Psalm 107 33

Psalm 107:33 kjv

He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;

Psalm 107:33 nkjv

He turns rivers into a wilderness, And the watersprings into dry ground;

Psalm 107:33 niv

He turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground,

Psalm 107:33 esv

He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,

Psalm 107:33 nlt

He changes rivers into deserts,
and springs of water into dry, thirsty land.

Psalm 107 verses

Psalm 107 33 Meaning

Psalm 107:33 declares God's absolute sovereignty over creation, specifically His power to drastically alter natural landscapes. It portrays Him as capable of transforming life-sustaining rivers and water springs into desolate wilderness and arid, thirsty ground. This act signifies divine judgment, highlighting His authority to reverse natural blessings and bring forth barrenness, often as a consequence of human unfaithfulness or wickedness.

Psalm 107 33 Context

Psalm 107 is a wisdom psalm and a liturgical song of thanksgiving. The first part (verses 1-32) recounts God's steadfast love and deliverance for four distinct groups of people (wanderers, prisoners, the sick, and seafarers) who cried out to Him in their distress. Each section concludes with a call to thank the Lord for His goodness. Verses 33-43, where verse 33 is situated, shift focus from individual and group deliverance to God's universal sovereignty over nations and the natural world. This section illustrates how God can elevate the humble and humble the proud, as well as bring prosperity or desolation upon the land, often in response to human conduct. For an ancient audience, especially in an agrarian society, the control of water sources was paramount. Rivers and springs were essential for survival, agriculture, and sustained settlement. To speak of these vital resources being turned into wilderness and thirsty ground represented the severest form of judgment and ultimate desolation. This context reinforces the complete and terrifying power of the Lord in contrast to false deities who were often associated with fertility and rain, asserting that only Yahweh holds true authority over creation.

Psalm 107 33 Word analysis

• He turns: From the Hebrew verb הָפַךְ (haphak), meaning "to turn, to overthrow, to change, to transform, to reverse, to destroy." This is a strong word denoting a radical, often sudden, and complete alteration. It emphasizes God's active and deliberate intervention, not merely a natural phenomenon. It indicates a reversal of expected natural order by divine decree.
• rivers: From the Hebrew word נְהָרוֹת (neharot), plural of nahar, referring to large, flowing streams. Rivers were literal lifelines for ancient societies, providing water for drinking, irrigation, transport, and often defining the landscape and prosperity of a region (e.g., the Nile, Euphrates, Jordan). They symbolize abundance and vital provision.
• into a wilderness: From the Hebrew word מִדְבָּר (midbar), which is not merely an uncultivated area, but often an arid, desolate region with little to no water, capable of supporting sparse vegetation or life. It represents barrenness, isolation, danger, and a lack of sustenance. In a biblical sense, it often connotes a place of judgment or divine testing.
• and springs of water: From the Hebrew מַבּוּעֵי מַיִם (mabbu'ey mayim), literally "gushing forth of waters" or "fountains of water." Springs were crucial, reliable sources of fresh, living water, often supporting settlements in otherwise dry regions. They represent direct, natural sustenance and purity.
• into thirsty ground: From the Hebrew word צִמָּאוֹן (tsimma'on), meaning "dry, thirsty land," an intensification of aridity beyond mere wilderness. It implies utter desiccation, where even minimal vegetation struggles to survive, signaling extreme distress and a complete absence of life-giving moisture. This term evokes a sense of desperation and utter barrenness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He turns rivers into a wilderness": This phrase immediately establishes God's direct agency and transformative power. The pairing of "rivers," symbols of life and abundance, with "wilderness," a symbol of death and scarcity, highlights the dramatic and complete reversal orchestrated by the Divine hand. It paints a picture of once flourishing civilizations brought to desolation by the loss of their most vital resource.
• "and springs of water into thirsty ground": This phrase functions as a parallel intensification. "Springs," often seen as more direct and essential sources than large rivers in many dry regions, being turned into "thirsty ground" conveys a heightened level of barrenness and divine judgment. The progression from midbar (wilderness) to tsimma'on (thirsty ground) depicts an even more profound and desperate state of desiccation, emphasizing that no water source, however reliable, is beyond God's power to eliminate. Together, these two parallel statements underscore God's complete and unparalleled control over nature, demonstrating that He can withdraw His blessings as easily as He can bestow them.

Psalm 107 33 Bonus section

The profound reversal described in Psalm 107:33 stands as a significant polemic against the pagan gods of the ancient Near East, particularly Baal. Societies deeply reliant on agriculture often worshipped deities thought to control rain, fertility, and water sources. By declaring that the Lord (Yahweh) is the one who "turns rivers into a wilderness, and springs of water into thirsty ground," the Psalmist unequivocally asserts Yahweh's unparalleled authority. It implies that Baal, or any other fertility god, is powerless to provide water or prevent its removal when the God of Israel decrees otherwise. This verse not only demonstrates God's judicial power but also His unmatched omnipotence and singular dominion over all creation, exposing the emptiness of trusting in false gods for life and provision. It is a testament to the fact that all provision, both physical and spiritual, flows ultimately from Him.

Psalm 107 33 Commentary

Psalm 107:33 profoundly communicates God's sovereignty, showcasing His ultimate control over the natural world. It underscores that what provides life and abundance—rivers and springs—can, by divine decree, become sources of desolation and thirst. This is not merely a description of natural processes, but an assertion of purposeful divine action. When considered with the subsequent verse, Psalm 107:34, which attributes this desolation to "the wickedness of its inhabitants," the verse reveals God's use of natural phenomena as instruments of His justice and judgment. It serves as a stark reminder that prosperity and life are contingent upon His favor and that turning away from Him can result in the loss of foundational blessings. The contrast with verses 35-38, where God is also shown turning deserts into water sources, further highlights His absolute authority to reverse both blessing and curse, based on the moral state of humanity. This balance reinforces God as the ultimate provider and the just judge, wielding power over life-giving and life-draining forces.