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Psalm 107:10
Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron,
8Let them praise the LORD for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!
9For he satisfies the longing soul. He fills the hungry soul with good.
10Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron,
11because they rebelled against the words of God, and condemned the counsel of the Most High.
12Therefore he brought down their heart with labor. They fell down, and there was no one to help.
Notice
Iron makes this darkness tangible: the people described here face suffering that restricts their bodies and leaves them under the shadow of death.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What does the word “iron” add to your sense of these prisoners’ suffering?
Write on thisWhat part of your life feels closest to sitting in darkness?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 68:6God sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.Both passages speak of prisoners, with Psalm 107 describing their confinement and Psalm 68 naming God as the one who brings them out.
Isaiah 9:2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The light has shined on those who lived in the land of the shadow of death.Darkness and the shadow of death describe the people’s plight in both passages; Isaiah also speaks of light reaching them.
Luke 1:79to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.”Both describe people sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, while Luke speaks of light shining on them.
Psalm 107:14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke away their chains.The darkness, shadow of death, and bonds described in verse 10 become the very conditions God overcomes in verse 14.
Micah 7:8Don’t rejoice against me, my enemy. When I fall, I will arise. When I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.Both passages describe sitting in darkness; Micah’s speaker also declares that the LORD will be a light.
Isaiah 42:7to open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison.Both describe prisoners sitting in darkness, with Isaiah speaking of bringing them out of prison.
Matthew 4:16the people who sat in darkness saw a great light; to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”Both passages describe people sitting in darkness under death’s shadow; Matthew adds that light has dawned on them.
Romans 6:20–21The shared thread is bondage, though Psalm 107 describes affliction and iron while Romans speaks of being servants of sin.
Job 3:5Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own. Let a cloud dwell on it. Let all that makes the day black terrify it.Both use darkness and the shadow of death to convey dread, though Job directs these words toward a day.
Job 36:8If they are bound in fetters, and are taken in the cords of afflictions,Both passages join physical bonds with affliction, describing people whose suffering includes being held captive.
Psalm 69:33For the LORD hears the needy, and doesn’t despise his captive people.Captivity appears in both passages; Psalm 69 adds that the LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.
Psalm 105:18They bruised his feet with shackles. His neck was locked in irons,Both passages describe confinement in iron, with Psalm 105 specifying the bruised feet and locked neck of one prisoner.
Where this verse fits
Fear for the future. feeling distant from God.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The darkness is real, and the iron binds. Later in this psalm, God breaks those chains; here, Scripture lets the full weight of captivity be named.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).