Psalms 107:20
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's often missed is that "his word" isn't just a gentle suggestion, but God's powerful command, like a divine decree that instantly brings about healing. This single word, spoken by God, was so potent it rescued them from what threatened their complete destruction, whether that was illness, a grave situation, or even the pit of the grave itself.
This passage continues a pattern of recounting God's deliverance of His people from peril, moving from general affliction to a specific scenario where individuals were near death due to their own foolishness and iniquities. The preceding verses describe their suffering and cries to God, setting the stage for this moment of miraculous rescue, which is then followed by calls to offer thanksgiving sacrifices.
Have you ever felt like a simple word could change everything? For God, it’s not just possible – it’s His method.
This verse highlights the incredible power embedded in God's word. It's not just ink on a page or sounds from a mouth; it's God's command, His blessing, His very essence going forth to accomplish His will.
A Word of Command
When God speaks, creation listens. When He says 'heal,' sickness flees. When He declares 'deliver,' destruction retreats. This isn't a plea or a suggestion; it's a powerful decree that instantly changes reality.
A Word of Blessing
Beyond command, God's word is also a blessing. It carries His favor and His life-giving power. When He 'sends his word,' He sends His active, potent presence to bring about restoration and salvation.
The psalmist doesn't just mention healing; he speaks of escaping utter ruin. What kind of destruction are we talking about?
The word translated 'destructions' here carries a weighty meaning. It points to the very brink of ruin, the pit, or even the grave itself.
Facing the Abyss
Imagine being so sick, so afflicted, that you are practically on the edge of death. The circumstances are dire, threatening complete annihilation. This is the level of destruction from which God delivers.
Divine Rescue
God's intervention is not a minor fix; it's a profound rescue from the jaws of destruction. He doesn't just alleviate suffering; He pulls people out of the very pits that would consume them, restoring them to life and wholeness.
Understand the original words
dabar · Hebrew Noun
The power of God's revelation, decree, or promise. It is the active agency of God by which He creates, sustains, judges, and redeems, possessing inherent power to accomplish His purpose.
shachath · Hebrew Noun
A term describing the pit, the grave, or the realm of the dead (Sheol). It represents total destruction or the final cessation of earthly life, often used poetically to describe the brink of death.
This verse reflects on God's power to rescue and restore His people from devastating national calamities, like the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile, pointing to His ultimate healing power through His Word.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its inhabitants. This event represents a major destruction and scattering of God's people.
c. 605-586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire deport significant portions of the population of Judah, including elites and skilled workers, to Babylon. This marks a period of great suffering and loss.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, scattering the remaining population and leaving a devastating wound on the national and religious life of the people.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus, overthrows the Babylonian Empire. This shift in power leads to the decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to their homeland.
This passage beautifully parallels how God's word is an active agent, going out and accomplishing His purposes, just as it brings healing in Psalm 107.
Luke 7:7This New Testament account shows Jesus healing a centurion's servant with just a word, demonstrating the divine authority and power inherent in God's spoken command, echoing the sentiment of Psalm 107:20.
Matthew 8:8Similar to Luke 7:7, this instance highlights Jesus' power to heal through His word alone, reinforcing the idea that God's decree is sufficient for miraculous restoration.
Hebrews 4:12This verse describes the Word of God as living and active, sharper than any sword, and able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart, showing the profound, life-altering power of God's word, which extends to spiritual healing.
1 Peter 2:24This passage directly links Christ's suffering and wounds to our healing, indicating that the ultimate healing, both physical and spiritual, comes through God's redemptive work, making the 'word' in Psalm 107 a powerful testament to this.
wesleyPsalms 107:20: "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."
107:20 Word - His command, or blessing.
poolePsalms 107:20: "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."
His word; his command, or his blessing, which came with power.
What's often missed is that "his word" isn't just a gentle suggestion, but God's powerful command, like a divine decree that instantly brings about healing. This single word, spoken by God, was so potent it rescued them from what threatened their complete destruction, whether that was illness, a grave situation, or even the pit of the grave itself.
This passage continues a pattern of recounting God's deliverance of His people from peril, moving from general affliction to a specific scenario where individuals were near death due to their own foolishness and iniquities. The preceding verses describe their suffering and cries to God, setting the stage for this moment of miraculous rescue, which is then followed by calls to offer thanksgiving sacrifices.
This passage continues a pattern of recounting God's deliverance of His people from peril, moving from general affliction to a specific scenario where individuals were near death due to their own foolishness and iniquities. The preceding verses describe their suffering and cries to God, setting the stage for this moment of miraculous rescue, which is then followed by calls to offer thanksgiving sacrifices.
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c. 537 BC
First Return of Exiles to Jerusalem
Under leaders like Zerubbabel, the first wave of Jewish exiles returns from Babylon to Jerusalem. They begin the arduous task of rebuilding the Temple and their community.
"He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction." — What's often missed is that "his word" isn't just a gentle suggestion, but God's powerful command, like a divine decree that instantly brings about healing. This single word, spoken by God, was so po…
