Psalm 107 12

Psalm 107:12 kjv

Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.

Psalm 107:12 nkjv

Therefore He brought down their heart with labor; They fell down, and there was none to help.

Psalm 107:12 niv

So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help.

Psalm 107:12 esv

So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.

Psalm 107:12 nlt

That is why he broke them with hard labor;
they fell, and no one was there to help them.

Psalm 107 verses

Psalm 107 12 Meaning

Psalm 107:12 describes God's deliberate action of humbling individuals through severe hardship and suffering, as a direct consequence of their prior rebellion and rejection of divine counsel. This results in their utter physical and spiritual collapse, leaving them without any external assistance or means of self-rescue.

Psalm 107 12 Context

Psalm 107 is a wisdom psalm structured around four types of people in distress, each having brought suffering upon themselves through rebellion or foolishness, then crying out to the Lord, and being miraculously delivered. It emphasizes God's steadfast love (hesed) and faithfulness as their deliverer. Verse 12 belongs to the second of these groups (vv. 10-16), described as those "who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons" (v. 10). Their plight is explicitly stated to be "because they had rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High" (v. 11). Thus, verse 12 describes the direct, divinely ordained consequence of their stubborn defiance, creating an inescapable and utterly desperate situation that would drive them to eventually cry out to God for help (v. 13). It highlights a theological pattern: human rebellion leads to divine judgment, resulting in deep suffering and helplessness, which in turn leads to repentance and God's gracious deliverance.

Psalm 107 12 Word analysis

• Therefore (עַל־כֵּן - 'al-ken): This word signals a consequence or direct result. It explicitly links the severe condition described in verse 12 to the rebellion and despising of God's counsel detailed in verse 11. It underlines the justice in God's action.

• he brought down (וַיַּכְנַע - vayyakhna): From the Hebrew root כנע (kana'), meaning to humble, subdue, subjugate, bring low, suppress, or abase. This verb is causative and active, directly attributing the action of humbling to God. It implies an intentional and forceful act to break down the pride or stubbornness of the individuals.

• their heart (לִבָּם - libbam): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" (לב - lev) encompasses the entire inner person: the will, intellect, emotions, conscience, courage, and core being. "Bringing down their heart" means crushing their spirit, breaking their proud and rebellious will, depriving them of their inner strength, confidence, and determination. It implies profound emotional and psychological distress, not just physical affliction.

• with labor (בַּעֲמָל - ba'amal): From the root עמל ('amal), signifying toil, grievous trouble, painful exertion, misery, distress, or weariness. This "labor" is not productive work but oppressive suffering and hardship that drains energy and hope. It is the means or instrument God uses to bring about the humbling of their spirit, leading to their weariness and exhaustion.

• they fell down (כָּשְׁלוּ - kashlu): From the root כשׁל (kashal), meaning to stumble, totter, falter, or collapse. This word suggests a complete loss of footing, a breakdown, both physically and figuratively. It signifies total defeat and a state of prostration, where they can no longer stand or exert any strength. It is a visual image of profound weakness and helplessness.

• and there was none to help (וְאֵין עֹזֵר - ve'eyn 'ozer): Literally, "and there is no helper." This phrase emphasizes their absolute desolation, isolation, and lack of human or self-reliance. It signifies that all conventional sources of aid or comfort have vanished, leaving them in an utterly desperate state from which they cannot extricate themselves. This intensifies the severity of their condition and sets the stage for God being their only recourse.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Therefore he brought down their heart with labor": This phrase encapsulates the divine cause and the painful means. God actively and intentionally causes the internal humiliation of their entire being by subjecting them to burdensome and crushing affliction. It speaks to a profound breaking of their spirit, their proud independence, and their self-will, using the weight of suffering as His instrument.
  • "they fell down, and there was none to help": This second clause describes the ultimate consequence: total collapse and complete abandonment or inability to receive human aid. It highlights their profound physical and spiritual weakness and the complete lack of external support, creating a situation of utter desperation. This serves to strip away all false securities, preparing them to turn only to the ultimate Helper.

Psalm 107 12 Bonus section

• The profound suffering described in this verse is not purposeless but is God's design to move hardened hearts towards repentance and reliance upon Him. It is an act of severe love and discipline.
• The progression from rebellion (v. 11) to extreme distress and helplessness (v. 12) to crying out to God (v. 13) highlights a foundational principle of redemptive history and personal spiritual experience.
• The absence of "none to help" underscores the divine control over their situation; no human intervention can alter a plight specifically brought about by God's judgment. This makes the eventual divine intervention even more striking.

Psalm 107 12 Commentary

Psalm 107:12 vividly portrays the consequence of rebellion against divine authority, building on the specific cause mentioned in the previous verse. God, in His just and sovereign wisdom, acts to "bring down their heart" through severe "labor" or hardship. This isn't mere physical discomfort, but a deep spiritual and psychological crushing. The "heart" represents their very core—their will, their pride, their ability to cope. Through these oppressive circumstances, their defiant spirit is broken. The result is that "they fell down," indicating a complete physical and moral collapse, an inability to stand or progress. Crucially, the verse states "and there was none to help." This absence of any human or created rescuer intensifies their despair, emphasizing their total vulnerability and inescapable predicament. This state of absolute helplessness serves a divine purpose: it systematically strips away all avenues of self-reliance and other potential saviors, forcing the afflicted to recognize their complete dependence on God. It creates the critical juncture where their only remaining option is to cry out to the Lord, setting the stage for their deliverance in the subsequent verses. This passage reflects a divine pattern: persistent rebellion meets disciplinary judgment, which, though painful, is ultimately aimed at humbling individuals to bring them to a point of repentance and genuine seeking of God's aid.