Psalms 107:10
Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
Original Language Analysis
יֹ֭שְׁבֵי
Such as sit
H3427
יֹ֭שְׁבֵי
Such as sit
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
חֹ֣שֶׁךְ
in darkness
H2822
חֹ֣שֶׁךְ
in darkness
Strong's:
H2822
Word #:
2 of 6
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
וְצַלְמָ֑וֶת
and in the shadow of death
H6757
וְצַלְמָ֑וֶת
and in the shadow of death
Strong's:
H6757
Word #:
3 of 6
shade of death, i.e., the grave (figuratively, calamity)
Cross References
Luke 1:79To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.Isaiah 42:7To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.Matthew 4:16The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.Matthew 22:13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.Micah 7:8Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.Psalms 105:18Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:Job 3:5Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.
Historical Context
This scenario describes exiles in Babylon ('bound in affliction and iron') sitting in darkness far from home. It also echoes Egypt's bondage and any imprisonment for God's people. Spiritually, it depicts humanity's slavery to sin before regeneration. Ephesians 2:1-3 describes being 'dead in trespasses and sins.' Acts 26:18 describes conversion as turning 'from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.'
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways was humanity sitting in 'darkness and shadow of death' before Christ?
- How does spiritual bondage to sin parallel physical imprisonment?
- What does deliverance from darkness to light entail in Christian conversion?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse begins the second rescue scenario: prisoners in darkness. 'Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death' uses powerful imagery. 'Darkness' (choshek, חשֶׁךְ) represents ignorance, misery, and separation from God. 'Shadow of death' (tsalmaveth, צַלְמָוֶת) means deep darkness or death-shadow. 'Being bound in affliction and iron' describes imprisonment with chains. This depicts both literal captivity (exile, prison) and spiritual bondage—humanity imprisoned in sin and death (Isaiah 42:7; 61:1; Luke 4:18). We're born in darkness, bound by sin, unable to free ourselves. Only divine intervention liberates prisoners of darkness.