10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
being bound in affliction and iron, 11 because they rebelled against the words of God,
and condemned the counsel of the Most High. 12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labor.
They fell down, and there was none to help. 13 Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble,
and he saved them out of their distresses. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
and broke their bonds in sunder. 15 Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness,
for his wonderful works to the children of men! 16 For he has broken the gates of brass,
and cut through bars of iron.
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.