Meaning of Psalms 107:20

This verse from Psalm 107 proclaims the divine power of God to bring healing and deliverance through His word. It speaks to a profound act of salvation, where God's spoken decree or command is the instrument of both physical and spiritual restoration, rescuing individuals from the brink of death, metaphorically or literally the "grave." The efficacy of God's word is presented as a potent force capable of overcoming the most dire circumstances, highlighting His sovereignty and compassionate intervention in human suffering.

Context and Background

Psalm 107 is a psalm of thanksgiving that recounts God's faithfulness to different groups of people who cried out to Him in their distress: the redeemed, wanderers in the wilderness, those imprisoned, the sick, and seafarers. Verse 20 appears within the section describing those who were afflicted with illness (verses 17-22). Their ailment is described as reaching a point of near-death, "their soul abhorred all manner of food; and they drew near to the gates of death." It is in this state of extreme suffering and hopelessness that they cried out to the Lord, and He responded by sending His word.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Power of God's Word: The central theme is the inherent power and authority of God's word. It is not merely communication but a creative and redemptive force. When God speaks, His word accomplishes what it is sent to do.
• Divine Healing and Deliverance: The verse emphasizes God's ability to heal physical ailments and deliver people from death. This healing is presented as an act of rescue, a pulling back from the edge of destruction.
• Sovereignty and Compassion: God's intervention is sovereign; He acts according to His will. Yet, His action is also driven by compassion for those who cry out to Him in their need.
• Salvation through Divine Action: The "rescue from the grave" points to a broader salvation, encompassing not just physical survival but spiritual redemption.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse speaks to the power of God's word in salvation and spiritual healing. The "word" can be understood as God's decree, His promises, and ultimately, in a Christian context, Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Word made flesh (John 1:1, 14). Through faith in Christ and His atoning sacrifice, believers are healed from the spiritual death of sin and rescued from eternal condemnation. The application lies in recognizing that God's power is still active today through His word, whether it is the written Scripture that guides and transforms, or the spoken Gospel that brings salvation. It encourages believers to cry out to God in their spiritual and physical needs, trusting in His potent word to bring healing and deliverance.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse aligns with the overarching biblical narrative of God's consistent action of creation, redemption, and restoration. From the Genesis account where God speaks the universe into existence ("Let there be... and it was so"), to the prophetic promises of restoration, and culminating in the New Testament affirmation of Jesus as the Word, God's word is portrayed as the vehicle of His will and power. The healing and deliverance described here foreshadow the ultimate healing and resurrection promised to believers through Christ.

Analogies

• A Royal Decree: Imagine a king issuing a decree to save a condemned prisoner. The king's word alone has the power to overturn the sentence and grant freedom. Similarly, God's word carries the authority to reverse death and suffering.
• A Surgeon's Scalpel: A skilled surgeon uses precise instruments to heal and remove disease. God's word is the ultimate instrument of healing, precisely applied to restore what is broken.
• A Lifeboat: When a ship is sinking, a lifeboat is sent out to rescue those in peril. God's word acts as that divine lifeboat, pulling souls from the "grave" of sin and despair.

Relation to Other Verses

• Genesis 1:3: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." This foundational verse demonstrates the creative power of God's spoken word.
• John 1:1, 14: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." This passage identifies Jesus Christ as the divine Word, through whom all things were made and through whom salvation is achieved.
• Isaiah 55:11: "so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I aim, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." This prophecy reinforces the unfailing efficacy of God's word.
• James 1:18: "Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." This links the word of truth to spiritual rebirth and salvation.
• Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This highlights the penetrating and transformative power of God's word.