Psalms 107:34

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 107:34 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “A fruitful land into a salt desert, For the wickedness of them that dwell therein.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

A fruitful land into a salt desert, For the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
Psalms 107:34 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 107

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
34A fruitful land into a salt desert, For the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A fruitful land - Hebrew, A land of fruit. That is, a land that would produce abundance. The word “fruit” here is not used in the limited sense in which we now employ it, but means any productions of the earth. Into barrenness - Margin, as in Hebrew, “saltness.” The word is used to denote a barren soil, because where salt “abounds” the soil “is” barren. Thus it is around the Dead Sea. Compare Job 39:6; Jeremiah 17:6. See also Virg. Geor. II. 238, “Salsa ... tellus - frugibus infelix;” Pliny, Hist. Nat. 31. 7; Bochart, Hieroz. t. i., p. 872. For the wickedness of them that dwell therein - As he overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah; probably alluding to that. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For - He doth not inflict these judgments without cause, but for the punishment of sin in some, and the prevention of it in others. Psalms 107:35”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a fruitful: Gen 13:10, Gen 13:13, Gen 19:25; Deu 29:23-28; Isa 32:13-15 barrenness: Heb. saltness, Gen 14:3; Eze 47:11 Psalms 107:35”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification