The Meaning of Psalms 107:40 Explained

Psalms 107:40

KJV: He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.

YLT: He is pouring contempt upon nobles, And causeth them to wander in vacancy -- no way.

Darby: He poureth contempt upon nobles, and causeth them to wander in a pathless waste;

ASV: He poureth contempt upon princes, And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He poureth  contempt  upon princes,  and causeth them to wander  in the wilderness,  [where there is] no way. 

What does Psalms 107:40 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 107:40 mean?

He pours contempt on princes and causes them to wander in the wilderness [where there is] no way
שֹׁפֵ֣ךְ בּ֭וּז עַל־ נְדִיבִ֑ים וַ֝יַּתְעֵ֗ם בְּתֹ֣הוּ לֹא־ דָֽרֶךְ

שֹׁפֵ֣ךְ  He  pours 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: שֶׂפֶק 
Sense: to pour, pour out, spill.
בּ֭וּז  contempt 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: בּוּז  
Sense: contempt.
נְדִיבִ֑ים  princes 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: נָדִיב  
Sense: inclined, willing, noble, generous.
וַ֝יַּתְעֵ֗ם  and  causes  them  to  wander 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine plural
Root: תָּעָה  
Sense: to err, wander, go astray, stagger.
בְּתֹ֣הוּ  in  the  wilderness 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: תֹּהוּ  
Sense: formlessness, confusion, unreality, emptiness.
לֹא־  [where  there  is]  no 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
דָֽרֶךְ  way 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: דֶּרֶךְ  
Sense: way, road, distance, journey, manner.