The verse doesn't just describe being lost; it paints a picture of utter desolation by emphasizing the lack of a "city to dwell in." This highlights not just a lack of direction, but a complete absence of belonging and settled life, emphasizing the deep human need for community and home.
Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage begins a section of Psalm 107 describing people lost and in distress. It paints a picture of travelers wandering through desolate, trackless deserts, unable to find any inhabited place for rest or refuge. This situation sets the stage for the subsequent verses, which will reveal their desperate cries to God and His merciful rescue and guidance.
Imagine being utterly lost, with no map, no guide, and no destination in sight. This verse paints a stark picture of such desperation.
This verse vividly describes a group of people lost in a vast, desolate wilderness. They aren't just geographically misplaced; they are without a place to settle, a "city to dwell in." This imagery can represent several things:
Regardless of the specific scenario, the core experience is one of profound disorientation and need.
What does it truly mean to wander in a "desert track"? It’s more than just being in a dry place.
The original language and context highlight the extreme nature of this wilderness. It wasn't just an empty space; it was a place devoid of life, paths, and habitation.
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Understand the original words
nephesh · Hebrew Noun
Referring to the immaterial part of a person, the seat of emotions, life force, and the inner being that relates to God and experiences deep physical or spiritual distress.
ataph · Hebrew Verb
To grow weak, languish, or become exhausted, often as a result of physical deprivation or extreme emotional/spiritual distress.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The covenant name of the one true God of Israel, YHWH, revealing His self-existence, faithfulness, and personal relationship with His people.
tsarah · Hebrew Noun
A state of being in confined circumstances, suffering, or anguish; often used in the Psalms to denote the pressure of external enemies or inner turmoil that drives the faithful to prayer.
natsal · Hebrew Verb
To rescue, save, or snatch away from danger or bondage; implies divine intervention on behalf of those who are helpless to save themselves.
metsuqah · Hebrew Noun
A term describing a place of confinement, restriction, or narrowness; biblically, it signifies intense suffering or a tight spot from which only God can provide escape.
This psalm likely reflects the profound experience of the Jewish people returning from Babylonian exile, a journey through desolate lands where finding safety and sustenance was a desperate struggle, highlighting their reliance on God's guidance and mercy.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar begins deporting Jews to Babylon, including royal and noble families, initiating a period of exile and displacement for many.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
More exiles, including the prophet Ezekiel, are sent to Babylon, intensifying the sense of loss and separation from the homeland.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling the remaining significant population to Babylon. This marks the end of the Judean kingdom and a profound crisis.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, paving the way for the return of exiled peoples to their homelands.
538 BC
Cyrus' Decree Allowing Return
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild their Temple, initiating the return journey.
c. 537 BC
First Return of Exiles
The first wave of Jewish exiles, led by Zerubbabel, returns to Jerusalem. They face a land that has been largely desolate and must navigate a difficult journey back.
This passage describes God finding Israel in a desolate land, guiding them like a shepherd, mirroring the lost wanderer in Psalm 107 finding divine direction.
Acts 8:26The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch shows a divine appointment in a desert place, echoing the theme of God's intervention in solitary, barren landscapes.
Hebrews 11:13This verse speaks of biblical figures living as strangers and pilgrims in the land, acknowledging that they were seeking a heavenly city, a concept that resonates with the 'no city to dwell in' lament.
Jeremiah 2:6Jeremiah vividly describes the Israelites' journey through a 'land of deserts and pits, a land of drought and deepest darkness,' capturing the very sense of desolate wandering found in the Psalm.
Luke 15:4Jesus' parable of the lost sheep highlights the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to search for the one that is lost in the wilderness, a powerful image of divine pursuit for the one who has strayed and is without refuge.
bensonPsalms 107:4: "They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in."
Psalm 107:4-7 . They wandered in the wilderness — Where there was no trodden path, no company, but a solitary way. They found no city to dwell in — Or rather, no inhabited city, or town, no lodging; no conveniences, no accommodations where they might have refreshment. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted, &c. — Spent with the fatigues of their journey, and ready to drop down for want of support.…
ellicottPsalms 107:4: "They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in."
(4-9) The wanderers. (4) They.—It seems more natural to understand the subject of the verb wandered from the preceding clauses, than to supply a general subject, they; but this is by no means a certain interpretation. It depends on the view we take of the poem. (See Introduction.) A solitary way.—Better, in a desert track. (Comp. Acts 8:26.) There is a grammatical difficulty, but this does not aff…
The verse doesn't just describe being lost; it paints a picture of utter desolation by emphasizing the lack of a "city to dwell in." This highlights not just a lack of direction, but a complete absence of belonging and settled life, emphasizing the deep human need for community and home.
This passage begins a section of Psalm 107 describing people lost and in distress. It paints a picture of travelers wandering through desolate, trackless deserts, unable to find any inhabited place for rest or refuge. This situation sets the stage for the subsequent verses, which will reveal their desperate cries to God and His merciful rescue and guidance.
This passage begins a section of Psalm 107 describing people lost and in distress. It paints a picture of travelers wandering through desolate, trackless deserts, unable to find any inhabited place for rest or refuge. This situation sets the stage for the subsequent verses, which will reveal their desperate cries to God and His merciful rescue and guidance.
"Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He l…" — The verse doesn't just describe being lost; it paints a picture of utter desolation by emphasizing the lack of a "city to dwell in." This highlights not just a lack of direction, but a complete absen…
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Last reviewed October 2026
