Psalms 107:38
He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְבָרֲכֵ֣ם
He blesseth
H1288
וַיְבָרֲכֵ֣ם
He blesseth
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
1 of 6
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
וַיִּרְבּ֣וּ
them also so that they are multiplied
H7235
וַיִּרְבּ֣וּ
them also so that they are multiplied
Strong's:
H7235
Word #:
2 of 6
to increase (in whatever respect)
מְאֹ֑ד
greatly
H3966
מְאֹ֑ד
greatly
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
וּ֝בְהֶמְתָּ֗ם
not their cattle
H929
וּ֝בְהֶמְתָּ֗ם
not their cattle
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
Cross References
Exodus 1:7And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.Genesis 12:2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:Genesis 17:20And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.Deuteronomy 30:9And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:Deuteronomy 7:14Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.Genesis 17:16And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.Proverbs 10:22The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.Jeremiah 30:19And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.Genesis 9:1And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.Genesis 30:43And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.
Historical Context
Post-exilic restoration included population and agricultural recovery. Zechariah prophesied streets full of children and old people—population growth after decimation (Zechariah 8:4-5). Nehemiah recorded repopulating Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11). God's promise to Abraham ('I will multiply thy seed,' Genesis 22:17) continued through return from exile. For the church, spiritual multiplication fulfills this—believers multiplied as gospel spreads (Acts 2:41, 47; 6:7). God blesses His people with growth.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's blessing manifest in both human and material multiplication?
- What is the relationship between covenant faithfulness and comprehensive flourishing?
- How does the church's growth fulfill God's promises of multiplication and blessing?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes God's blessing on restored community. 'He blesseth them also' shows divine favor actively bestowed. 'Blesseth' (barak, בָּרַךְ) means to kneel, bless, or make prosperous. 'So that they are multiplied greatly' indicates population growth—fulfilling Abrahamic covenant promises. 'And suffereth not their cattle to decrease' adds agricultural prosperity. 'Cattle' (behemah, בְּהֵמָה) means livestock or beasts of burden—economic wealth. God's blessing encompasses both human and agricultural multiplication. This demonstrates comprehensive blessing: people, food production, livestock—total flourishing. Covenant faithfulness brings God's active blessing on all life dimensions.