Psalm 107 19

Psalm 107:19 kjv

Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.

Psalm 107:19 nkjv

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses.

Psalm 107:19 niv

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

Psalm 107:19 esv

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

Psalm 107:19 nlt

"LORD, help!" they cried in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.

Psalm 107 verses

Psalm 107 19 Meaning

Psalm 107:19 reveals God's consistent responsiveness to His people's cries for help when they are in desperate straits. It emphasizes a sequence where severe trouble, often self-inflicted through disobedience, drives individuals to seek divine intervention. In turn, the Almighty Lord, Yahweh, demonstrates His sovereign power and faithful compassion by delivering them completely from all forms of their profound anguish.

Psalm 107 19 Context

Psalm 107 is a profound hymn of thanksgiving, structured around four distinct groups of people experiencing various forms of distress (wanderers in the wilderness, prisoners in darkness, fools afflicted by their sin, and sailors in a storm), and God's consistent deliverance from each. Verse 19 specifically relates to the third group, described in verses 17-18, who "were fools because of their transgression, and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed any food, and they drew near to the gates of death." This verse serves as the turning point for this group, emphasizing that even when trouble is a direct consequence of sin, crying out to Yahweh brings His saving intervention. The historical context reflects Israel's experiences, both individually and nationally, facing the consequences of their choices or external challenges, and God's ever-present readiness to rescue His penitent people. The repeated refrain in verses 6, 13, 19, and 28 highlights God's unfailing compassion across diverse circumstances of human suffering and demonstrates the power of humble supplication.

Psalm 107 19 Word analysis

• Then (וַיִּצְעֲקוּ, vayyiṣ‘āqû): This conjunction indicates a direct consequence or the immediate next action following their desperate state described in verses 17-18. It signals a shift from their suffering to their turning point.

• they cried (וַיִּצְעֲקוּ, vayyiṣ‘āqû from root צעק ṣā‘aq): To "cry out," "wail," "shout for help." This term is used for an urgent, desperate, and often loud plea, born of helplessness and severe distress. It signifies more than a mere request; it is a raw expression of anguish directed to a higher power for rescue. It implies acknowledging one's own inability to solve the problem.

• to the Lord (אֶל-יְהוָה, ʾel Yahweh): This specific direction of their cry is crucial. They appealed not to idols, not to human strength, not to their own wisdom, but to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This signifies a recognition of His unique sovereignty, power, and covenant faithfulness.

• in their trouble (בַּצַּר לָהֶם, baṣṣar lāhem from ṣar צַר): Meaning "distress," "tightness," "adversity," "straits," "anguish." It implies a state of being hemmed in, experiencing pressure, or a difficult predicament with no apparent way out. It covers both internal and external forms of severe difficulty.

• and he saved them (וַיּוֹשִׁיעֵם, vayyôšî‘em from root ישׁע yāša‘): "To save," "deliver," "rescue," "help." This verb often describes a powerful, decisive act of divine deliverance. The Hebrew emphasizes God as the active agent who brings salvation.

• from their distresses (מִמְּצֻקוֹתֵיהֶם, mimmetṣûqōtêhem from mĕṣûqāh מצוקה): A plural noun meaning "distresses," "straits," "afflictions," "perils," "oppressions." This term reiterates and amplifies "trouble," suggesting multifaceted or compounded difficulties. The plural emphasizes comprehensive deliverance from all their binding, restrictive conditions.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble": This phrase highlights the profound moment of turning to God in extremity. It shows the humility born of despair, recognizing God as the sole source of help in their dire straits. Their previous efforts or reliance on themselves failed, leading to this ultimate cry.
  • "and he saved them from their distresses": This confirms the Lord's immediate and effective response. The action shifts from human desperation to divine omnipotence. It signifies complete, comprehensive rescue, addressing the very root and multiplicity of their predicaments. This is not partial deliverance but a full liberation.

Psalm 107 19 Bonus section

The repeated refrain throughout Psalm 107 serves as a liturgical anchor, possibly for congregational worship, designed to remind God's people of His consistent character across different trials. It functions as a catechetical tool, teaching the Israelites about God's responsiveness to genuine supplication, irrespective of the cause of their trouble. The placement of this specific verse (19) after the description of self-inflicted suffering due to sin (vv. 17-18) powerfully conveys the depth of God's grace and forgiveness. It illustrates that God's salvation is not reserved for the blameless but is extended even to those whose choices have led them to the brink. This aspect prefigures the New Testament concept of salvation from sin and its consequences, highlighting God's mercy over judgment when hearts turn to Him in true need. The deliverance described is often holistic, encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual relief, demonstrating God's care for every dimension of human suffering.

Psalm 107 19 Commentary

Psalm 107:19 is a concise yet powerful articulation of a fundamental biblical truth: God's readiness to respond to the earnest cry of His people in their darkest hours. For the "fools" in this section (Psa 107:17), their suffering was directly attributable to their own sin and rebellion against God's Word. This context magnifies God's grace; He is not merely saving the innocent from external evils but extending salvation even to those whose plight is self-imposed. The verb "cried" (צָעַק, ṣā‘aq) signifies a deep, heartfelt, and often loud lament, expressing complete dependence and helplessness. It is a genuine outpouring of the soul, not a perfunctory prayer. This desperation compels them to turn to Yahweh, emphasizing His exclusive identity as the Deliverer. The resultant "saving" (יָשַׁע, yāša‘) is complete, rescuing them from the "distresses" (מְצֻקוֹת, mĕṣûqôt) in all their forms. This consistent divine pattern of human distress leading to a fervent cry, followed by divine deliverance, serves as an enduring testimony to God's covenant faithfulness, compassion, and sovereign power across all human conditions. It underlines that repentance, marked by this desperate cry, opens the door to God's merciful intervention.