Psalms 107:13 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּזְעֲק֣וּ אֶל־ יְ֭הוָה בַּצַּ֣ר לָהֶ֑ם מִ֝מְּצֻֽקוֹתֵיהֶ֗ם יוֹשִׁיעֵֽם׃
BSAThen they cried outzâʻaq▸ [in desperation, with a loud voice] toʼêl the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] in their troubletsar [narrow, hard, or tight spot] [and] He savedyâshaʻ▸ [delivered, freed from danger] from their distressmᵉtsûwqâh [anguish, tight spot, or suffering]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּזְעֲק֣וּ | and they cried out | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| אֶל־ | to | Preposition |
| יְ֭הוָה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| בַּצַּ֣ר | when it was distress | Preposition |
| לָהֶ֑ם | to them | Preposition, suffix |
| מִ֝מְּצֻֽקוֹתֵיהֶ֗ם | from troubles their | Preposition, noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| יוֹשִׁיעֵֽם׃ | he saved them | Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. |
| KJV | Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. |
| ASV | Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he saved them out of their distresses. |
| YLT | And they cry unto Jehovah in their adversity, From their distresses He saveth them. |
| WEB | Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. |
| BBE | Then they sent up their cry to the Lord in their sorrow, and he gave them salvation out of all their troubles. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of יָשַׁע — see How Translations Differ.
One main verb governs the verse, supported by prepositional phrases that clarify the circumstances and direction of the cry.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke & more — read them ›
clause
verbזָעַק
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 107:13
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Deliverance of the Distressedgenerated
Psalm 107:13 describes a situation where people, overwhelmed by trouble, cry out to the LORD for help. This verse is part of a larger narrative that illustrates God's faithfulness in rescuing those who call upon Him in their times of need. The psalm reflects on various forms of distress and God's willingness to save, emphasizing His compassion and power to deliver from suffering, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 107:6–19 | Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. |
| 2 | Psalm 18:6 | In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears. |
| 3 | Psalm 116:3–6 | The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow. |
| 4 | Exodus 3:7–8 | The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. |
| 5 | Judges 4:3 | Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, because Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and he had harshly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יָשַׁע, yasha`generated
The verb יָשַׁע (yasha`) means to save or deliver, often in contexts of danger or trouble. It is a hiphil imperfect form, indicating an ongoing action of saving. This word captures the essence of divine rescue, suggesting that salvation is not just a one-time event but an active, continuous process.
In this verse, it emphasizes that God actively saves those who cry out to Him, highlighting His role as a protector and deliverer. The use of this verb in the context of distress underscores the urgency and necessity of divine intervention.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses saved to translate יָשַׁע.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יָשַׁע governs the entire verse, indicating that God is the subject performing the action of saving. The structure includes a prepositional phrase indicating direction towards God, followed by the circumstances of their distress and the object being saved.
The sentence flows from the action of crying out to the result of that action — salvation from distress. This order emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship between the cry for help and God's response.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יָשַׁע as σώζω (sōzō), which means to save or rescue. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing the act of delivering from danger or distress.
This translation reflects the understanding of God's role as a savior, consistent with the Hebrew text's portrayal of divine intervention in times of trouble.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 107:13 shows that when people are in trouble, they can cry out to the LORD, and He will save them from their distress. This verse highlights the importance of seeking God in times of need and His readiness to help those who call on Him.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Crying out to the LORD signifies a desperate plea for help, acknowledging one's need for divine intervention.
God responds by saving or delivering them from their troubles, showing His compassion and willingness to help.
The verse refers to various forms of distress, including physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges that people face.
Yes, it encourages believers to seek God in times of trouble, trusting in His ability to save and deliver.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what situations have I cried out to God for help, and how did He respond?
- How can I encourage others to seek God in their times of distress?
- What does this verse teach me about the nature of God as a deliverer?
- How can I apply the lessons from this verse in my daily life?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 107:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThen they cried unto the Lord in their trouble,.... Their affliction, their hearts being brought down with labour, and they being and finding themselves in a state of darkness, in the shadow of
Read John Gill on Psalms 107 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThen they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 107 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 107:13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he saved them out of their distresses.Ver. 13. Then they cried unto the Lord] See Psalms 107:6. And he saved them, &c.] This is comfort to the greatest sinners; if they can but find a praying heart, God will find a pitying heart, and rebels shall be received with all sweetness, if at length they return, though brought in by the cross.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 107 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 13. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble] This was the salutary effect which their afflictions produced: they began to cry to God for mercy and help; and God mercifully heard their prayer, and reversed their state; for,
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 107 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges10–16. A second example of Divine goodness, in the liberation of prisoners, or captives languishing in the dungeon of exile in punishment for their rebellion against God. The Targ. interprets the passage of Zedekiah and the nobles of Judah in captivity at Babylon.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 107 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThen they cried unto the Lord in their trouble - Compare Dan. 9. This is repeated in the psalm in Psalms 107:6, Psalms 107:13, Psalms 107:19, Psalms 107:28 - in all the divisions of the psalm except the last.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 107 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible13. Then they cried unto the Lord—Their repentance comes in their extremity. See Luke 15:17, and note on Psalms 78:34
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 107 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.
Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.
They cried out to the Lord in their distress; he delivered them from their troubles.
Tyndale line
Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he saved them out of their distresses.
Then they cried unto the LORD hi their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
Then they cried vnto the Lord in their trouble, and he deliuered them from their distresse.
