Verse 3

And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

Gathered — Into their own land.

Verse 4

They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

No city — Or rather, no town inhabited, where they might refresh themselves.

Verse 6

Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

The Lord — Heb. Unto Jehovah, to the true God. For the Heathens had, many of them, some knowledge of the true God.

Verse 7

And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

Forth — Out of the wilderness.

Verse 10

Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

Darkness — In dark prisons or dungeons.

Verse 12

Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.

Heart — The pride and obstinacy of their hearts.

Fell — They fell into hopeless miseries.

Verse 17

Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.

Afflicted — With sickness.

Verse 20

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Word — His command, or blessing.

Verse 32

Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Exalt him — In public assemblies, and before all persons, as they have opportunity.

Elders — The magistrates or rulers; let them not be ashamed nor afraid to speak of God's wonderful works, before the greatest of men.

Verse 33

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

Rivers — Those grounds which are well watered, and therefore fruitful. And so the water-springs, here, and the standing water, verse35 are taken.

Into — Into a dry ground, which is like a parched and barren wilderness.

Verse 34

A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

For — He doth not inflict these judgments without cause, but for the punishment of sin in some, and the prevention of it in others.

Verse 35

He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

Water — Into a well-watered and fruitful land.

Verse 36

And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;

Hungry — Poor people who could not provide for themselves.

Verse 39

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

They — These men, who when they are exalted by God, grow insolent and secure.

Low — By God's just judgment.

Verse 40

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

Contempt — Renders them despicable.

Wander — Banishes them from their own courts and kingdoms, and forces them to flee into desolate wildernesses for shelter.