Psalm 107 (106):9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

An empty soul, in its true sense, refers to a soul, whether Gentile or Jewish, that lacks spiritual nourishment. "My food is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to do His work" (John 4:34). This act of fulfilling divine will is indeed nourishment, and it is the finest sustenance, which is why Christ declared, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matt. 5:6). Through His actions, Christ nourished the entire universe with this spiritual food.

This psalm extols the compassion of God that we have personally experienced, making it particularly resonant for those who have felt it deeply. It is indeed remarkable if anyone can find pleasure in the words of this psalm unless they have undergone similar trials themselves. Yet, it was not penned for just a few, but for the entire community of God’s people, serving as a reflection in which they may recognize their own condition. The title, which declares Hallelujah twice, speaks volumes. We have the tradition of singing this during significant times in our worship, imbuing specific days with sacred significance. While our practice includes singing Alleluia on particular occasions, our thoughts of it should persist daily. This term, which signifies the praise of God, should manifest in our hearts, for His praise endures within us. The repeated Hallelujah is not unique to this psalm; it appears similarly at the outset of others. From its context, we gather that it was spoken by the Israelites, and today it is echoed by the universal Church across the globe. The emphasis on Alleluia being mentioned twice may not be mere coincidence, as we, too, call out Abba, Father. Abba signifies our intimate relationship with the Father, reinforcing what the Apostle conveyed in Romans 8:15, where it is stated that we cry out in Him. It illustrates how one group approaches the Cornerstone, calling ‘Abba,’ while another calls ‘Father,’ all centered around Christ, our foundation.

Let those redeemed by the Lord declare His goodness, those liberated from the grasp of their adversaries, as stated in Psalm 105:2. Clearly, the Israelites were freed from Egypt—a land of slavery marked by painful toil and sinful acts. However, we must determine whether those proclaiming this are indeed the ones liberated by the Lord. They are not merely those from Egypt but instead encompass all whom He redeems. Let their identity as the redeemed be made clear, for this psalm is to be sung by them. He has gathered His people from various regions, perhaps from the lands of Egypt, given the many territories within even one land. He speaks of gathering them from the east, west, north, and the sea, according to Psalm 105:3. This signifies the redeemed from all corners of the earth. God’s people defy the vast expanse of Egypt, traversing through the Red Sea, as documented in Exodus 14:22, thereby concluding the reign of their enemies through the sacrament of Baptism, consecrated by the blood of Christ.

All these narratives were penned as examples for our instruction, as Paul notes in 1 Corinthians 10:11 that they were written for those upon whom the end times have come. The wandering in the wilderness is depicted in Psalm 105:4, where they found no path to a city, suffering from hunger and thirst, leading their souls to be distressed as stated in Psalm 106:5. The reason for their desolation is not because God is cruel, but because He shows Himself as good, prompting our weary hearts to call upon Him and receive His aid, thereby learning to love in return. Following their trials of wandering, hunger, and thirst, they cried out to the Lord in their suffering, and He rescued them from their anguish as mentioned in Psalm 105:6. He provided guidance on their journey; though they didn’t find a city to dwell in due to fatigue and lack of sustenance, He led them on a straight path toward habitation. His assistance to ease their hunger and thirst is unspoken, yet we anticipate the expression of His mercies and wonders in Psalm 105:8. To those seasoned in faith, extend your experiences to those still learning, for He fulfills the longing heart and satisfies the hungry soul with goodness, as captured in Psalm 105:9.

Those lost in shadows, overwhelmed by darkness and oppression from poverty, as shown in Psalm 105:10, may be suffering due to their self-reliance, lacking the grace of God. By rejecting God’s counsel, they bear their burdens as Psalm 105:11 reflects upon their rebellion against God’s word, not recognizing His righteousness while trying to establish their own, as mentioned in Romans 10:3. The hardships they faced in their toils, described in Psalm 105:12, led them away from the truth. When on our own we may seem capable against desires, lacking divine assistance can lead to defeat. In our struggles with sin, hearts can become weary, prompting the cry of desperation: “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” as noted in Romans 7:24. Upon rescue, one praises the mercy of the Lord. When trouble arises, they cried to the Lord, and He freed them from their distress in Psalm 105:13. This liberation addresses the second temptation, yet remains fraught with weariness. Reflect on His deeds of deliverance; He removed them from darkness and the shadow of death, breaking their chains as in Psalm 105:14. Let them proclaim His mercies and wondrous acts to others in Psalm 105:15. What were the challenges He overcame? He shattered the gates of bronze and severed the iron locks in Psalm 105:16. He guided them away from sinful paths, as their unrighteousness humbled them in Psalm 105:17 because, through their pride, they had sought their own glory without understanding God’s righteousness from Romans 10:3. They discovered their own limitations without divine help.

