Psalm 107 (106):39Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This psalm extols the compassionate nature of God, an understanding deepened by personal experience, making it all the more precious to those who have lived through trials. It is questionable if anyone can truly appreciate the messages within this psalm without having been enlightened by personal trials. Yet, this psalm is not intended for just a few but for all of God's people, allowing them to recognize their own selves as if looking into a mirror. The title of the psalm is clear: it is one of praise and worship—Hallelujah. It has long been our tradition to sing it during certain liturgical occasions, rich in sacred significance. While we sing Alleluia on particular days, we ought to carry its meaning in our hearts daily. For if this word signifies God's praise, it must resonate in our hearts as well as on our lips. The repetition of Hallelujah in this title is not unique to it but also appears in others, and this text is characterized by the collective voice of Israel and the universal Church of God across the globe. There may be significance in the doubling of Alleluia, much like our cry of Abba, Father, since Abba equals Father. The Apostle has noted that through the Spirit we call out Abba, Father (Romans 8:15), where one wall addresses the Cornerstone by calling Him ‘Abba’ and the other ‘Father,’ joined as one in Him who is our Foundation.

Let us acknowledge to the Lord that He is delightful as we dwell in His mercy (Psalm 105:1). Declare His sweetness if you have experienced it; those who have not tasted cannot make such a proclamation. But if you have known how delightful the Lord is (1 Peter 2:3), then confess this truth before Him. If you have savored His goodness, share your testimony of His unending mercy. The word rendered ‘and’ here, similar to other scriptural instances, is understood as ‘forever’; His mercy is eternal, designed that humanity may enjoy everlasting companionship with angels.

Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim His goodness, those liberated from their foes (Psalm 105:2). The Israelites were indeed released from Egypt, freed from bondage, toil, and sin, but it’s crucial to discern whether these praises arise from those truly saved by God. The reference here encompasses all whom He has redeemed. Let this declaration clarify their identity: He gathered them from various lands, perhaps even from the provinces within Egypt itself—a diverse gathering from east, west, north, and sea (Psalm 105:3). Thus, we comprehend the concept of redemption from the vastness of spiritual Egypt, led through the waters, like the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:22), that in Baptism they might overcome their enemies. This sacrament of Baptism, sanctified by the blood of Christ, washes away the sins of those who pursue them.

All this transpired as a foreshadowing, recorded for our instruction, for whom the culmination of the ages has arrived (1 Corinthians 10:11). They traversed through the desert, longing for a dwelling place (Psalm 105:4). We’ve heard of their wretched wandering and deprivation: hungry and thirsty, their souls became burdened within them (Psalm 106:5). Why did they succumb to despair? Because God is not unkind; rather, He reveals Himself through what is good, inviting the weary to seek Him so that His help may evoke love. Thus, as they struggled with these hardships—hunger, thirst, and wandering—they cried out to the Lord in their distress, and He delivered them (Psalm 105:6). What did He do for them in their wandering? He guided them along a straight path (Psalm 106:7). Despite their lack of direction, weary from trial, He led them toward their desired city. Details about how He alleviated their hunger and thirst are not specified, but recognize that all men should recount His mercies and wonders (Psalm 105:8), urging those who have yet to experience His grace to consider their journey. For He satisfies the hungry soul abundantly and fills the empty hearts with good things (Psalm 105:9).

They who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, trapped by poverty and iron (Psalm 105:10), often find this arises from their own pride, lacking grace, and rejecting divine counsel (Luke 7:30). They rebelled against the words of the Lord, unaware of His righteousness and striving to establish their own (Romans 10:3), thus hardening their hearts against the Most High. Their souls despaired under toil (Psalm 105:12). This highlights the struggle against sinful desires; when God's help is absent, one may resist, yet true victory eludes. When ensnared by iniquity, their spirits were crushed with affliction, leading them to cry out, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24). Upon deliverance, they praise the mercies of the Lord. They cried to Him amid their troubles, and He saved them from their afflictions (Psalm 105:13). Though trials persist, remember what He accomplished during their deliverance. He freed them from darkness and the shadow of death, breaking their chains (Psalm 105:14). Let them offer thanks to the Lord for His mercies and wonders (Psalm 105:15). What obstacles did He conquer? He shattered the gates of bronze and the bars of iron (Psalm 105:16). He led them away from their wicked paths; humbled for their transgressions (Psalm 105:17). They who relied on their own righteousness were brought low, recognizing their helplessness without His aid.

