Psalms 107:4
Psalms 107:4 in Multiple Translations
Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no path to a city in which to dwell.
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way; They found no city of habitation.
They were wandering in the waste places; they saw no way to a resting-place.
They wandered in the desert wilderness, unable to find a way to a city where they could live.
When they wandered in the desert and wildernesse out of the waie, and founde no citie to dwell in,
They wandered in a wilderness, in a desert by the way, A city of habitation they have not found.
They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way. They found no city to live in.
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: and I will sing unto thee among the populations.
Some of those who returned from those countries wandered in the desert; they were lost and had no homes to live in.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 107:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 107:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תָּע֣וּ
בַ֭/מִּדְבָּר
בִּ/ישִׁימ֣וֹן
דָּ֑רֶךְ
עִ֥יר
מ֝וֹשָׁ֗ב
לֹ֣א
מָצָֽאוּ
תָּע֣וּ
tâʻâh
H8582
to go astray
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
בַ֭/מִּדְבָּר
midbâr
H4057
mouth
Prep | N-ms
בִּ/ישִׁימ֣וֹן
yᵉshîymôwn
H3452
wilderness
Prep | N-ms
דָּ֑רֶךְ
derek
H1870
way
N-cs
עִ֥יר
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fs
מ֝וֹשָׁ֗ב
môwshâb
H4186
seat
N-ms
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
מָצָֽאוּ
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 107:4
תָּע֣וּ
tâʻâh
H8582
"to go astray"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This word means to go astray or wander, and can be used physically or morally. It can also mean to cause someone to err or stumble.
Definition: 1) to err, wander, go astray, stagger 1a) (Qal) to err 1a1) to wander about (physically) 1a2) of intoxication 1a3) of sin (ethically) 1a4) wandering (of the mind) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made to wander about, be made to stagger (drunkard) 1b2) to be led astray (ethically) 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to wander 1c1) to cause to wander about (physically) 1c2) to cause to wander (of intoxication) 1c3) to cause to err, mislead (mentally and morally)
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) go astray, deceive, dissemble, (cause to, make to) err, pant, seduce, (make to) stagger, (cause to) wander, be out of the way. See also: Genesis 20:13; Isaiah 9:15; Psalms 58:4.
בַ֭/מִּדְבָּר
midbâr
H4057
"mouth"
Prep | N-ms
The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) mouth 1a) mouth (as organ of speech)
Usage: Occurs in 257 OT verses. KJV: desert, south, speech, wilderness. See also: Genesis 14:6; Joshua 5:4; Psalms 29:8.
בִּ/ישִׁימ֣וֹן
yᵉshîymôwn
H3452
"wilderness"
Prep | N-ms
Jeshimon, or wilderness, refers to a desolate or empty place, often a desert. It is a place of solitude and emptiness, as described in the Bible.
Definition: waste, wilderness, desert, desolate place
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: desert, Jeshimon, solitary, wilderness. See also: Numbers 21:20; 1 Samuel 26:3; Psalms 68:8.
דָּ֑רֶךְ
derek
H1870
"way"
N-cs
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
עִ֥יר
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
מ֝וֹשָׁ֗ב
môwshâb
H4186
"seat"
N-ms
A seat can refer to a physical place of sitting or a gathering of people, like an assembly. It can also mean a dwelling place or location, and is sometimes used to describe a group of people living together.
Definition: 1) seat, assembly, dwelling-place, dwelling, dwellers 1a) seat, sitting, those sitting, sitting company or assembly 1b) dwelling place, dwelling 1c) situation, location 1d) time of dwelling 1e) those dwelling, dweller
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: assembly, dwell in, dwelling(-place), wherein (that) dwelt (in), inhabited place, seat, sitting, situation, sojourning. See also: Genesis 10:30; 1 Samuel 20:25; Psalms 1:1.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
מָצָֽאוּ
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
Study Notes — Psalms 107:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 107:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 107:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 107:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 107:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 107:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 107:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 107:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 107:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 107:4
- Sermons on Psalms 107:4
Context — Thanksgiving for Deliverance
2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy
3and gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.
4Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no path to a city in which to dwell.