Strictly literal
Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble, [and] he saved them out of their distresses;
And they cry unto Jehovah in their adversity, From their distresses He saveth them.
And they cry to YHWH in their adversity, || He saves them from their distresses.
But when they cry unto the Lord when they are in distress, he saveth them out of their afflictions;
Then they called out to Yahweh in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.
From the Latin
O grant us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
Simplified
Then they called out to the Lord for help in their troubles, and he saved them from their suffering.
Then they sent up their cry to the Lord in their sorrow, and he gave them salvation out of all their troubles.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording for this verse, with six out of seven words matching closely. The Dead Sea Scrolls also reflect similar content, though some words are restored, indicating a shared tradition in the understanding of this psalm.
וַיִּזְעֲק֣וּ אֶל־ יְ֭הוָה בַּצַּ֣ר לָהֶ֑ם מִ֝מְּצֻֽקוֹתֵיהֶ֗ם יוֹשִׁיעֵֽם׃
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[ויזעקו] אל יהוה בצר ל׳הם ממציקותי׳הם וישיע׳ם
3 words on the leather — 3 partly restored, 1 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 107:13
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
זָעַק (za`aq) is a Hebrew verb meaning to cry out or call for help, often in a context of distress or need. It can also refer to assembling or summoning people, particularly for military purposes. The word has various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of calling or gathering.
[זָעַק] vb. cry, cry out, call
Qal
call, to one's aid
cry, cry out, in need
Niph. be called together, assemble, join
Hiph.
call, call out, or together, for military service
make a crying
have proclamation made
call out, or at
base
H2199 זָעַק cry, cry out, call .. call, to one's aid
. cry, cry out, in need
. be called together, assemble, join
. . call, call out, or together, for military service
. make a crying
. have proclamation made
. call out, or at
2199 za`aq zaw-ak'
a primitive root; to shriek (from anguish or danger); by
analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly:--
assemble, call (together), (make a) cry (out), come with such
a company, gather (together), cause to be proclaimed.
זָעַק (za.aq) — to cry out.
1) to cry, cry out, call, call for help
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call (to one's aid)
1a2) to cry, cry out (in need)
1b) (Niphal) to be assembled, be called together, be joined together
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to call, call out, call together, summon
1c2) to make a crying, proclaim
1c3) to have a proclamation made
1c4) to call out to, call out at
Aramaic equivalent: ze.iq (זְעִ֑ק "to cry out" H2200)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vqw3mp
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Prep — PrepositionHR
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
The Hebrew word צַר (tsar) is built from the root meaning 'narrow' or 'tight.' It encompasses a range of meanings including 'distress,' 'adversary,' and 'hard pebble' or 'flint.' The term can refer to physical tightness or metaphorical trouble, as well as an enemy or foe. It appears in contexts of anguish and tribulation, with a specific verse reference in Isaiah 5:28.
צַר adj. narrow, tight
base
צַר n.[m.] straits, distress
base
צַר 68 n.m. adversary, foe
base
צַר n.[m.] hard pebble, flint;—Is 5:28
ref
H6862a צַר narrow, tight H6862b צַר straits, distress H6862c צַר adversary, foe H6862d צַר hard pebble, flint
6862 tsar tsar
or tsar {tsawr}; from 6887; narrow; (as a noun) a tight place
(usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble (as in
6864); (transitive) an opponent (as crowding):--adversary,
afflicted(-tion), anguish, close, distress, enemy, flint, foe,
narrow, small, sorrow, strait, tribulation, trouble.
see HEBREW for 06887
see HEBREW for 06864
צַר (tsar) — narrow.
narrow, tight
צַר (tsar) — distress.
straits, distress
צַר (tsar) — enemy.
adversary, foe, enemy, oppressor
צַר (tsar) — hard.
hard pebble, flint
Prep | Adj — PrepositionHRd/Aamsa
הֶם (hem) — them.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine plural
HR/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3mp
מְצוּקָה (metsuqah) is a feminine noun meaning narrowness or distress. It encompasses concepts of trouble, anguish, and stress. The word is derived from a related term, מְצוּק (metsuq), which suggests a sense of being confined or restricted.
מְצוּקָה n.f. id. [r.bh.ae]
base
H4691 מְצוּקָה, מְצֻקָה
4691 mtsuwqah mets-oo-kaw'
or mtsuqah {mets-oo-kaw'}; feminine of 4690; narrowness, i.e.
(figuratively) trouble:--anguish, distress.
see HEBREW for 04690
מְצוּקָה (me.tsu.qah) — distress.
straitness, distress, straits, stress
Prep | N-fp | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp
יָשַׁע (yasha`) is a Hebrew root meaning to save or deliver. It encompasses various forms of salvation, including liberation from physical and moral troubles, victory in battle, and general safety. The word can appear in different grammatical forms, such as Niph. (to be saved) and Hiph. (to save).
[יָשַׁע] vb. Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass.
Niph.
be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
be saved in battle, victorious
Hiph.
deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
save from moral troubles
give victory to
base
H3467 [יָשַׁע] Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass. . . be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
. be saved in battle, victorious
. . deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
. save from moral troubles
. give victory to
3467 yasha` yaw-shah'
a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e.
(by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or
succor:--X at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help,
preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation,
save(-iour), get victory.
יָשַׁע (ya.sah) — to save.
1) to save, be saved, be delivered
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered
1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to save, deliver
1b2) to save from moral troubles
1b3) to give victory to
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVhi3ms/Sp3mp