They grew weary due to their disdain for all sustenance (Psalm 105:18). They were worn out by over-indulgence, facing peril not just from scarcity but from their own excess. When it is said that their souls detested all food, consider this an acknowledgment of their own corruption. Hence, act wisely; do not let your heart be corrupted by hunger or the allure of gratification. In response to their suffering, they cried out to the Lord, and He delivered them from their troubles (Psalm 105:19). Recognizing that discontent is a disease, He sent His Word and healed them (Psalm 106:20). Reflect on the dangers of excess; His deliverance comes to those who cry out in despair. He sent His Word and rescued them, liberating them from decay—not merely from wandering or physical want but from spiritual degradation. To detest good things signifies an impurity of mind. Therefore, let praises for His mercies and wonders be rendered (Psalm 105:21), offering sacrifices of gratitude (Psalm 105:22). They are called to testify joyfully, not in weariness or frustration but with hearts filled with jubilation.

Those who venture upon the seas in ships, engaging in their labors upon turbulent waters (Psalm 105:23)—here the metaphor of waters representing nations is established, as seen in Revelation when identified as the nations. Thus, those who navigate the great waters have witnessed the Lord’s deeds and wonders (Psalm 105:24), acknowledging that within the depths of humanity lies tumult often stirred by chaos. What unfolds? God, desiring that both rulers and subjects alike call upon Him, spoke, and the tempest stilled (Psalm 106:25). The winds, once raging, became calm at His command, allowing men to ascend with fear and descend into the depths (Psalm 105:26). Those at the helm and seamen know well the weight of these words. Indeed, at times their wisdom is consumed by the tempest, rendering them powerless. Human counsel often fails; in raging seas, they seek refuge, yet find none. What recourse remains? They cried out to the Lord in their distress, and He rescued them from their calamities (Psalm 105:28). He commanded the storm, leading to serene skies (Psalm 105:29) and the waves fell still. Listen to the voice of those once in peril who have now been saved. “I want you to understand, brothers, the hardships we faced in Asia, pressed beyond measure and strength” (2 Corinthians 1:8). They rejoiced because they were delivered and brought to the harbor they desired (Psalm 105:30). Let His mercies and miracles be acknowledged (Psalm 105:31). In every circumstance, let us ascribe all glory, not to our own efforts but to His mercies. He is to be cherished in every act of deliverance and called upon in all tribulations.

Let them exalt Him amidst the gathering of the faithful and praise Him at the seat of the elders (Psalm 106:32). Let praises ring out among nations, among leaders and merchants alike. For what has He accomplished within this gathering? What has He established? From what has He rescued it? What blessings has He bestowed? He brought low the proud, granting grace to the humble (James 4:6). The arrogant, starting with the nation of Judah, swelled with pride from their lineage, being entrusted with God’s oracles (Romans 3:2). This gift, instead of grounding them in humility, fostered a sense of superiority that led to their downfall. God, opposed to the proud, extended grace to the humble by severing natural branches due to pride while welcoming the wild olive shoot for its humility. He transformed fertile rivers into wilderness (Psalm 105:33). In the midst of this drought, where no prophet is found among the Jews, God has led the waters to run dry due to their spiritual thirst. Today, there are no prophets, no sacrifice, nor temple in sight—the absence is due to the unrighteousness that dwells there. Observe how He opposes the proud and extends grace to the lowly. He transforms barren land into pools of water (Psalm 105:35), and the hungry shall dwell therein (Psalm 105:36).

He is a Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek. Seeking offerings among the Jews yields nothing according to the Levitical order; yet in Melchizedek's order, the Church throughout the world celebrates this priesthood from dawn till dusk in honoring His name. They cultivated the fields, planting vineyards, yielding the fruits of their labor (Psalm 106:37). The laborer rejoices not merely for the gifts he receives but for the fruits of his labor (Philippians 4:17). They were abundantly blessed, their livestock flourished (Psalm 105:38—all stands firm as the foundation of God remains steadfast, for He knows His own (2 Timothy 2:19).

Though His flock may be small, it grows in faith and presence. Here, we see that calamity often arises not from outer forces but from within. Though they left unity, they did not truly belong (1 John 2:19). The warning serves to discern between those within the fold and false brethren; all are called to embody the essence of His people, not just the appearance of godliness. The Apostle forewarns that in the last days, perilous times will come, marked by self-love (2 Timothy 3:2). The fundamental vice is selfishness, which prevents the acknowledgment of God and leads to reluctance in seeking His help in trouble. Despite their haughtiness, they diminished in number and faced scorn (Psalm 105:40). They were cast out of God’s household for their rebellion. Ultimately, they sought notable status but ended up disgraced, like salt lost its flavor and cast aside (Matthew 5:13).

He guided them into uncharted territory, away from the path meant for the faithful, forsaking the way to the city. He led them astray, allowing them to follow their desires (Romans 1:24), entrusting them to their own folly. The realization is clear: they lead themselves astray. Yet God extended compassion to the afflicted (Psalm 105:41). The lofty were rejected, but He provided for the needy. The humble receive His favor, as He tended to each poor soul, indeed making the humble equivalent to a flock, expanding as many nations unite in His Church. Such are the great mysteries of unity and belonging, deeply embedded with truth and significance, awaiting discovery. Therefore, the righteous shall witness these things and rejoice; the mouths of the wicked shall be silenced (Psalm 106:42). Wickedness that contests unity will face condemnation, revealing truths long obscured.

This implies that those who once dwelled in desolation and dryness experienced immense blessings and fullness upon their faith. In contrast, those who previously thrived from the refreshing streams of prophecy lost that life-giving water due to the deceit within their hearts, leaving them completely void and unfruitful. As a result, they faced numerous trials and became dispersed throughout the earth, leading to a situation where few reside in their once-thriving center.

David, after initially foretelling the growth and success of Christ’s church, also foretells the trials and tribulations that Isychius indicated would befall it. He observes that Christians have become diminished, as countless individuals have been martyred by persecutors through various afflictions and agonies for the sake of Christ’s name. They have endured grief, temptations, and ailments inflicted by those who seized their possessions, harassed them, scourged them, and imposed upon them countless adversities. According to Theodoret, Athanasius, and Eusebius, these events pertain to the Jewish people, signifying that the vast majority of the Jewish community faced such a depletion of resources that few among them were, by God's grace, prosperous. Meanwhile, their leaders, specifically the scribes and Pharisees, found themselves cloaked in shame and brought low. Those who were once esteemed and revered have now descended into utter disgrace.

As the prophet has previously recounted certain transformations occurring on the earth, he now conveys similar transformations within humanity. Through affliction, grief, adversaries, conflict, terminal disease, or various other misfortunes, lives are cut short, resulting in a diminishing population. What accounts for this, if not the withdrawal of God's grace—a grace that once served as the foundation of their prosperity? Notably, these instances are more pronounced among the powerful than the humble and ordinary, prompting the prophet to highlight the shame of princes, whose elevated status remains recognizable despite any noteworthy fall from grace. When God humbles them from their lofty positions, it compels others to reflect on His purposes with awe.

The prophet exalts God Almighty in joyous triumph for His innumerable blessings, which He has generously bestowed upon the Jewish people, liberating them from every hardship through His abundant mercy. This is especially true for those who place their faith in Christ the Lord, who desires that all humanity be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, embracing the promise of everlasting victory. The righteous enjoy eternal life through God's mercy, having been rescued by Christ the Savior from sin and death. Individuals from all nations unite in a singular faith in the true God, forming one holy Church. The Body and Blood of Christ satisfy the spiritual hunger of the faithful.