107:1 O give thanks unto a the LORD, for [he is] good: for his
mercy [endureth] for ever.
(a) This notable sentence was in the beginning used as the
foot or tenor of the song, which was often repeated.
107:2 Let the b redeemed of the LORD say [so], whom he hath
redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
(b) As was true in the Jews, so there is not one of God's
elect who does not feel his help in their necessity.
107:5c Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
(c) He shows that there is no affliction so grievous out
of which God will not deliver us, and also exhorts
them who are delivered to be mindful of so great a
benefit.
107:11 Because they d rebelled against the words of God, and
contemned the counsel of the most High:
(d) Then the true way to obey God is to follow his
express commandment: also by this all are exhorted to
descend into themselves as none are punished but for
their sins.
107:13 Then they e cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and]
he saved them out of their distresses.
(e) He shows that the reason God punishes us extremely is
because we can be brought to him by no other means.
107:16 For he hath broken the f gates of brass, and cut the
bars of iron in sunder.
(f) When there seems to man's judgment no recovery, but
all things are brought to despair, then God chiefly
shows his mighty power.
107:17g Fools because of their transgression, and because of
their iniquities, are afflicted.
(g) They who have no fear of God, by his sharp rods are
brought to call on him, and so find mercy.
107:20h He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered
[them] from their i destructions.
(h) By healing them he declares his good will toward
them.
(i) Meaning their diseases, which had almost brought them
to the grave and corruption.
107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of k
thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
(k) Praise and confession of God's benefits are the true
sacrifices of the godly.
107:23 They that go down to the l sea in ships, that do
business in great waters;
(l) He shows by the sea what care God has over man, for
when he delivers them from the great danger of the
sea, he delivers them as it were from a thousand
deaths.
107:26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the
depths: their soul is m melted because of trouble.
(m) Their fear and danger is so great.
107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and
n are at their wits' end.
(n) When their art and means fail them, they are
compelled to confess that only God's providence
preserves them.
107:30 Then are they glad because they be o quiet; so he
bringeth them unto their desired haven.
(o) Though before every drop seemed to fight one against
the other, yet at his command they are as still as if
they were frozen.
107:32 Let them exalt him also in the p congregation of the
people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
(p) This great benefit should not only be considered
particularly, but magnified in all places and
assemblies.
107:35 He q turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and
dry ground into watersprings.
(q) For the love that he bears to his Church, he changes
the order of nature for their convenience.
107:37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield
fruits of r increase.
(r) Continual increase and yearly.
107:39s Again, they are minished and brought low through
oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
(s) As God by his providence exalts man, so he also
humbles them by afflictions to know themselves.
107:40 He poureth t contempt upon princes, and causeth them to
wander in the wilderness, [where there is] no way.
(t) For their wickedness and tyranny he causes the people
and subjects to contemn them.
107:42 The u righteous shall see [it], and rejoice: and all
iniquity shall stop her mouth.
(u) They whose faith is lightened by God's spirit, will
rejoice to see God's judgments against the wicked and
ungodly.
