He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This isn't just about God casually speaking healing into existence; "his word" here signifies His authoritative command or decree. What's remarkable is that this command, like a divine decree, held the power to instantly reverse destruction and restore life.
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm recounts various instances of God's people crying out to Him in distress and being delivered by His powerful intervention. In this specific section, the focus shifts to those who were afflicted by sickness and near death, highlighting how God's simple command, His "word," was enough to bring healing and rescue them from destruction.
When God speaks, things happen. This verse points to a profound truth about the power inherent in God's word.
The phrase 'He sent his word' here signifies God's direct command or decree. It wasn't a suggestion or a plea, but an authoritative utterance that carried immediate power. Think of it like a king issuing an order that cannot be ignored.
This verse speaks of deliverance from 'destructions.' While it clearly applies to physical ailments, the Bible often points to a deeper, spiritual healing.
The 'destructions' mentioned could refer to the ultimate demise threatened by severe illness, or even the grave itself. But the power of God's word extends beyond the physical.
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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 speaks of God's powerful, direct intervention to heal and save His people, particularly resonating with the trauma of the Babylonian exile and the miraculous restoration that followed. It highlights that even in the face of utter destruction, God's word and command are sufficient for deliverance and healing.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The northern kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of many Israelites and the dispersal of the population.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins deporting Jewish people, including members of the royal family and intellectual elite, to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
More prominent citizens and craftsmen are taken to Babylon, further diminishing the population and strength of Judah.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon, marking a profound national catastrophe.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Conquest
Cyrus the Great conquers the Neo-Babylonian Empire, paving the way for the return of exiled peoples to their homelands.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, marking the beginning of the return and restoration period.
This passage highlights Jesus as the 'Word' through whom all things were made, echoing how God's Word here brings forth healing and deliverance. It connects the creative power of God's spoken Word to its redemptive and restorative work.
Isaiah 55:10-11These verses parallel the efficacy of God's word, stating that His word 'shall not return to me empty' but will accomplish His purpose. This emphasizes that God's spoken word, as seen in Psalm 107:20, is inherently powerful and effective.
Matthew 8:8The centurion's request to Jesus, 'Only say the word, and my servant will be healed,' directly mirrors the concept in Psalm 107:20 of healing being accomplished by God's spoken word. This shows Jesus acting in divine authority, just as the Psalmist describes.
Luke 4:18This verse, where Jesus proclaims His mission to 'heal the brokenhearted' and 'give freedom to the captives,' reflects the broader spiritual healing and deliverance that God's word brings. It expands the concept of healing beyond physical restoration to include spiritual well-being.
Hebrews 4:12The description of the Word of God being 'living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword' explains the power behind the divine command to heal. It shows how God's word penetrates and transforms, bringing about profound change and restoration.
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.
This isn't just about God casually speaking healing into existence; "his word" here signifies His authoritative command or decree. What's remarkable is that this command, like a divine decree, held the power to instantly reverse destruction and restore life.
This psalm recounts various instances of God's people crying out to Him in distress and being delivered by His powerful intervention. In this specific section, the focus shifts to those who were afflicted by sickness and near death, highlighting how God's simple command, His "word," was enough to bring healing and rescue them from destruction.
This psalm recounts various instances of God's people crying out to Him in distress and being delivered by His powerful intervention. In this specific section, the focus shifts to those who were afflicted by sickness and near death, highlighting how God's simple command, His "word," was enough to bring healing and rescue them from destruction.
"He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction." — This isn't just about God casually speaking healing into existence; "his word" here signifies His authoritative command or decree. What's remarkable is that this command, like a divine decree, held…
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Last reviewed October 2026