The Meaning of Psalms 107:39 Explained

Psalms 107:39

KJV: Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.

YLT: And they are diminished, and bow down, By restraint, evil, and sorrow.

Darby: And they are diminished and brought low, through oppression, adversity, and sorrow:

ASV: Again, they are diminished and bowed down Through oppression, trouble, and sorrow.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Again, they are minished  and brought low  through oppression,  affliction,  and sorrow. 

What does Psalms 107:39 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 107:39 mean?

And when they are diminished and brought low Through oppression affliction and sorrow -
וַיִּמְעֲט֥וּ וַיָּשֹׁ֑חוּ מֵעֹ֖צֶר רָעָ֣ה וְיָגֽוֹן ‪‬׆‬

וַיִּמְעֲט֥וּ  And  when  they  are  diminished 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: מָעַט  
Sense: to be or become small, be few, be diminished.
וַיָּשֹׁ֑חוּ  and  brought  low 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: שָׁחַח 
Sense: to bow, crouch, bow down, be bowed down.
מֵעֹ֖צֶר  Through  oppression 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: עֹצֶר  
Sense: restraint, coercion.
רָעָ֣ה  affliction 
Parse: Adjective, feminine singular
Root: רַע 
Sense: bad, evil.
וְיָגֽוֹן  and  sorrow 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יָגֹון  
Sense: grief, sorrow, anguish.
‪‬׆‬  - 
Parse: Punctuation