Psalms 107:20 — Word Study
WLCיִשְׁלַ֣ח דְּ֭בָרוֹ וְיִרְפָּאֵ֑ם וִֽ֝ימַלֵּ֗ט מִשְּׁחִיתוֹתָֽם׃
BSAHe sent forthshâlach▸ [dispatched, commanded] His worddâbâr [divine message, declaration] and healed themrâphâʼ▸ [restored, mended] He rescued themmâlaṭ▸ [delivered, saved] from the Pitshᵉchîyth [destruction, grave, underworld]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יִשְׁלַ֣ח | he sent | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| דְּ֭בָרוֹ | word his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְיִרְפָּאֵ֑ם | and he healed them | Conjunction, verb qal third person masculine singular, suffix |
| וִֽ֝ימַלֵּ֗ט | and he may deliver [them] | Conjunction, verb piel third person masculine singular |
| מִשְּׁחִיתוֹתָֽם׃ | from pits their | Preposition, noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit. |
| KJV | He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. |
| ASV | He sendeth his word, and healeth them, And delivereth them from their destructions. |
| YLT | He sendeth His word and healeth them, And delivereth from their destructions. |
| WEB | He sends his word, and heals them, and delivers them from their graves. |
| BBE | He sent his word and made them well, and kept them safe from the underworld. |
Where they part company is in the specific wording of the translations, but they all convey the same essential actions of sending, healing, and delivering.
The sentence has one main clause and two subordinate clauses that detail the actions taken by God.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׁלַח
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 107:20
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Deliverance and Healinggenerated
Psalm 107:20 reflects on how God responds to the cries of those in distress by sending His word to heal and rescue them from destruction. This verse is part of a larger psalm that recounts the various ways God delivers His people from trouble, emphasizing His mercy and power. The psalmist encourages gratitude for God's wonders and loving kindness.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 147:15–19 | He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly. |
| 2 | 2 Kings 20:4–5 | Before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, |
| 3 | Matthew 8:8 | The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. |
| 4 | Psalm 30:2–3 | O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. |
| 5 | Psalm 103:3–4 | He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שָׁלַח, shalachgenerated
The verb שָׁלַח (shalach) means 'to send' and is a primitive root with a broad application. It can refer to sending someone away, stretching out a hand, or letting go. In this verse, it indicates God's action in sending His word to bring healing and deliverance.
This verb is in the imperfect tense, suggesting a continuous or ongoing action. The use of this form emphasizes God's active role in healing and rescuing His people, as He dispatches His divine message to restore them.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses sent forth and healed, consistent with the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יִשְׁלַ֣ח (yishlach), meaning 'He sent,' governs the entire verse. It is followed by a noun phrase indicating what was sent, a clause describing the healing action, and a clause indicating the deliverance from destruction.
The structure emphasizes the sequence of actions: God sends His word, which leads to healing and rescue, showcasing the interconnectedness of these divine interventions.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שָׁלַח as ἀπέστειλεν, indicating a direct correspondence in meaning — 'He sent.' This choice reflects a similar understanding of God's action in delivering His people.
The Greek word used for 'healed' is ἰάσατο, which also conveys the idea of restoration, aligning with the Hebrew meaning of healing and mending.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 107:20 tells us that God sent His word to heal people and rescue them from destruction. This verse highlights God's power to save and restore those who are in trouble, reminding us of His mercy and love.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God communicated His divine message, which has the power to heal and deliver those in distress.
The verse emphasizes that God's word is not just a message but an active force that brings healing and restoration to those who are suffering.
The deliverance refers to being rescued from destruction or peril, highlighting God's ability to save His people from dire situations.
We can trust in God's word for healing and deliverance in our own lives, knowing that He has the power to restore us in times of trouble.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to trust God's word for healing?
- How can I share the message of God's deliverance with others?
- What does it mean for me to rely on God's word in times of distress?
- How can I express gratitude for the ways God has rescued me?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers referenced this psalm to discuss God's healing and deliverance, highlighting the significance of His word in the life of believers.
