Psalm 107 11

Psalm 107:11 kjv

Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:

Psalm 107:11 nkjv

Because they rebelled against the words of God, And despised the counsel of the Most High,

Psalm 107:11 niv

because they rebelled against God's commands and despised the plans of the Most High.

Psalm 107:11 esv

for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.

Psalm 107:11 nlt

They rebelled against the words of God,
scorning the counsel of the Most High.

Psalm 107 verses

Psalm 107 11 Meaning

Psalm 107:11 explains why some individuals described in the surrounding context found themselves in severe distress, specifically those "in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons" (v. 10). Their dire state was a direct consequence of their active defiance against God's divine decrees and their contemptuous rejection of His wise, authoritative counsel. It highlights a cause-and-effect relationship where suffering stems from a deliberate opposition to divine truth and guidance.

Psalm 107 11 Context

Psalm 107 is a profound psalm of thanksgiving, celebrating God's steadfast love (Hebrew: hesed) and faithfulness in delivering His people from various troubles. The psalm structured around four typical groups of people in distress: wanderers in the wilderness (vv. 4-9), prisoners in affliction (vv. 10-16), the sick afflicted by sin (vv. 17-22), and sailors caught in storms (vv. 23-32). In each section, the pattern is: people in trouble due to their own folly or circumstances, they cry out to the Lord, and He delivers them, followed by an exhortation to praise.

Verse 11 specifically provides the rationale for the distress of the second group mentioned in verse 10—those confined "in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons." This verse points directly to the spiritual and moral rebellion that underlies their physical and societal plight. It sets a theological foundation that human suffering, though not exclusively, is often linked to active disobedience and a disdain for divine wisdom, particularly within a covenant context where God's commands were clear.

Historically, this resonates with Israel's experience of exile and captivity, often viewed as a divine consequence for widespread disobedience and idolatry. The psalm thus offers comfort by highlighting God's power to rescue, while simultaneously impressing the importance of obedience and reverence for His word.

Psalm 107 11 Word Analysis

• Because they rebelled (כִּי־מָרוּ - ki maru):

  • כי (ki): "because," "for," indicating a reason or cause.
  • מָרוּ (maru): From the root מָרָה (marah), meaning "to be rebellious," "to be contentious," "to defy," "to be refractory." It signifies an active, willful defiance against authority, rather than mere accidental error or passive ignorance. In other contexts, marah is associated with bitterness (Exo 15:23). Here, it suggests an internal bitterness or stubbornness that leads to outward defiance. This word frequently describes Israel's rebellion against God in the wilderness (e.g., Num 20:24; Deut 9:7).
    • Significance: It highlights the intentional and obstinate nature of their sin, suggesting a deliberate rejection of God's established order and sovereignty.

• against the words of God (בְּאִמְרֵי־אֵל - b'imrei-El):

  • בְּ (b): "against," "in," indicating the object of their rebellion.
  • אִמְרֵי (imrei): Plural of אֵמֶר (emer), meaning "utterance," "word," "saying," "speech," "decree," "promise." These are not merely suggestions but authoritative divine pronouncements, revelations, and commandments.
  • אֵל (El): A generic, fundamental name for God, emphasizing His power, strength, and deity. It denotes the one true and mighty God.
    • Significance: The object of their rebellion is not human law or tradition, but the direct, powerful, and authoritative communication from the Almighty Creator. It implies a direct affront to divine authority itself.

• and spurned (וְאֶת־עֲצַת עֶלְיוֹן נִאֲצוּ - v'et atzat Elyon nia'atsu):

  • וְאֶת (v'et): "and," "and with respect to."
  • נִאֲצוּ (nia'atsu): From the root נָאַץ (na'ats), meaning "to treat with contempt," "to despise," "to scorn," "to revile," "to loathe," "to reject." This is a strong verb indicating a deliberate and active rejection characterized by disrespect and disdain. It's more intense than just "not listening"; it's a profound, insolent disregard.
    • Significance: This term conveys an active contempt, implying a proud heart that looks down on God's wisdom, considering it inferior or irrelevant.

• the counsel of the Most High (עֲצַת עֶלְיוֹן - atzat Elyon):

  • עֲצַת (atzat): From עֵצָה (etzah), meaning "counsel," "advice," "plan," "purpose," "wisdom," "scheme." It refers to God's wise and purposeful direction, His divine guidance for human flourishing, or His ultimate sovereign plan.
  • עֶלְיוֹן (Elyon): "Most High," an ancient divine title emphasizing God's supreme elevation, sovereignty, and incomparable nature. He is exalted above all other powers and beings.
    • Significance: Rejection of God's atzat is a rejection of ultimate wisdom. Coupling it with Elyon underscores that this counsel comes from the absolute highest authority, making the "spurning" an act of extreme audacity against cosmic sovereignty.

• Word Group Analysis:

  • "rebelled against the words of God" and "spurned the counsel of the Most High": This employs synonymous or synthetic parallelism, a common poetic feature in Psalms. Both clauses convey the same core message (deliberate rejection of God's directives), but with a slight intensification or different nuance. "Rebelled" suggests disobedience, while "spurned" points to a deeper attitude of contempt and disdain. "Words of God" (אֵל - El) emphasize His authority and power, whereas "counsel of the Most High" (עֶלְיוֹן - Elyon) highlights His supreme wisdom and sovereignty. Together, they paint a comprehensive picture of intentional, defiant disregard for divine revelation in its fullness.

Psalm 107 11 Bonus section

The suffering mentioned in Psalm 107, especially for those in verse 10 whose state is explained by verse 11, can be seen as corrective. While human suffering is multifaceted, here it's clearly presented as a direct consequence designed to lead individuals back to God. Their chains and darkness are not arbitrary; they are the natural outworking of a refusal to live according to God's divine principles. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that God sometimes allows discomfort or discipline (Heb 12:6-11) as a loving Father, to prompt repentance and reliance on Him. The journey described in the psalm, from rebellion to distress, then to crying out, and finally to deliverance, mirrors the covenant pattern often seen in Israel's history with God, underscoring that His ultimate desire is restoration, not just retribution.

Psalm 107 11 Commentary

Psalm 107:11 lays bare the root cause of much human suffering: not merely accidental misfortune, but a deliberate and active rejection of divine authority and wisdom. The verse reveals a profound rebellion, one that isn't just ignoring God's word but actively despising it and holding His perfect counsel in contempt. It's a statement about humanity's tendency toward self-sufficiency and pride, where one chooses their own understanding over the infinitely wise instruction of the Creator.

The suffering described (imprisonment, darkness, chains) is depicted as a natural, even divine, consequence of such spiritual defiance. God, being just, allows humanity to experience the logical outcomes of rejecting His design for flourishing. However, the Psalm is not solely about judgment. By first exposing the sin (v. 11), it then paves the way for the display of God's abundant hesed (steadfast love), as those who finally "cried to the Lord in their trouble" (v. 13) were delivered. Thus, this verse serves as a crucial theological anchor, grounding human distress in a moral reality and providing the necessary backdrop for God's redemptive intervention. It implies that true deliverance begins with an honest acknowledgment of our rebellion and a return to valuing God's Word and counsel above our own.

For instance, ignoring the biblical counsel regarding pride and humility (e.g., Prov 16:18, Jam 4:6) can lead to broken relationships or downfall. Rejecting God's counsel on stewardship of resources (e.g., Prov 21:20, Mal 3:10) can lead to financial distress. Fundamentally, despising the saving truth of Jesus Christ (Jn 3:19) can lead to spiritual death. In each case, the suffering is directly linked to spurning God's loving and wise counsel.