Psalm 107:40
New International Version
he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste.

New Living Translation
the LORD pours contempt on their princes, causing them to wander in trackless wastelands.

English Standard Version
he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes;

Berean Standard Bible
He pours out contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

King James Bible
He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.

New King James Version
He pours contempt on princes, And causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way;

New American Standard Bible
He pours contempt upon noblemen And makes them wander in a pathless wasteland.

NASB 1995
He pours contempt upon princes And makes them wander in a pathless waste.

NASB 1977
He pours contempt upon princes, And makes them wander in a pathless waste.

Legacy Standard Bible
He pours contempt upon nobles And makes them wander in a pathless void.

Amplified Bible
He pours contempt on princes And makes them wander in a pathless wasteland.

Christian Standard Bible
he pours contempt on nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He pours contempt on nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

American Standard Version
He poureth contempt upon princes, And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.

Contemporary English Version
But the LORD will take revenge on those who conquer you, and he will make them wander across desert sands.

English Revised Version
He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He poured contempt on their influential people and made them stumble around in a pathless desert.

Good News Translation
he showed contempt for their oppressors and made them wander in trackless deserts.

International Standard Version
Having poured contempt on their nobles, causing them to err aimlessly in the way.

Majority Standard Bible
He pours out contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

NET Bible
He would pour contempt upon princes, and he made them wander in a wasteland with no road.

New Heart English Bible
He pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in a trackless waste.

Webster's Bible Translation
He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.

World English Bible
He pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in a trackless waste.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He is pouring contempt on nobles, "" And causes them to wander in vacancy—no way.

Young's Literal Translation
He is pouring contempt upon nobles, And causeth them to wander in vacancy -- no way.

Smith's Literal Translation
He poured out contempt upon the nobles, and he will cause them to wander in a waste of not a way.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Contempt was poured forth upon their princes: and he caused them to wander where there was no passing, and out of the way.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Contempt was poured over their leaders, and he caused them to wander in an impassable place, and not on the way.

New American Bible
Where they were diminished and brought low through misery and cruel oppression.

New Revised Standard Version
he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He pours contempt upon rulers, and causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He casts evil upon Rulers and makes them wander in a trackless waste without a road.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He poureth contempt upon princes, And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Contempt is poured upon their princes, and he causes them to wander in a desert and trackless land.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Give Thanks to the LORD, for He is Good
39When they are decreased and humbled by oppression, evil, and sorrow, 40He pours out contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland. 41But He lifts the needy from affliction and increases their families like flocks.…

Cross References
Job 12:21
He pours out contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty.

Job 12:24
He deprives the earth’s leaders of reason and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

Isaiah 40:23
He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless.

Daniel 4:17
This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’

Daniel 4:25
You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will feed on grass like an ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.

Daniel 4:32
You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.”

1 Samuel 2:7-8
The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. / He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.

Proverbs 3:34
He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.

Luke 1:52
He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Isaiah 24:21
In that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven above and the kings of the earth below.

Isaiah 29:14
Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”

Isaiah 29:19
The humble will increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Ezekiel 17:24
Then all the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD. I bring the tall tree down and make the low tree tall. I dry up the green tree and make the withered tree flourish. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it.’”


Treasury of Scripture

He pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.

poureth

Job 12:21,24
He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty…

Isaiah 23:8,9
Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth? …

contempt

Psalm 78:66
And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.

Exodus 8:3,17,24
And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs: …

Joshua 10:24-26
And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them…

causeth

Psalm 107:4
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

Job 12:24
He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

Jeremiah 13:15-18
Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken…

wilderness.

Jump to Previous
Causes Causeth Contempt End Kings Lands Makes Nobles Pathless Poureth Pouring Pours Pride Princes Puts Sends Trackless Vacancy Wander Wandering Waste Wastes Way Wilderness
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Causes Causeth Contempt End Kings Lands Makes Nobles Pathless Poureth Pouring Pours Pride Princes Puts Sends Trackless Vacancy Wander Wandering Waste Wastes Way Wilderness
Psalm 107
1. The psalmist exhorts the redeemed in praising God to observe his manifold providence
4. Over travelers
10. Over captives
17. Over sick men
23. Over sailors
33. And in diverse varieties of life.














He pours contempt on the nobles
This phrase begins with the action of God, "He pours," indicating a deliberate and sovereign act. The Hebrew root for "pours" is "שָׁפַךְ" (shaphak), which conveys the idea of pouring out or shedding, often used in contexts of judgment or wrath. This suggests that God's actions are purposeful and just, reflecting His authority over all creation. The term "contempt" implies a strong disdain or scorn, highlighting the reversal of human pride and the futility of earthly power when it stands against divine will. The "nobles" are those of high status or rank, often seen as leaders or rulers. Historically, this could refer to the leaders of Israel or surrounding nations who have turned away from God's commandments. The Bible frequently illustrates that God humbles the proud and exalts the humble, reminding us that true honor comes from obedience to Him.

and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland
The phrase "makes them wander" uses the Hebrew root "תָּעָה" (ta'ah), meaning to err, go astray, or wander. This conveys a sense of being lost or without direction, a condition often resulting from disobedience or rebellion against God. The imagery of wandering evokes the Israelites' 40 years in the desert, a period of testing and reliance on God. The "trackless wasteland" is a metaphor for desolation and barrenness, emphasizing the consequences of turning away from God. In biblical times, a wasteland was a place of danger and scarcity, underscoring the severity of divine judgment. This serves as a powerful reminder that without God's guidance, even the most powerful can find themselves lost and without hope. The verse as a whole calls believers to humility and dependence on God, recognizing that true wisdom and direction come from Him alone.

Verse 40. - He poureth contempt upon princes. A direct quotation from Job 12:21, but not therefore to be regarded as spurious, since the sacred writers often quote one another, and the psalmists especially are very much in the habit of citing, or referring to Job (see, in this very psalm, besides the present passage, vers. 10, 18 (bis), 20, 34, 41, and 42). And causeth them to wander in the wilderness; rather, a wilderness (comp. Job 12:24). Where there is no way. "Wandering in a wilder ness without a way denotes helpless embarrassment" (Hengstenberg).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He pours
שֹׁפֵ֣ךְ (šō·p̄êḵ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8210: To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out

contempt
בּ֭וּז (būz)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 937: Disrespect

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the nobles
נְדִיבִ֑ים (nə·ḏî·ḇîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 5081: Voluntary, generous, magnanimous, a grandee

and makes them wander
וַ֝יַּתְעֵ֗ם (way·yaṯ·‘êm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8582: To vacillate, reel, stray

a pathless
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

wasteland.
בְּתֹ֣הוּ (bə·ṯō·hū)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8414: A desolation, desert, a worthless thing, in vain


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OT Poetry: Psalm 107:40 He pours contempt on princes and causes (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 107:39
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