10 Those who were in the dark, in the black night, in chains of sorrow and iron; 11 Because they went against the words of God, and gave no thought to the laws of the Most High: 12 So that he made their hearts weighted down with grief; they were falling, and had no helper. 13 Then they sent up their cry to the Lord in their sorrow, and he gave them salvation out of all their troubles. 14 He took them out of the dark and the black night, and all their chains were broken. 15 Let men give praise to the Lord for his mercy, and for the wonders which he does for the children of men! 16 The doors of brass are broken by his arm, and the bands of iron are cut in two.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 107:10-16
Commentary on Psalm 107:10-16
(Read Psalm 107:10-16)
This description of prisoners and captives intimates that they are desolate and sorrowful. In the eastern prisons the captives were and are treated with much severity. Afflicting providences must be improved as humbling providences; and we lose the benefit, if our hearts are unhumbled and unbroken under them. This is a shadow of the sinner's deliverance from a far worse confinement. The awakened sinner discovers his guilt and misery. Having struggled in vain for deliverance, he finds there is no help for him but in the mercy and grace of God. His sin is forgiven by a merciful God, and his pardon is accompanied by deliverance from the power of sin and Satan, and by the sanctifying and comforting influences of God the Holy Spirit.