hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse beautifully captures the utter depletion that comes not just from physical lack, but from an overwhelming sense of helplessness. The original Hebrew word for "fainted" suggests something being covered or growing dark, painting a picture of their inner world becoming dim and indistinct from sheer exhaustion.
hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a larger psalm that recounts God's faithfulness, using stories of His people's deliverance from various desperate situations. The verses leading up to this describe travelers lost in a barren desert, their provisions gone and their bodies weakening. The psalm then goes on to detail their cries to God and His subsequent rescue, leading into verses about redemption from spiritual wildernesses.
Imagine being lost in a vast, unforgiving desert, the sun beating down, your throat parched, your stomach aching with emptiness. This isn't just physical discomfort; it's a primal signal.
The Psalmist uses vivid imagery here – 'hungry and thirsty' – to paint a picture of utter desperation. This isn't just mild inconvenience; it's a state where the very life force ('their soul') begins to fail.
Beyond Physical Need
While it likely refers to literal starvation and dehydration for travelers in harsh lands, the verse also resonates on a deeper level. It speaks to a profound spiritual emptiness. When we're spiritually starved, when we're 'thirsty' for God's presence and 'hungry' for His righteousness, our inner selves begin to collapse, just like a body deprived of sustenance.
This condition highlights our absolute dependence on God. Just as we cannot survive without food and water, we cannot truly thrive without Him. Our souls are designed to be filled by Him.
Sometimes, it’s only when we hit rock bottom, when we've exhausted all other options, that we finally look up. This verse captures that exact moment of surrender.
The context of Psalm 107 is a song of thanksgiving for God's deliverance. Verses like this describe the dire straits from which God rescues His people.
The Lowest Point
The phrase 'their soul fainted within them' suggests a state where all hope seems lost. They are weak, overwhelmed, and utterly helpless. It’s the point of complete reliance, not on their own strength or resources, but on the mercy of their rescuer.
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This often mirrors our spiritual journey. When we realize our own inability to satisfy our deepest needs, when we feel 'faint' under the weight of sin or suffering, we are perfectly positioned to experience God's saving power. It’s in our weakness that His strength is most profoundly displayed.
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.
Psalm 107 often reflects on the harrowing experiences of Israel, particularly during the Exodus and the Babylonian Exile. The vivid description of being 'hungry and thirsty' and 'fainting' captures the extreme physical and spiritual suffering endured by those lost or displaced, underscoring God's power to deliver even from the most desolate circumstances.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites leave Egypt after centuries of slavery. Their journey through the Sinai wilderness was fraught with immense hardship, including periods of intense hunger and thirst, testing their faith and dependence on God.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wandering in the Wilderness
Following the Exodus, the Israelites wandered for 40 years in the desert. This prolonged period meant facing scarcity of food and water, often leading to desperation and faintness, mirroring the imagery in Psalm 107.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib campaigned in the region, devastating many Judean cities and besieging Jerusalem. This event would have caused widespread disruption, fear, and potential famine for the inhabitants.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon captures Jerusalem and deports many of its citizens, including royalty and skilled craftsmen, to Babylon. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile and a period of immense suffering and displacement for the Judeans.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, bringing a brutal end to the Kingdom of Judah. The remaining population faces further deportations, famine, and extreme hardship.
c. 586-538 BC
Babylonian Exile
The Judean people live in exile in Babylon, stripped of their land and homeland. This era was characterized by deep sorrow, longing for Zion, and a profound sense of loss, vividly depicted by the psalm's themes of distress and faintness.
This passage directly parallels the physical suffering of hunger and thirst described in Psalms 107:5, showing Jesus experiencing these same intense deprivations in the wilderness.
Luke 15:16This verse illustrates the desperate state of spiritual hunger and emptiness that results from being lost and separated from God, mirroring the 'fainting soul' described in Psalms 107:5.
Isaiah 49:10This prophetic promise speaks of God's future care, ensuring His people will not suffer from hunger, thirst, or extreme heat, directly addressing the physical hardships mentioned in Psalms 107:5.
Psalm 42:1-2This passage expresses a profound spiritual longing, using the imagery of thirst for God, which resonates with the soul's deep yearning and exhaustion described in Psalms 107:5.
poolePsalms 107:5: "Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them."
Partly for want of necessary provisions, and partly through anguish of spirit.
ellicottPsalms 107:5: "Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them."
(5) Fainted. —Literally, let itself be covered. (See Psalm 77:3 .)
This verse beautifully captures the utter depletion that comes not just from physical lack, but from an overwhelming sense of helplessness. The original Hebrew word for "fainted" suggests something being covered or growing dark, painting a picture of their inner world becoming dim and indistinct from sheer exhaustion.
This passage is part of a larger psalm that recounts God's faithfulness, using stories of His people's deliverance from various desperate situations. The verses leading up to this describe travelers lost in a barren desert, their provisions gone and their bodies weakening. The psalm then goes on to detail their cries to God and His subsequent rescue, leading into verses about redemption from spiritual wildernesses.
This passage is part of a larger psalm that recounts God's faithfulness, using stories of His people's deliverance from various desperate situations. The verses leading up to this describe travelers lost in a barren desert, their provisions gone and their bodies weakening. The psalm then goes on to detail their cries to God and His subsequent rescue, leading into verses about redemption from spiritual wildernesses.
"hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them." — This verse beautifully captures the utter depletion that comes not just from physical lack, but from an overwhelming sense of helplessness. The original Hebrew word for "fainted" suggests something b…
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Last reviewed October 2026