Emerging from their struggles, they loathed all food in Psalm 105:18. They suffered from excess rather than hunger, and the dangers of excess should not be underestimated. When it is said that “their soul abhorred all food,” it warns us against the perils of too much satisfaction leading to destruction. Even when the word of God brings delight, let us not succumb to arrogance; let us rather recognize our need for humility and not scorn those troubled by excess. In their troubles, they cried to the Lord, and He delivered them from distress in Psalm 105:19. In the context of discontent as sickness, He dispatched His Word to heal them (Psalm 106:20). Observe the dangers present in excess and see from where He rescues those who cry out in despair, resenting their fullness. The Lord sent His Word, bringing healing and pulling them from destruction. Detesting sweetness reflects a spiritual ailment. Therefore, in recognition of this gift, let them proclaim the Lord’s mercies and wonders to the children of men in Psalm 105:21, offering Him a sacrifice of praise in Psalm 105:22. His goodness is deserving of joyful proclamation, free from weariness, sorrow, anxiety, or disgust.

Those who navigate the seas on ships, engaging in labor amid tumultuous waters—represented metaphorically by the nations as the Book of Revelation indicates—have witnessed the works of God and His wonders in the deep according to Psalm 105:23. What depths are lower than the human heart? From these depths can arise storms of rebellion and conflict. God desires that both leaders and those under their command call upon Him. He spoke, and the winds ceased, stilling the storm as found in Psalm 106:25. And when He calms the storm, can they ascend joyfully or descend in despair as described in Psalm 105:26? Their souls were disquieted in distress, destabilized as if drunk, as expressed in Psalm 105:27. Those in charge, alongside those loyal to their vessels, know what I mean. Wise discussion or scriptural interpretation can appear strong, yet worst storms can consume all human wisdom, leading to frustration when hope evaporates while navigating tempestuous seas. When confusion reigns, and the ship is threatened, the crew may plead in desperation. They called upon the Lord amid their trials, and He liberated them from their calamities in Psalm 105:28. He commanded the tempest, and tranquility was restored (Psalms 105:29). Listen to the voices of those rescued from peril. Paul reminds us not to overlook our struggles, as he describes in 2 Corinthians 1:8 the overwhelming despair faced in Asia, where they were burdened beyond their strength. In the end, they rejoiced as calm returned, and they entered the haven of their desires in Psalm 105:30. Let His mercies and miraculous acts towards humanity be proclaimed in Psalm 105:31. In every circumstance, let us celebrate not our achievements or might, but the Lord’s compassion. We must cherish His assistance in our deliverance and call upon Him in times of need.

Let them exalt Him in the gathering of His people, praising Him in the assembly of the elders in Psalm 106:32. Nations and leaders alike should honor Him, considering the accomplishments and establishments He brought forth. He has resisted the proud and graced the humble, as noted in James 4:6. The proud refers to Judah’s lofty lineage, elevated by descent from Abraham, to whom divine revelations were entrusted in Romans 3:2. Yet such privileges engendered pride and not true wisdom. What did God do in response to the proud? He cut off the natural branches due to their arrogance while grafting in those humble from the wild olive. He turned flourishing rivers into wastelands in Psalm 105:33. Even while there, the waters flowed without refreshing; regard the current absence of prophecy among the Jews. The thirst remained unquenched. They lament that no prophet remains and feel abandoned by God. Thorny salt marshes represent a spiritual drought (Psalm 105:34). Look for faith in Christ there, and it is absent. Seek a prophet, and none appears. Search for sacrifice, and it is missing. This desolation arises from wickedness dwelling among them. Observe how He opposes the proud and favors the humble, turning desolate waste into pools of life as stated in Psalm 105:35. The hungry now dwell there (Psalm 105:36), as it has been said to Him, "Thou art a Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek." Seekers of sacrifice among the Jews will find none in the order of Aaron. If they look to the order of Melchizedek, they will not find it there but rather celebrated throughout the world. The name of the Lord receives praise from sunrise to sunset.

They cultivated fields, planted vineyards, and reaped abundant harvests as noted in Psalm 106:37. Here the laborer rejoices, not for the gain itself but for the fruit it yields, as remarked in Philippians 4:17. He has blessed them, and they have greatly multiplied, and their herds increased, reaffirming the assurance that God's foundation remains secure, standing firm as stated in 2 Timothy 2:19. The mention of domestic animals may symbolize those who occupy the Church casually, although they are of lowly understanding yet rich in faith. Whether one is spiritually or carnally inclined, He extends His blessings to all.

