Verse 3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. Gathered — Into their own land.
Verse 4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. No city — Or rather, no town inhabited, where they might refresh themselves.
Verse 6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. The Lord — Heb. Unto Jehovah, to the true God. For the Heathens had, many of them, some knowledge of the true God.
Verse 7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. Forth — Out of the wilderness.
Verse 10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Darkness — In dark prisons or dungeons.
Verse 12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Heart — The pride and obstinacy of their hearts. Fell — They fell into hopeless miseries.
Verse 17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Afflicted — With sickness.
Verse 20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Word — His command, or blessing.
Verse 32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. Exalt him — In public assemblies, and before all persons, as they have opportunity. Elders — The magistrates or rulers; let them not be ashamed nor afraid to speak of God’s wonderful works, before the greatest of men.
Verse 33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground; Rivers — Those grounds which are well watered, and therefore fruitful. And so the water-springs, here, and the standing water, verse35 are taken. Into — Into a dry ground, which is like a parched and barren wilderness.
Verse 34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. For — He doth not inflict these judgments without cause, but for the punishment of sin in some, and the prevention of it in others.
Verse 35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings. Water — Into a well-watered and fruitful land.
Verse 36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation; Hungry — Poor people who could not provide for themselves.
Verse 39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. They — These men, who when they are exalted by God, grow insolent and secure. Low — By God’s just judgment.
Verse 40 He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way. Contempt — Renders them despicable. Wander — Banishes them from their own courts and kingdoms, and forces them to flee into desolate wildernesses for shelter.