Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,
Human affairs are not ruled by blind fortune but by God's judgments in all the changes and chances of this world. Adversity, shipwreck, famine, disease, war, marks His displeasure summoning us to account for our sins; prosperity flows from His grace so He may receive the praise due a merciful Father and impartial Judge.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 107:1-43
Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. The cell is dark of itself, and the fear of execution casts a still denser gloom over the prison. Such is the cruelty of man to man that tens of thousands have been made to linger in places only fit to be tombs; unhealthy, suffocating, filthy sepulchres, where they have sickened and died of broken hearts.
Prisoners sit in darkness, in the shadow of death itself, because they rebelled against God's words and scorned His counsel. Their affliction is meant to humble them, to break their pride and bring them low in their own eyes; if their hearts remain hard and high under it, they thwart God's very purpose.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 107:10-16