However, they became fewer and experienced distress, as described in Psalm 105:39. This reduction arises not from external enemies but from within as they withdrew from fellowship, revealing they may not have been truly one with the faithful. Some departed without ever belonging, as stated in 1 John 2:19. Thus, in this collective narrative, the wise must discern the distinction among them: they share external ordinances but diverge in essence. Many belong to God’s people in outward appearances of godliness, though lacking virtue. As noted by the Apostle in 2 Timothy 3:2, perilous times emerge as individuals revel in self-love. The root of self-love proves destructive, as true satisfaction lies in pleasing God. If they sought God rather than themselves, when adversity arose, they would cry out and receive deliverance. Even if they were prideful, they inevitably diminished. It is clear, beloved: all who stray from unity become fewer. While they may appear numerous, true union fosters strength. Once the collective unity is fractured through heresy and division, they dwindle. Their distress was compounded by scorn (Psalm 105:40), as they were rejected from God’s Church. Those who sought prominence found only degradation, becoming like salt that has lost its flavor, cast aside to be trampled underfoot, as stated in Matthew 5:13.

Let them proclaim His mercies to the Lord, for I have nourished the spirit of the afflicted. Whose spirit is this? Is it not that of those described as 'thirsting and thirsting, their soul is within them diminished'? And the soul of the hungry is satisfied with good things (Psalm 106:5), referring to spiritual sustenance.

We must reflect on the significance of this psalm repeating the call to “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His steadfast love and His wonderful works to the children of man. For He has satisfied the longing soul” (Psalm 106:8-9). It then states, “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His steadfast love and His wonderful works to the children of man, for He has crushed the gates of bronze” (Psalm 106:15-16). Furthermore, the same idea is reiterated (Psalm 106:21); those who read carefully will discover this truth. In fact, some suggest that it appears four times so that the gifts of the Trinity may be united in the Gospel accounts.

He liberated the Jewish people, who were trapped in oppression and despair, and suffering from hunger, from the evils that surrounded them; He nurtured all of humanity with Divine teachings and, having rescued it from the darkness of ignorance, filled it with the light of divine understanding. He removed the shadow of death that enveloped them, offering the promise of resurrection, and released them from the strong chains of sin. For it is written: the wicked are ensnared by their own transgressions (Proverbs 5:22); and: Woe to those who increase their sins, like a heavy burden, fastening them with the ropes of their wrongdoing (Isaiah 5:18).

According to Eusebius, the prophets called out to God on behalf of the nations, as did the angels assigned to protect each nation. In response, God listened to them and rescued the Christians from the harsh dominion of evil spirits, leading them along the straight path towards eternal life. The Gentiles, lost in their errors, struggled to discover this path. However, the Lord took on human form, teaching them the truth and directing them towards the heavenly city. Thus, Gentile Christians should express gratitude and share the miraculous acts they have witnessed with those who are unaware. This is important because He has nourished weary and hungry souls with the divine sustenance of the gospel and the life-giving waters of spiritual blessings and sacraments.

The verbs in the past tense indicate continuous action, as described by linguists, and illustrate how those journeying through desolate places, unable to find shelter, often grow weary and parched, losing hope and calling out to the Lord, who guides them towards safety. Therefore, let them testify to the Lord's mercies and His wonders among humanity. Justice demands that such gracious acts, carried out with compassion, should not be left unspoken but should be shared openly with gratitude, as they are remarkable signs of His power. When those who have experienced deliverance choose to remain silent, their ingratitude conceals God’s wonders much like someone might obscure sunlight by walking upon it.

The prophet extols God Almighty with joyful praise for His innumerable blessings showered upon the Jewish people, rescuing them from all forms of hardship and distress through His boundless mercy. This is especially true for those who place their faith in Christ the Lord, who desires that all souls be saved and come to acknowledge the truth, leading to everlasting victory. The just dwell eternally within the grace of God, having been redeemed by Christ the Savior from sin and death. From every corner of the globe, believers unite in one faith in Christ, the true God, forming a single holy Church. The Body and Blood of Christ satisfy the spiritual hunger of the faithful. In the shadows of demonic idolatry, they have been unable to perceive the light of the true Christ the Lord. To be poor signifies a lack of God's grace, while spiritual bonds represent the harshness of sin. God's words serve as His commandments, and His call is to refrain from bowing down to idols.