Psalms 107:3
And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
Original Language Analysis
וּֽמֵאֲרָצ֗וֹת
them out of the lands
H776
וּֽמֵאֲרָצ֗וֹת
them out of the lands
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
1 of 6
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וּמִֽמַּעֲרָ֑ב
and from the west
H4628
וּמִֽמַּעֲרָ֑ב
and from the west
Strong's:
H4628
Word #:
4 of 6
the west (as a region of the evening sun)
Cross References
Psalms 106:47Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.Revelation 5:9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;Jeremiah 29:14And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.Jeremiah 31:8Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.Jeremiah 31:10Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.Deuteronomy 30:3That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.Ezekiel 39:27When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;
Historical Context
The Babylonian exile scattered Jews to various regions of the empire. Return under Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah brought back a remnant, though most remained in dispersion. This verse celebrates the beginning of restoration, though complete gathering awaited future fulfillment. Isaiah prophesied more comprehensive gathering (Isaiah 11:11-12; 27:12-13; 43:5-7). Jesus referenced gathering 'from the four winds' (Matthew 24:31). The church now experiences this as elect are gathered from all nations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does physical gathering from exile prefigure spiritual gathering of the church?
- In what ways does God continue to 'gather' His scattered people today?
- What is the relationship between the regathering of Israel and the gathering of the church from all nations?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes gathering from geographical dispersion. 'And gathered them out of the lands' refers to exiles returning from various nations. 'From the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south' uses four directions to indicate universal gathering from all places of scattering. The Hebrew actually says 'from the sea' (yam, יָם) instead of 'south,' indicating comprehensive gathering from all directions. This prophetically points to the gathering of God's people from all nations (Isaiah 43:5-6; Matthew 8:11). The physical gathering from exile prefigures the spiritual gathering of elect from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 7:9).