Now among the Greeks I know there was only one Phaedon, not a second, and one Polemon, who devoted themselves to philosophy, after a licentious and most wicked life.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 107 →
Becoming confused by his efforts to accuse us, Celsus contradicts himself, appearing at one time to know a person “without sin” and “a righteous individual who can look up to God [adorned] with virtue from the beginning.” At another time…Early Church Fathers on Psalms 107 →
For, if it would be unreasonable to suppose that the unbegotten and immutable substance of God the Almighty was changed into the form of man and, in turn,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 107 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 107:20 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe sent his word, and healed them,.... It was his will and pleasure they should be healed, and accordingly they were; he issued his orders for the removal of the affliction, and it was done; diseases
Read John Gill on Psalms 107 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. He sent his word, and healed them. "His word" is His swift and omnipotent instrument sent forth to do His bidding.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 107 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHis word; his command, or his blessing, which came with power.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 107 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered [them] from their destructions.Ver. 20. He sent his word, and healed them] He commanded deliverance, and it was done; unless there he an allusion to the essential Word, who was afterwards to take flesh, and to heal the diseased. And delivered them from their destructions] Heb. from their corrupting pits or graves, which do now even gape for them. And he calleth them theirs, quia per peccatum foderunt eas, saith Kimchi, because by their sin themselves have digged them.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 107 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(20) He sent His word.—In history (see Psalms 105:19), as in the natural world (Psalms 147:18), God’s word is His messenger. (Comp. Isaiah 55:10-11.) Destructions.—This follows the LXX., who derive as in Psalms 103:4. A better derivation, however, gives “pits,” either with metaphorical allusion to the “depths” of suffering, or literally, of the “graves” to which the sufferers had drawn near.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 107 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 20. He sent his word, and healed them] He spoke: "Be thou clean, be thou whole;" and immediately the disease departed; and thus they were delivered from the destructions that awaited them.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 107 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges20. He sent &c.] R.V. sendeth … healeth … delivereth. Jehovah’s word is here almost personified as a delivering angel. It is His messenger (Psalms 147:15; Psalms 147:18), which performs His will (Isaiah 55:11; cp. Psalms 9:8). It is His instrument in His dealings with men (Psalms 105:19) as well as in the work of creation (Psalms 33:6). Such passages prepare the way for the use in the Targums of the periphrasis ‘the Word of Jehovah’ (Mçmrâ or Dibbûrâ) for Jehovah in His intercourse with men; and for the fuller revelation of the personal Word, the Logos (John 1:1). In connexion with this thought, it should be noted that in Job 33:23 the restoration of the sick man to health of mind and body…
Read Cambridge on Psalms 107 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe sent his word, and healed them - He did it by a word; it was necessary for him merely to give a command, and the disease left them.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 107 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit.
He sends his word, and heals them, and delivers them from their graves.
He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit.
He sent them an assuring word and healed them; he rescued them from the pits where they were trapped.
Tyndale line
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
He sendeth his word, and healeth them, And delivereth them from their destructions.
He sendeth his word, and healeth them, and delivereth them from their destructions.
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
He sendeth his worde and healeth them, and deliuereth them from their graues.
Strictly literal
He sendeth his word, and healeth them, and delivereth them from their destructions.
He sendeth His word and healeth them, And delivereth from their destructions.
He sends His word and heals them, || And delivers [them] from their destructions.
He sendeth his word and healeth them, and delivereth them from their graves.
He sent his word and healed them, and he rescued them from their destruction.
Simplified
He gave the command and he healed them; he saved them from the grave.
He sent his word and made them well, and kept them safe from the underworld.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads, "יִשְׁלַ֣ח דְּ֭בָרוֹ וְיִרְפָּאֵ֑ם וִֽ֝ימַלֵּ֗ט מִשְּׁחִיתוֹתָֽם׃" The Septuagint's word-by-word correspondence indicates that four out of the five words match the Masoretic Text, although the Greek translation has its own word order and articles. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q88) contain a similar text, with all five key words present, but the manuscript is fragmentary, and some words are supplied by an editor. Overall, the witnesses largely agree with the Masoretic Text, confirming the essence of the verse regarding healing and rescue from destruction.
יִשְׁלַ֣ח דְּ֭בָרוֹ וְיִרְפָּאֵ֑ם וִֽ֝ימַלֵּ֗ט מִשְּׁחִיתוֹתָֽם׃
4 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[ישלח] [דבר׳ו] [וירפא׳ם] [וימלט] [משחיתות׳ם]
nothing on the leather here — 5 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 107:20
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word שָׁלַח (shalach) is a primitive root meaning 'to send' with a wide range of applications. It can refer to sending away, stretching out (especially a hand), or letting go. The entries indicate various forms, including sending off, casting out, and setting free. Notably, it can also imply divorce or being sent away in a marital context.
שָׁלַח 814 vb. send
Qal
send: human subj.
send: subj. י׳ (God)
stretch out, esp. acc. hand
rarely send away: human subj.
let loose
Niph. letters were sent
Pi.
send off, away, human subj.
send away, subj. י׳
give over
cast out
send out, forth
let go, set free
shoot forth branches
let down
shoot
Phrases
Pu. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
Hiph. and I (י׳) will send
base
H7971 שָׁלַח send .. send: human subj.
