the entire community of believers, intending for them to recognize their own reflections in it like a mirror. The title of this psalm needs no further explanation, as it is simply "Hallelujah," repeated for emphasis. We typically sing this during specific moments in our worship services, following the cherished customs of the Church; our singing of it holds profound and sacred significance on designated days. We proclaim "Alleluia" at various times, but we maintain it in our hearts daily, as this term signifies the praise of God, not just on our lips but truly from our hearts. His praise will ever be constant in me. The repetition of "Hallelujah" within the title highlights a rich spiritual truth recognized not only in this psalm but also in the first. As noted in its verses, it was sung by the Israelites and now resonates through the worldwide body of Christ. Perhaps the double "Alleluia" is fitting because we cry out, "Abba, Father." Since "Abba" translates to "Father," the Apostle teaches us, "in whom we cry, Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15). It symbolizes a united cry from all believers, converging upon the Cornerstone of our faith, which reconciles us all.

Let those rescued by the Lord acknowledge His goodness, for He has redeemed them from their adversaries (Psalm 105:2). The Israelites indeed experienced redemption from Egypt, freeing them from slavery and fruitless toil. Yet, we must discern who these redeemed truly are. They are not merely the ancient Israelites who escaped Egypt but rather all who have been rescued by the Lord. It can be said that they were redeemed from the Egyptians, illustrating their liberation. The psalm declares how He gathered them from diverse lands, including Egypt, emphasizing that even within a single region, there is much diversity. He has called them from the east and the west, from the north and the seas (Psalm 105:3), representing the entirety of God’s redeemed across the earth. This people, liberated from the oppressive "Egypt," traverse the Red Sea (Exodus 14:22) in their baptism, symbolizing their victory over sin and death, washed clean by the redeeming blood of Christ.

All these historical events serve as a type for our instruction, as we are those for whom the culmination of ages has arrived (1 Corinthians 10:11). They wandered into desolation, not perceiving the path to a home (Psalm 105:4). In their misery, they faced hunger and thirst, their spirits fainting within them (Psalm 106:5). But why did they faint? God is not cruel but reveals His goodness, drawing out our pleas in our weariness so that we might love Him more fully. After enduring wandering, hunger, and thirst, they cried out to the Lord in their distress, and He delivered them (Psalm 105:6). While they had wandered, He led them on a right path (Psalm 106:7), granting them entry to their dwelling place. Although the specifics of how He alleviated their hunger and thirst are not detailed, it stands to reason that His mercies and wonders ought to be acknowledged by mankind (Psalm 105:8). Those who are wise and possess experience must impart these truths to those still seeking.

He has nourished the empty and filled the hungry with good things (Psalm 105:9). Some dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, imprisoned by affliction and chains (Psalm 105:10). This plight arises when one attributes their condition solely to themselves, failing to recognize God’s grace and neglecting His guidance (Luke 7:30). As the psalmist reveals, their rebellion against God’s word stemmed from pride (Psalm 105:11), not understanding God's justice while trying to assert their own (Romans 10:3). Consequently, they found themselves exhausted in their toil (Psalm 105:12). They could fight against temptation, but without divine assistance, they would not prevail. When ensnared by wickedness, their hearts could only cry out, "O wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24). Upon receiving deliverance, they will surely acknowledge the Lord’s mercy. They cried out to the Lord amidst their troubles, and He rescued them (Psalm 105:13) from reiterated tests. Although struggles with weariness persisted, let us first recognize how He intervened during their trials. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, breaking their chains (Psalm 105:14). Let them proclaim His mercies and wonders to all people (Psalm 105:15). Why? He shattered the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron (Psalm 105:16), redirecting them away from iniquity, for their unrighteousness had led to their humiliation (Psalm 105:17). They soon discovered that their self-sufficiency left them vulnerable, devoid of God's support.

Their souls loathed all sustenance (Psalm 105:18). They stumbled in their excesses, facing danger from their own complacency. It would be mistaken to assume they could perish from hunger alone; they were in fact at risk from overindulgence. Notice the narrative: when it states that their souls despised all food, it does so for the purpose of revealing the perilous nature of abundance. They faced the gates of death still. What remains for us? Even when God’s word delights us, we must avoid the dangers of arrogance and not scorn those burdened by their own excesses. They cried to the Lord in their anguish, and He saved them from their troubles (Psalm 105:19). Discontent had become a malady; thus, He sent forth His Word and healed them (Psalm 106:20). Witness the corruption that arises from overindulgence; observe from where He rescues the one who despises their nourishment. He sent His Word and healed them, extracting them from decay. To despise good things is a sign of a tainted mind. Therefore, let all experience His goodness and proclaim the Lord’s mercies and wonders to mankind (Psalm 105:21). Offer the sacrifices of praise (Psalm 105:22). May they celebrate the Lord’s sweetness and recount His deeds with joy—without weariness, sorrow, anxiety, or disgust, but with heartfelt celebration.

Those who navigate the tumultuous waters in ships, carrying out their labor in stirring seas (Psalm 105:23)—this evokes the many nations. The association of waters with nations is affirmed in John’s Revelation when he asked about the waters and was told they represent the nations. Those who labor on these strong waters have witnessed God's deeds and wonders in the depths (Psalm 105:24). For what could be more profound than the hearts of men? This is where storms often arise; turbulent winds stir rebellion and discord. What happens within them? God desires that both rulers and those under them call upon Him; He spoke, and the winds ceased (Psalm 106:25). What does it mean that they ceased? It denotes a moment of stillness amidst chaos, where the tempest remains relentless—yet He spoke, and the winds were silenced. In fear, their souls felt desolate in their trials. They were so troubled that they staggered as if drunk (Psalm 105:27). Those guiding the ship and those who love it deeply witness the truth of this turmoil. When they speak, read, or interpret, they may seem wise. Alas, when the storm arises, all their wisdom is rendered ineffective. Sometimes human wisdom falters; no matter where one turns, the waves crash, tempests roar, and helplessness abounds—where the bow strikes, which waves might impact, where to navigate to avoid shipwreck, all become invisible to the helmsman. What must follow next? They cried to the Lord in desperation, and He rescued them from their turmoil (Psalm 105:28). He commanded the storm, and a great calm emerged (Psalm 105:29), as the waves settled. Hearken to the voice of the helmsman who faced adversity, overwhelmed yet later delivered. He would not have you remain uninformed, brethren, of our tribulations in Asia; we faced burdens beyond strength and measure, to the point of despair (2 Corinthians 1:8). They found joy upon finding tranquility, for He brought them to their desired haven (Psalm 105:30). Let the world proclaim the Lord’s mercies and miracles to mankind (Psalm 105:31). Everywhere, without exception, let it be acknowledged—our merits, strength, our wisdom mean nothing compared to His mercy. Let Him be loved through every act of rescue, called upon in every tribulation.

Let them extol Him among the assembly of the people and praise Him in the council of the elders (Psalm 106:32). Let nations and leaders sing His praises, those who trade and navigate the waters. What has He done within this assembly? What has He established? From what has He freed them? What blessings has He imparted? He resists the proud while favoring the humble (James 4:6). The proud, those haughty Jews exalting their lineage from Abraham, believed themselves to be favored due to their possession of God's revelations (Romans 3:2). This pride contributed nothing to their soundness but rather led to arrogance. Therefore, what did God do? He opposed the proud and bestowed grace upon the humble, cutting off the haughty branches of the vine, grafting in the lowly wild olive. He transformed seas into dry lands (Psalm 105:33). The waters that once flowed witnessed the fulfillment of prophecies. Seek for a prophet among the Jews—there is none. He has made the waters barren with thirst. They lament, "Now there are no prophets; He will not know us again." Even fruitful lands have become salt flats (Psalm 105:34). Seek faith in Christ there—none can be found; seek a prophet—none there; seek a sacrifice—none there; seek a temple—none there. Why? Because of the wickedness of the inhabitants. Observe His opposition to the proud! Hear how He extends grace to the meek. He transformed the wilderness into a pool of water and the dry ground into springs (Psalm 105:35). There, the hungry dwell (Psalm 105:36). It has been declared, "Thou art a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." For you seek sacrifice among the Jews, but find nothing corresponding to Aaron's line. The pursuit of it lies within the order of Melchizedek that is celebrated globally within the Church’s liturgy. From dawn to dusk, the Lord's name is exalted.

They sowed fields, planted vineyards, and harvested plentifully (Psalm 106:37). What delight springs from labor that seeks not for the gift alone, but for the fruit (Philippians 4:17). He blessed them immensely, and they multiplied, without diminishing their possessions (Psalm 105:38). This foundation stands strong, for the foundation of God remains secure, having the assurance that the Lord knows those who belong to Him (2 Timothy 2:19). The humble and pious, even if theologically simple, find favor in His sight. Thus, whether they are spiritual or worldly, He blesses them.

He transforms the desolate places into a body of water, symbolizing a people of Gentiles. The prophecy here converges, presenting the contrast between the two nations, addressing the rejection of one while ushering in the other.

The ancient wastelands—representing the Gentiles, who previously lacked even the slightest insight—are now overflowing with the waters of divine instruction, surpassing the mere necessity of receiving the flow of words.

He transformed the rivers into desolate areas and the springs of water into drought. He turned the fertile land into a place of glory that has become barren due to the wickedness of its inhabitants. He made the wilderness into lakes and the arid regions into streams. It is said that God created a desert void of wisdom from those wise Hellenes who once flowed like rivers with their eloquent speech but found their mouths obstructed by fishermen and apostles who lacked the scriptures. According to Isychius, God converted the verbal torrents of the Hellenes into dry ground and dust, akin to the multitude of the Jews that brought forth prophets but became desolate and fruitless, as explained by Athanasius, Cyril, and Isychius.

Pay attention to how closely the statements regarding the church align with the message of Isaiah. For he proclaimed, ‘I will open rivers on the mountains, and springs in the valleys; I will make the wilderness a lake, and the dry land a spring of water’ (Isaiah 41:18).

This transformation, when compared to the previous one, exemplifies the remarkable power of God even more clearly. If the fields had diminished in their previous productivity, people of the world might remark, as they once did in earlier times, that the earth, having exhausted its vigor through abundant yield, now rests like a woman after childbirth. However, what is the reason for dry and arid places to require new fertility? Is it not that God reveals the brilliance of His goodness in these instances? The Prophet rightly states: ‘He has turned the wilderness into a pool of water,’ meaning He has caused flourishing cities to emerge even in the most desolate locations, where previously there were no humble abodes.

The prophet exalts God Almighty with joyous triumph for His innumerable blessings bestowed upon the Jewish people, delivering them from all trials and tribulations through the outpouring of His great mercy, particularly to those who have faith in Christ the Lord. His desire is for all humanity to experience salvation and to embrace the truth, leading to the gift of eternal victory. The righteous dwell forever in God's mercy, having been redeemed by Christ the Savior from sin and death. People from across the globe unite in one faith in Christ, the true God, forming a single holy Church. The Body and Blood of Christ satisfy the desires of the faithful. In the shadows of idolatry, they have not perceived the illuminating presence of the true Christ the Lord. Spiritual poverty signifies a lack of God's grace, while bondage represents the harshness of sin. God's words consist of His commandments, and His guidance instructs against the worship of idols.