Psa 107:3-9 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 3. And gathered them out of the lands ] Though many Jews returned into Jerusalem from various parts of the world, under the reigns of Darius Hystaspes, Artaxerxes , and Alexander the Great ; yet this prophecy has its completion only under the Gospel, when all the ends of the earth hear the salvation of God.

‏ Psalms 107:3-9

Verse 3. And gathered them out of the lands] Though many Jews returned into Jerusalem from various parts of the world, under the reigns of Darius Hystaspes, Artaxerxes, and Alexander the Great; yet this prophecy has its completion only under the Gospel, when all the ends of the earth hear the salvation of God.

Verse 4. They wandered in the wilderness] Here begins the FINEST comparison: the Israelites in captivity are compared to a traveller in a dreary, uninhabited, and barren desert, spent with hunger and thirst, as well as by the fatigues of the journey, Ps 107:5.

Verse 6. Then they cried unto the Lord] When the Israelites began to pray heartily, and the eyes of all the tribes were as the eyes of one man turned unto the Lord, then he delivered them out of their distresses.

Verse 7. That they might go to a city of habitation.] God stirred up the heart of Cyrus to give them liberty to return to their own land: and Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, at different times, brought many of them back to Judea.

Verse 8. O that men would praise the Lord] This is what is called the intercalary verse, or burden of each part of this responsive song: see the introduction. God should be praised because he is good. We naturally speak highly of those who are eminent. God is infinitely excellent, and should be celebrated for his perfections. But he does wonders for the children of men; and, therefore, men should praise the Lord. And he is the more to be praised, because these wonders, niphlaoth, miracles of mercy and grace, are done for the undeserving. They are done libney Adam, for the children of Adam, the corrupt descendants of a rebel father.

Verse 9. For he satisfieth the longing soul] This is the reason which the psalmist gives for the duty of thankfulness which he prescribes. The longing soul, nephesh shokekah, the soul that pushes forward in eager desire after salvation.