5They were hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted within them. 6Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 32:10 | He found him in a desert land, in a barren, howling wilderness; He surrounded him, He instructed him, He guarded him as the apple of His eye. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 34:12 | As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 34:6 | My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. They were scattered over the face of all the earth, with no one to search for them or seek them out.’ |
| 4 | Numbers 14:33 | Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness. |
| 5 | Genesis 21:14–16 | Early in the morning, Abraham got up, took bread and a skin of water, put them on Hagar’s shoulders, and sent her away with the boy. She left and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she left the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she said, “I cannot bear to watch the boy die!” And as she sat nearby, she lifted up her voice and wept. |
| 6 | Psalms 107:40 | He pours out contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland. |
| 7 | Hebrews 11:38 | The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground. |
| 8 | Job 12:24 | He deprives the earth’s leaders of reason and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland. |
| 9 | Numbers 32:13 | The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation who had done evil in His sight was gone. |
| 10 | Deuteronomy 8:15 | He led you through the vast and terrifying wilderness with its venomous snakes and scorpions, a thirsty and waterless land. He brought you water from the rock of flint. |
Psalms 107:4 Summary
[This verse talks about people who felt completely lost and alone, like they were wandering in a desert with no direction or purpose. They were searching for a place to belong, but couldn't find it. This can happen to us when we feel disconnected from God or unsure of our path in life (as in Psalm 119:105). But the good news is that God is always available to help us, and when we cry out to Him, He will deliver us from our troubles (Psalm 107:6).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to wander in desert wastelands?
This phrase is a metaphor for feeling lost and without direction, much like the Israelites in Exodus 13:18, who wandered in the wilderness before reaching the Promised Land. It can also represent a spiritual dryness or emptiness, as described in Psalm 63:1.
Why did these people find no path to a city in which to dwell?
The lack of a path to a city may symbolize the search for a sense of belonging, security, or purpose, which can only be truly found in God, as stated in Psalm 90:1. Without God, we can feel lost and without direction, like those wandering in the desert.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Psalm?
This verse is part of a larger description of God's redemption and deliverance, as seen in Psalm 107:2-3, where the redeemed of the Lord are gathered from various lands. It highlights the contrast between the desperation of being lost and the hope of being found and redeemed by God.
What can we learn from the experience of these wanderers?
We can learn that even in our darkest moments, God is always available to help us, as seen in Psalm 107:6, where the people cry out to the Lord in their trouble and He delivers them. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, even when we feel lost or alone.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I have felt like a wanderer in desert wastelands, and how did I find my way back to God?
- How can I apply the principle of crying out to the Lord in my trouble, as seen in Psalm 107:6, to my own life?
- What are some 'desert wastelands' in my life where I need God's guidance and provision, and how can I trust Him to provide for me?
- In what ways can I help others who may be wandering in their own desert wastelands, and how can I point them to the hope of God's redemption?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 107:4
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way,.... Not the people of Israel, as the Targum.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 107:4
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 107:4
They wandered in the wilderness; mistaking their way, which they might easily do in the vast and sandy deserts of Arabia. No city to dwell in; or rather, no city or town inhabited, where they might refresh themselves, as travellers used to do; for they did not go into the wilderness to seek for a city or habitation there, but only intended to pass through it, as appears by the context, and by the nature of the thing.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 107:4
Psalms 107:4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.Ver. 4. They wandered in the wilderness, &c.] This is a sad case, Mendicum patria amissa laribusque vagari. Pλαγχθοσυνηςουκεστικακωτεροναλλοβροτοισι. And yet this is the case of all God’ s redeemed ones while they are here, Hebrews 11:38 1 Peter 2:12. Per varios casus per tot discrlmina rerum Tendimus in patriam veram vitamque perennem.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 107:4
(4-9) The wanderers.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 107:4
Verse 4. They wandered in the wilderness] Here begins the FINEST comparison: the Israelites in captivity are compared to a traveller in a dreary, uninhabited, and barren desert, spent with hunger and thirst, as well as by the fatigues of the journey, Psalms 107:5.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 107:4
4–9. First example of Jehovah’s lovingkindness to men: the deliverance of travellers who had lost their way in the desert and were on the point of perishing, doubtless a common experience. Cp. Job 6:18-20.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 107:4
They wandered in the wilderness - On their return from Babylon; or, when God was conducting them again to their own land.
Sermons on Psalms 107:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Blood Upon Dry Land by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the commission given to believers to deliver multitudes who are sorrowing and crying out in our generation. He uses the example of Moses, who |
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Loving Jesus by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of loving Jesus wholeheartedly. He urges believers to prioritize their relationship with Christ above all earthly possessions |
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The Blessing of Affliction by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal anecdote about a man named Brother Harry who initially struggled with his preaching. However, after surrendering to God, his life tur |
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Take, Bless, Break & Give by Michael Flowers | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the significance of the feeding of the 5,000, a story found in all four gospels. He emphasizes that this event is a sign, pointing to somethi |
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What Mercy Did for Us by James Smith | James Smith preaches about Israel's history, highlighting the wonders of God's grace and the wonders of sin. He emphasizes how God found and rescued His people from a desert land, |
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Blessed Are They Who Consider by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on his personal struggle with leaving his job and following God's calling. He shares how God spoke to him through the sight of four birds peck |
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America's Godly Heritage by John Franklin | In this sermon, the speaker recounts the story of the early pilgrims and Puritans who settled in America, seeing themselves as a type of the children of Israel. The sermon referenc |