What does Psalms 107:34 mean?

"A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein." - Psalms 107:34

"A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein." - Psalms 107:34

Psalms 107:34 (KJV) reads: "A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein."

This verse is part of a larger psalm that describes the redeemed of the Lord gathering from all corners of the earth to give thanks to him for his mercies and wonders. The psalmist speaks of various experiences of God's people - those who wandered in the desert and hungered and thirsted, those who were imprisoned in darkness and in chains, those who were foolish and rebelled, and those who sailed the seas and encountered storms. In each of these instances, the Lord heard their cries and delivered them from their distress. As a response, the psalmist exhorts the redeemed to give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

Psalms 107:34 (KJV) states that the Lord can turn a fertile land into a barren one because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it. This seemingly harsh judgment serves as a warning against the consequences of wickedness and disobedience. The concept of the land being turned from fruitful to barren serves as a symbolic representation of a life or a community that experiences the devastating effects of sin and unrighteousness. It is a powerful reminder that God's judgment is just and that wickedness will not go unnoticed.

One of the key themes in this verse is the concept of divine justice. The verse speaks to the idea that God is ultimately in control of the land and that he has the power to bring judgment upon the wicked. This reflects a broader theme found throughout the Bible, where God's righteousness is upheld, and his judgments are executed with fairness and impartiality.

The context of this verse is also important to consider. In the larger psalm, the psalmist is recounting the various ways in which God has delivered his people from distress. The turning of a fruitful land into barrenness serves as a stark contrast to the deliverance and blessings that the psalmist describes throughout the rest of the psalm. It serves as a reminder that while God is a God of mercy and deliverance, he is also a God of justice and righteousness.

Symbolically, the turning of a fruitful land into barrenness can also be interpreted as a representation of the spiritual state of those who dwell in the land. The wickedness of the people has resulted in the land becoming barren, reflecting the spiritual desolation and decay that occurs when one turns away from God and embraces wickedness.

Overall, Psalms 107:34 (KJV) serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, justice, and righteousness. It underscores the consequences of disobedience and wickedness while also highlighting the mercy and deliverance that God extends to his people. As with many verses in the Psalms, it encourages the reader to reflect on the nature of God and to consider their own relationship with him.

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Psalms 107:34 Artwork

Psalms 107:34 - "A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein."

Psalms 107:34 - "A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein."

"A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein." - Psalms 107:34

"A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein." - Psalms 107:34

Psalms 107:9

Psalms 107:9

Psalms 107:9

Psalms 107:9

Psalms 107:9

Psalms 107:9

Psalms 107:26 - "They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble."

Psalms 107:26 - "They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble."

Psalms 107:25 - "For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof."

Psalms 107:25 - "For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof."

"They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in." - Psalms 107:4

"They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in." - Psalms 107:4

"These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep." - Psalms 107:24

"These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep." - Psalms 107:24

Psalms 107:5 - "Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them."

Psalms 107:5 - "Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them."

"He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;" - Psalms 107:33

"He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;" - Psalms 107:33

"Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;" - Psalms 107:10

"Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;" - Psalms 107:10

Psalms 107:24 - "These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep."

Psalms 107:24 - "These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep."

Psalms 107:17 - "Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted."

Psalms 107:17 - "Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted."

"And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase." - Psalms 107:37

"And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase." - Psalms 107:37

Psalms 107:10 - "Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;"

Psalms 107:10 - "Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;"

"He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings." - Psalms 107:35

"He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings." - Psalms 107:35

"He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still." - Psalms 107:29

"He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still." - Psalms 107:29

"They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;" - Psalms 107:23

"They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;" - Psalms 107:23

Psalms 107:35 - "He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings."

Psalms 107:35 - "He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings."

Psalms 107:23 - "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;"

Psalms 107:23 - "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;"

Psalms 107:27 - "They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end."

Psalms 107:27 - "They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end."

Psalms 107:36 - "And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;"

Psalms 107:36 - "And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;"

Psalms 107:4 - "They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in."

Psalms 107:4 - "They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in."

Psalms 107:33 - "He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;"

Psalms 107:33 - "He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;"

"Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:" - Psalms 107:11

"Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:" - Psalms 107:11

Psalms 107:22 - "And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing."

Psalms 107:22 - "And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing."

Psalms 107:28 - "Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses."

Psalms 107:28 - "Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses."

Psalms 107:11 - "Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:"

Psalms 107:11 - "Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:"

Psalms 107:13 - "Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses."

Psalms 107:13 - "Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses."