Psalms 107:42
The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
Original Language Analysis
יִרְא֣וּ
shall see
H7200
יִרְא֣וּ
shall see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 7
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וְיִשְׂמָ֑חוּ
it and rejoice
H8055
וְיִשְׂמָ֑חוּ
it and rejoice
Strong's:
H8055
Word #:
3 of 7
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Psalms 63:11But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.Job 22:19The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to scorn.Romans 3:19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.Psalms 52:6The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:Proverbs 10:11The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.Isaiah 66:14And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.Psalms 112:10The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.Exodus 11:7But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
Historical Context
Throughout Scripture, God's righteous acts evoke contrasting responses. At the Red Sea, Israel sang while Egypt was silenced (Exodus 15). When exiles returned, faithful Jews rejoiced while opponents' accusations were refuted (Ezra 3:11-13; Nehemiah 6:16). At Christ's return, believers will rejoice while the wicked are rendered speechless before the Judge (Matthew 22:12; Jude 15). God's vindication of righteousness and judgment of evil is coming, producing joy for some and silence for others.
Questions for Reflection
- How should God's justice produce rejoicing in believers?
- What does the silencing of iniquity teach about final judgment?
- How can we cultivate hearts that rejoice when God vindicates righteousness and judges evil?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes contrasting responses to God's works. 'The righteous shall see it, and rejoice' shows the godly respond to God's justice with joy. 'Righteous' (yashar, יָשָׁר) means upright, straight. 'Rejoice' (samach, שָׂמַח) means to be glad. Seeing God exalt the poor and judge wickedness produces rejoicing in those aligned with God's character. 'And all iniquity shall stop her mouth' shows the wicked are silenced. 'Iniquity' (avlah, עַוְלָה) means perverseness, injustice. When God acts, the wicked have no defense or rebuttal—their mouths are stopped. This anticipates final judgment when every knee bows and every mouth confesses Christ's lordship (Philippians 2:10-11).