Psalms 107:36-37
And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's remarkable here is that God doesn't just provide sustenance, but He sets the hungry in a place where they can build. This suggests that for those who are truly in need, God's provision isn't just a temporary fix, but the very foundation upon which they can establish their own future and community.
This verse is part of a broader section in Psalm 107 that describes God's power to transform desolate places into fertile havens. Following the description of God turning deserts into water and barren lands into springs, this verse depicts those who were previously hungry and destitute finding sustenance and stability in these transformed lands, establishing communities and cities. It paints a picture of God's provision, enabling the destitute to not only survive but thrive and build lasting homes.
Ever feel like you're in a dry, unfruitful place, struggling to find sustenance? This psalm speaks to that deep human need.
The psalm begins by describing God's power to transform desolate lands into places of abundance. He can turn deserts into pools of water and barren lands into springs (Psalm 107:35). This isn't just about geography; it's a picture of God's ability to bring life and provision where there was none.
This transformative power is then applied to people. God brings those who are hungry—those in desperate need—to these newly fertile lands. This act signifies more than just finding food; it's about God establishing His people in a place where they can thrive and build a future.
What does it mean to not just survive, but to actively build a life and a community?
The verse doesn't stop at God providing food; it continues with 'and they establish a city to live in.' This is a crucial step. It shows that God's provision isn't just temporary relief; it empowers people to become creators and builders.
Once their immediate hunger is met, they take the next step: establishing a permanent dwelling. They 'prepare a city for habitation.' This signifies order, community, defense, and a future. It’s the transition from desperate survival to intentional living, made possible by God's blessing upon their need.
Understand the original words
ra'eb · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A state of physical or spiritual deprivation; in a biblical sense, it often describes the condition of those who realize their need for God's provision and righteousness.
This verse paints a vivid picture of God's provision for those in need, enabling them to establish stable communities. It echoes the experience of ancient Israelites in the wilderness, exiles returning home, and even modern settlers transforming the land.
c. 1400 BC
Israel's Wilderness Journey
After escaping Egypt, the Israelites wandered for 40 years, facing hunger and scarcity in the desert. God provided for them, eventually leading them to the Promised Land.
c. 1000 BC - 500 BC
Post-Exilic Rebuilding of Jerusalem
Following the Babylonian exile, remnants of Judah returned to their land and began the arduous task of rebuilding Jerusalem and its temple, establishing a city and society anew.
Early 1st century AD
Roman Expansion and Colonization
The Roman Empire's vast reach often led to the settlement of previously undeveloped or sparsely populated regions. New cities were established or revitalized to consolidate control and foster economic activity.
c. AD 30-70
Early Church Growth
The burgeoning Christian movement spread, with believers establishing communities and forming 'cities' of faith, often in challenging circumstances, drawing people hungry for spiritual sustenance.
This passage directly parallels the idea of people establishing a dwelling place and city, highlighting the human desire for settled community after God's intervention.
Deuteronomy 8:10-12This warns the Israelites not to forget God when they are full and living in prosperous cities, contrasting the blessing of dwelling in established places with the potential for spiritual forgetfulness.
Nehemiah 2:3This shows Nehemiah's desire to rebuild Jerusalem, a city, demonstrating the enduring theme of establishing and dwelling in a secured place after hardship or exile.
Isaiah 65:21-22This prophetic passage paints a picture of God's future restoration, where people will build houses, plant vineyards, and dwell in them, echoing the fulfillment of settling and enjoying God's provision.
pulpitPsalms 107:36: "And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;"
Verse 36. - And there he maketh the hungry to dwell. God gives the laud, which he has thus blessed, to some previously famishing people; as he did Canaan to Israel after they had had but scant fare in the wilderness. That they may prepare a city for habitation; literally, and they prepare. It is naturally their first thought to prepare themselves a settled dwelling-place (comp. Genesis 4:17; G…
gillPsalms 107:36: "And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;"
And there he maketh the hungry to dwell,.... In those fruitful places which they find agreeable to them, and so fix upon them as the places of their abode, and build houses, and dwell there; having all the conveniences of life, which they wanted elsewhere: so such as hunger and thirst after righteousness make to such places where the waters are, the word is preached, and ordinances administere…
What's remarkable here is that God doesn't just provide sustenance, but He sets the hungry in a place where they can build. This suggests that for those who are truly in need, God's provision isn't just a temporary fix, but the very foundation upon which they can establish their own future and community.
This verse is part of a broader section in Psalm 107 that describes God's power to transform desolate places into fertile havens. Following the description of God turning deserts into water and barren lands into springs, this verse depicts those who were previously hungry and destitute finding sustenance and stability in these transformed lands, establishing communities and cities. It paints a picture of God's provision, enabling the destitute to not only survive but thrive and build lasting homes.
This verse is part of a broader section in Psalm 107 that describes God's power to transform desolate places into fertile havens. Following the description of God turning deserts into water and barren lands into springs, this verse depicts those who were previously hungry and destitute finding sustenance and stability in these transformed lands, establishing communities and cities. It paints a picture of God's provision, enabling the destitute to not only survive but thrive and build lasting homes.
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c. AD 1600-1800— this verse
Colonial Settlement of the Americas
European colonists, often driven by economic hardship or seeking new opportunities, established settlements in the Americas, transforming wilderness into inhabited cities and agricultural lands.
"And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield." — What's remarkable here is that God doesn't just provide sustenance, but He sets the hungry in a place where they can build. This suggests that for those who are truly in need, God's provision isn't…
