The Meaning of Psalms 107:33 Explained

Psalms 107:33

KJV: He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;

YLT: He maketh rivers become a wilderness, And fountains of waters become dry land.

Darby: He maketh rivers into a wilderness, and water-springs into dry ground;

ASV: He turneth rivers into a wilderness, And watersprings into a thirsty ground;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He turneth  rivers  into a wilderness,  and the watersprings  into dry ground; 

What does Psalms 107:33 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 107:33-43 - The "loving-Kindnesses Of The Lord"
The measure changes here. From Psalms 107:33 the psalmist drops the refrain and describes, not deliverance from peril or pain, but the sudden alternations wrought by God's providence. Lands pass from fertility to barrenness, and human lives from prosperity to trouble, and back again. But through all these vicissitudes runs the same loving-kindness, as is clearly discerned by those who have eyes to see and hearts to take heed. How little did Joseph's brethren realize that behind all the strange experiences they had with his steward, in his house, and in the matter of the cup, a brother's heart was yearning to reach a moment when all disguise might be laid aside! Similarly we fail to believe that Love is above and through and in all things.
Life resembles this psalm, so full is it of change and trying experiences. Few enjoy unbroken years of prosperity. We are poured from vessel to vessel, and are forbidden to settle on our lees. Our nests are stirred up to teach us how to fly. For most there is the wilderness, the cell, sickness, and the tossing of the ocean waves. But always believe in the love of God. Do not forget to cry; and when your cry has brought an answer of peace, do not forget to praise. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 107

1  The psalmist exhorts the redeemed in praising God to observe his manifold providence
4  Over travelers
10  Over captives
17  Over sick men
23  Over sailors
33  And in diverse varieties of life

What do the individual words in Psalms 107:33 mean?

He turns rivers into a wilderness and the water-springs into dry ground
יָשֵׂ֣ם נְהָר֣וֹת לְמִדְבָּ֑ר וּמֹצָ֥אֵי מַ֝֗יִם לְצִמָּאֽוֹן

יָשֵׂ֣ם  He  turns 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Jussive, third person masculine singular
Root: שׂוּמָה 
Sense: to put, place, set, appoint, make.
נְהָר֣וֹת  rivers 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: נָהָר  
Sense: stream, river.
לְמִדְבָּ֑ר  into  a  wilderness 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִדְבָּר 
Sense: wilderness.
מַ֝֗יִם  the  water-springs 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.
לְצִמָּאֽוֹן  into  dry  ground 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: צִמָּאֹון  
Sense: thirsty ground.