He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
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
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death. The Lord in providence fetches out prisoners from their cells and bids them breathe the sweet fresh air again, and then he takes off their fetters, and gives liberty to their aching limbs. So also he frees men from care and trouble, and especially from the misery and slavery of sin.
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