Psalm 107 37

Psalm 107:37 kjv

And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.

Psalm 107:37 nkjv

And sow fields and plant vineyards, That they may yield a fruitful harvest.

Psalm 107:37 niv

They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest;

Psalm 107:37 esv

they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield.

Psalm 107:37 nlt

They sow their fields, plant their vineyards,
and harvest their bumper crops.

Psalm 107 verses

Psalm 107 37 Meaning

Psalm 107:37 depicts a scene of profound transformation and divine provision. It illustrates that those whom the Lord delivers from distress are then blessed with the ability to settle, engage in agricultural pursuits, and ultimately reap abundant and productive harvests. This verse signifies security, stability, prosperity, and the reversal of former desolation into a state of flourishing, all enabled by God's gracious hand.

Psalm 107 37 Context

Psalm 107 is a thanksgiving psalm, a hymn celebrating the steadfast love and faithfulness of the Lord. The chapter repeatedly illustrates a pattern: people cry out to God in various forms of distress (wilderness wandering, imprisonment, illness due to sin, storm at sea), God delivers them, and then they offer thanks. After detailing these four types of deliverance, the psalm transitions into describing how God transforms circumstances (vv. 33-38). He turns fruitful lands into desert (for the wicked) and deserts into fruitful lands (for the delivered and righteous). Verse 37 specifically fits into this section, highlighting the reversal of fortunes and God's provision for those whom He restores. It portrays the secure, settled, and productive life that God grants after a period of affliction and wandering, a stark contrast to the initial wilderness wanderings described earlier in the psalm (vv. 4-9). The historical context often refers to the return from Babylonian exile or general acts of God's providence to His people in providing stability and sustenance after periods of hardship or instability. It serves as a testament to Yahweh's unique power over nature and destiny, affirming His benevolent care unlike any pagan deity.

Psalm 107 37 Word analysis

• They sowed (וַיִּזְרְעוּ, vayyizre‘u): From the root זָרַע (zarāʿ), meaning "to sow seed." This action signifies initiative, labor, and a long-term investment, expecting a future yield. It implies settled life, not nomadism.
• fields (שָׂדוֹת, śāḏôṯ): Plural of שָׂדֶה (śāḏeh), referring to cultivated land or open country. It represents agricultural spaces specifically designated for planting crops. This suggests a permanent dwelling place and the establishment of an agricultural economy.
• and planted (וַיִּטְּעוּ, vayyiṭṭə‘û): From the root נָטַע (nāṭaʿ), meaning "to plant, set in place, establish." This verb often refers to planting trees or vines, signifying a more permanent and settled form of agriculture than just sowing annual grains.
• vineyards (כְּרָמִים, kəramîm): Plural of כֶּרֶם (kerem), meaning "vineyard." Vineyards were significant for the economy and culture of ancient Israel, producing wine for celebration and sustenance. Their establishment signifies long-term stability and a richer, more abundant life beyond mere subsistence.
• and gathered (וַיַּעֲשׂוּ, vayya‘aśû): From the root עָשָׂה (‘āśāh), meaning "to do, make, produce, yield." Here, it signifies the culmination of their labor—they actively collected or produced the harvest. It denotes successful outcome and active participation in the benefit.
• a fruitful harvest (תְּבוּאָה, təḇû’āh): Refers to "produce, yield, income, fruit" from the land. This term emphasizes the outcome of the agricultural efforts—a bountiful and successful yield. It is not just about labor, but about the productive result. This stands in direct contrast to the famine and hunger often associated with wandering and desolation mentioned earlier in the psalm. It reinforces the theme of God reversing fortunes to grant prosperity.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "They sowed fields and planted vineyards": This phrase emphasizes agricultural endeavor, indicating a settled, productive lifestyle. It points to a shift from barrenness and uncertainty to stability and long-term planning, characteristic of a secure existence provided by God. This speaks of the people actively participating in their provision under divine blessing.
• "and gathered a fruitful harvest": This concluding phrase highlights the success and bounty of their labors, which is fundamentally a gift from God. The emphasis is on fruitful produce, implying not just basic sustenance but abundance and prosperity. It directly ties their labor to a positive and rewarding outcome, signifying God's complete provision and the reversal of their earlier distress. The phrase powerfully illustrates God's grace turning effort into success.

Psalm 107 37 Bonus section

The transformation described in Psalm 107:37 directly challenges ancient Near Eastern polytheism where agricultural fertility was often attributed to specific nature gods (like Baal for rain and crops). By presenting Yahweh as the one who facilitates the change from wilderness to fertile land and grants the "fruitful harvest," the psalmist subtly but powerfully asserts YHWH's exclusive sovereignty over creation and the destinies of humanity. The ability to plant and harvest signifies a deep state of peace, security, and well-being. People only undertake such long-term investments in agriculture when they are confident of continued dwelling in the land and protection from enemies or famine. Thus, the verse implicitly praises God as the ultimate source of peace, safety, and economic prosperity, allowing His people to settle down and truly thrive after hardship. This also provides an important balance to the "calling out" passages earlier in the psalm: once delivered, God enables them not just to survive, but to truly live and produce.

Psalm 107 37 Commentary

Psalm 107:37 serves as a powerful testament to God's transformative grace and providential care. Following descriptions of dire straits, this verse pictures the redeemed engaging in fundamental human activities of agriculture—sowing fields and planting vineyards. These acts signify stability, the ability to plan for the future, and an expectation of reward, all made possible by divine intervention. The climax, "and gathered a fruitful harvest," confirms the success of their labors, underscoring that the fertility and yield are ultimately from the Lord. It’s a divine reversal: those who wandered in dry, unproductive lands are now blessed to cultivate and consume from abundant land. This is not merely human effort, but effort blessed by God, demonstrating His faithfulness to bring His people out of desolation into flourishing life. The verse echoes the blessings of the covenant (Deut 28) and points forward to eschatological prosperity, depicting a secured and fruitful life made possible by the good hand of God. Practically, it encourages us to engage in purposeful work with faith, knowing that God often blesses diligence in the secure environment He provides.