. send: subj. י׳ (God)
. stretch out, esp. acc. hand
. rarely send away: human subj.
. let loose
. letters were sent
. . send off, away, human subj.
. . send away, subj. י׳
. give over
. cast out
. send out, forth
. let go, set free
. shoot forth branches
. let down
. shoot
. Phrases
. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
. and I (י׳) will send
7971 shalach shaw-lakh'
a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great
variety of applications):--X any wise, appoint, bring (on the
way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give
(up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose),
push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send
(away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread,
stretch forth (out).
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: depart.
: depart/send
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled
1e) (Hiphil) to send
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: let go.
: let_go/free
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
דָּבָר (dabar) means 'word' or 'speech' and encompasses a range of meanings including discourse, saying, and matter. It can refer to anything spoken or a topic of discussion, extending to concepts like business or affairs. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word
sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
sg. a word, words
sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
base
H1697 דָּבָר speech, word . sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
. sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
. sg. a word, words
. sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
1697 dabar daw-baw'
from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or
thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X
any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case,
cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X
commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, +
dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, +
eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt,
+ iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter,
message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +
please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose,
question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said,
sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness),
somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that,
X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings,
what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.
see HEBREW for 01696
דָּבָר (da.var) — word.
: word/speech/command
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.
: speaking
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.
: thing/matter
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.
: promised/duty
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.
: deed
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
רָפָא (rapha') is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to heal' or 'to mend.' It covers various forms, including healing by God, physicians, and figurative healing of nations or individuals. The verb has different stems indicating active healing, being healed, and healing in order to be healed. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.
רָפָא vb. heal
Qal heal
Niph. be healed
Pi. have healed, heal
Hithp. in order to get healed
base
H7495 רָפָא heal
7495 rapha' raw-faw'
or raphah {raw-faw'}; a primitive root; properly, to mend (by
stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure:--cure, (cause to)
heal, physician, repair, X thoroughly, make whole. See 7503.
see HEBREW for 07503
רָפָא (ra.pah) — to heal.
1) to heal, make healthful
1a) (Qal) to heal
1a1) of God
1a2) healer, physician (of men)
1a3) of hurts of nations involving restored favour (fig)
1a4) of individual distresses (fig)
1b) (Niphal) to be healed
1b1) literal (of persons)
1b2) of water, pottery
1b3) of national hurts (fig)
1b4) of personal distress (fig)
1c) (Piel) to heal
1c1) literal
1c2) of national defects or hurts (fig)
1d) (Hithpael) in order to get healed (infinitive)
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Conjunction · verb qal third person masculine singular · suffixHC/Vqu3ms/Sp3mp
מָלַט (malat) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning to escape or slip away. It encompasses various nuances such as delivering, saving, and even giving birth in specific contexts. The entries indicate that it can refer to both physical escape and the act of laying eggs. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
[מָלַט] vb. slip away (not in Qal)
Niph.
slip away
escape
pass. be delivered
Pi.
lay (eggs)
let escape
deliver
Hiph.
give birth to a male child
deliver
Hithp.
slip forth, escape (sparks of fire from jaws of crocodile)
escape
base
H4422 מָלַט slip away . . slip away
. escape
. pass. be delivered
. . lay (eggs)
. let escape
. deliver
. . give birth to a male child
. deliver
. . slip forth, escape (sparks of fire from jaws of crocodile)
. escape
4422 malat maw-lat'
a primitive root; properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by
implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively,
to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit
sparks:--deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone,
let go, preserve, save, X speedily, X surely.
מָלַט (ma.lat) — to escape.
1) to slip away, escape, deliver, save, be delivered
1a)(Niphal)
1a1) to slip away
1a2) to escape
1a3) to be delivered
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to lay, let slip out (of eggs)
1b2) to let escape
1b3) to deliver, save (life)
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to give birth to
1c2) to deliver
1d) (Hithpael)
1d1) to slip forth, slip out, escape
1d2) to escape
Conj | V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Conjunction · verb piel third person masculine singularHC/Vpu3ms
שְׁחִית (shchiyth) refers to a pit or a pit-fall, indicating destruction either literally or figuratively. It is derived from the root word for 'to destroy' and is used in contexts related to danger or demise.
[שְׁחִית] n.f. id. [v.cg.ab]
base
H7825 שְׁחִית
7825 shchiyth shekh-eeth'
from 7812; a pit-fall (literally or
figuratively):--destruction, pit.
see HEBREW for 07812
שְׁחִית (she.chit) — pit.
pit
Prep | N-fp | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp