Psalms 107:41 — Word Study
WLCוַיְשַׂגֵּ֣ב אֶבְי֣וֹן מֵע֑וֹנִי וַיָּ֥שֶׂם כַּ֝צֹּ֗אן מִשְׁפָּחֽוֹת׃
BSABut He liftssâgab▸ [exalts, lifts up] the needyʼebyôwn [poor, oppressed, in need of help] from afflictionʻŏnîy [misery, trouble, hardship] and increasessûwm▸ their familiesmishpâchâh [clans, tribes] like flockstsôʼn [a flock of sheep, multitude]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיְשַׂגֵּ֣ב | and he set on high | Verb, Piel, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אֶבְי֣וֹן | [the] needy | Adj |
| מֵע֑וֹנִי | from affliction | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וַיָּ֥שֶׂם | and he made | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| כַּ֝צֹּ֗אן | like flock | Preposition, noun common both singular absolute |
| מִשְׁפָּחֽוֹת׃ | families | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | But He lifts the needy from affliction and increases their families like flocks. |
| KJV | Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock. |
| ASV | Yet setteth he the needy on high from affliction, And maketh him families like a flock. |
| YLT | And setteth on high the needy from affliction, And placeth families as a flock. |
| WEB | Yet he lifts the needy out of their affliction, and increases their families like a flock. |
| BBE | But he puts the poor man on high from his troubles, and gives him families like a flock. |
The translations agree here, reflecting a consistent understanding of the Hebrew terms.
Two main clauses connected by 'and', showing God's dual action of lifting and increasing.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Poole, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׂגַב
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 107:41
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 of the Needygenerated
Psalms 107:41 describes how God intervenes to uplift those in need, contrasting His actions with the contempt He pours on the proud. This verse is part of a larger theme in the psalm that celebrates God's faithfulness to the oppressed and His ability to transform their circumstances, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 113:7–8 | He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the dump |
| 2 | Ruth 4:14–17 | Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a kinsman-redeemer. May his name become famous in Israel. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 2:8 | 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. |
| 4 | Esther 8:15–17 | Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. |
| 5 | Job 5:11 | He sets the lowly on high, so that mourners are lifted to safety. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 19 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שָׂגַב, vay.sa.Gevgenerated
The verb שָׂגַב (sagab) means to exalt or set on high. It conveys the idea of lifting someone up to a place of safety and strength, often associated with God's protective nature. This word emphasizes the divine act of raising the needy from their lowly state.
In this verse, the Piel form indicates a deliberate action by God, highlighting His role as the one who actively elevates the needy from their affliction. The concept of exaltation here is linked to God's mercy and compassion.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יְשַׂגֵּ֣ב governs the verse, with two clauses following it: one describing the action of lifting the needy, and the other indicating what God does with their families. The structure emphasizes God's active role in both uplifting individuals and expanding their families.
The second verb יָּ֥שֶׂם indicates a subsequent action, showing how God not only lifts but also establishes families like flocks, which conveys a sense of community and abundance.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, שָׂגַב is rendered as ἐβοήθησεν, which means 'He helped.' This choice broadens the understanding of the Hebrew term, emphasizing God's assistance to the needy.
The Greek translation captures the essence of God's action, focusing on His role as a helper, which aligns with the overarching theme of divine deliverance.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 107:41 tells us that God lifts the needy from their troubles and increases their families like flocks. This verse highlights God's compassion and care for those who are vulnerable, showing His ability to transform their lives.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies God's intervention in the lives of those who are suffering, providing them with relief and support.
This metaphor illustrates God's ability to bless the needy with abundance and community, similar to how flocks signify prosperity.
It emphasizes God's attention to the vulnerable and His commitment to helping those in desperate situations.
We learn that God is compassionate and actively works to uplift those who are in need.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's lifting hand in my own life?
- How can I support those who are needy or in affliction around me?
- What does it mean to me that God cares for the vulnerable?
- How can I reflect God's compassion in my actions towards others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early interpretations of this verse highlight God's care for the poor and His role in uplifting the needy, as seen in the writings of early church fathers.
"And He helped the poor out of beggary" [Psalms 107:41]. What means this, brethren? Princes are despised, and the poor helped.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 107 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 107:41 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleYet setteth he the poor on high from affliction,.... On the other hand, the Lord sometimes exalteth men of low degree, raiseth men of mean extract and parentage, who have made a poor figure in life,
Read John Gill on Psalms 107 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleYet setteth he the poor on high: and whilst he bringeth down great potentates, at the same time he advanceth those who were obscure and contemptible. Like a flock, which increase very much in a little time.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 107 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 107:41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh [him] families like a flock.Ver. 41. Yet setteth he the poor] The godly poor, as he did David. And maketh him families like a flock] Of sheep, which multiply exceedingly in a short time.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 107 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(41) Like a flock.—This figure of a rapid increase of population is also borrowed from Job 21:11.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 107 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 41. Yet setteth he the poor on high] This probably refers to the case of the Israelites and their restoration from captivity. But these are incidents which frequently occur, and mark the superintendence of a benign Providence, and the hand of a just God; and are applicable to a multitude of cases.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 107 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges41. And he set the needy on high from affliction, And made him families like a flock. There is no change of subject. The Psalmist is following the fortunes of those whom Jehovah has blessed with prosperity. Temporary reverses may happen to them, but He will not fail them in their need. Psalms 107:39 is virtually the protasis to Psalms 107:40, and the construction of Psa 107:40 is somewhat awkward, because it is a verbatim quotation from Job 12:21 a, 24 b, which the Psalmist has adopted without alteration. The princes are any tyrannous oppressors; God humbles their pride and confounds their counsels. The Psalmist probably has in mind the troubles of the returned exiles, and intends his words…
Read Cambridge on Psalms 107 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleYet setteth he the poor on high from affliction - Margin, “after.” The sense is not materially different.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 107 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible41. Like a flock—Meaning numerous and merry. See Job 21:11
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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
But He lifts the needy from affliction and increases their families like flocks.
Yet he lifts the needy out of their affliction, and increases their families like a flock.
But He lifts the needy from affliction and increases their families like flocks.
Yet he protected the needy from oppression, and cared for his families like a flock of sheep.
Tyndale line
Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
Yet setteth he the needy on high from affliction, And maketh him families like a flock.
Yet setteth he the needy on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
Yet he setteth the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
Yet he raiseth vp the poore out of miserie, and maketh him families like a flocke of sheepe.
Strictly literal
But he secureth the needy one on high from affliction, and maketh [him] families like flocks.
And setteth on high the needy from affliction, And placeth families as a flock.
And sets the needy on high from affliction, || And places families as a flock.
And he exalteth the needy from misery, and maketh [his] families like flocks.
But he protects the needy from affliction and cares for his families like a flock.
Simplified
But he lifts the poor out of their troubles, and makes their families as big as flocks.
But he puts the poor man on high from his troubles, and gives him families like a flock.
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 and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all six words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain a partial restoration but align with the Masoretic Text in meaning, indicating consistency across these ancient witnesses.
וַיְשַׂגֵּ֣ב אֶבְי֣וֹן מֵע֑וֹנִי וַיָּ֥שֶׂם כַּ֝צֹּ֗אן מִשְׁפָּחֽוֹת׃
6 of the 6 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.
[וישגב] אביון בעני עלו כצאן [משפחות]
3 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 2 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 107:41
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.
שָׂגַב (sagab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be high or exalted, often in an inaccessible way. It conveys a sense of safety and strength, used both literally and figuratively. The word appears in various forms, indicating actions like setting something securely on high or being too high for capture, and is associated with God's exalted nature.
[שָׂגַב] vb. be (inaccessibly) high
Qal
of city, be (too) high for capture
be high in prosperity
Niph.
be high
be (safely) set on high
be exalted
Pi.
set (securely) on high
exalt
Pu. be set (securely) on high
Hiph. God acts exaltedly
base
H7682 שָׂגַב be (inaccessibly) high .. of city, be (too) high for capture
. be high in prosperity
. . be high
. be (safely) set on high
. be exalted
. . set (securely) on high
. exalt
. be set (securely) on high
. God acts exaltedly
7682 sagab saw-gab'
a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) lofty, especially
inaccessible; by implication, safe, strong; used literally and
figuratively --defend, exalt, be excellent, (be, set on) high,
lofty, be safe, set up (on high), be too strong.
שָׂגַב (sa.gav) — to exalt.
1) to be high, be inaccessibly high
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be (too) high (for capture)
1a2) to be high (of prosperity)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be high
1b2) to be set on high, be (safely) set on high
1b3) to be exalted (of God)
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to set on high, set (securely) on high
1c2) to exalt, exalt (in effective hostility)
1d) (Pual) to be set (securely) on high
1e) (Hiphil) to act exaltedly
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vpw3ms
The Hebrew word אֶבְיוֹן (*ebyown*) means needy or poor, derived from a root indicating want. It describes individuals who are destitute, oppressed, or in need of help, particularly from God. This term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, often referring to the lowest social class and the importance of caring for such individuals.
אֶבְיוֹן adj. in want, needy, poor,—so, alw. abs., Dt 15:4 + 40 t.; אֶבְיֹנְךָ Ex 23:6 Dt 15:11; אֶבְיוֹנִים Am 4:1 + 14 t.; אֶבְיוֹנֵי (אֶבְיֹנֵי) Ex 23:11 Is 29:19; אֶבְיוֹנֶיהָ ψ 132:15—(Hex. only JED; mostly poet., 23 t. ψ) needy, chiefly poor (in material things); as adj. Dt 15:7, 7, 9; 24:14 ψ 109:16 (both ∥ עָנִי); elsewhere subst.; ψ 49:3 (∥ עָשִׁיר); Dt 15:4, 11; subj. to oppression & abuse Am 2:6…
Read the full entry →H34 אֶבְיוֹן in want, needy, poor
34 'ebyown eb-yone'
from 14, in the sense of want (especially in feeling);
destitute:--beggar, needy, poor (man).
see HEBREW for 014
אֶבְיוֹן (ev.yon) — needy.
1) in want, needy, chiefly poor, needy person
2) subject to oppression and abuse
3) needing help, deliverance from trouble, especially as delivered by God
4) general reference to lowest class
Adj — AdjHAamsa
ned'-i ('ebhyon).
See POOR.
עֳנִי (oniy) refers to affliction, poverty, and misery. It is derived from the root word עָנָה (H6031), which relates to depression or trouble. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to suffering and hardship.
עֳנִי n.m. affliction, poverty
base
H6040 עֳנִי affliction, poverty
6040 `oniy on-ee'
from 6031; depression, i.e. misery: --afflicted(-ion),
trouble.
see HEBREW for 06031
עֳנִי (o.ni) — affliction.
1) affliction, poverty, misery
1a) affliction
1b) poverty
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
a-flik'-shun: Represents no fewer than 11 Hebrew words in the Old Testament, and 3 Greek words in the New Testament, of which the most common are (oni), (thlipsis). It is used
(1) actively = that which causes or tends to cause bodily pain or mental distress, as "the bread of affliction" (De 16:3; 2Ch 18:26); often in plural, as "Many are the afflictions of the righteous" (Ps 34:19);
(2) passively = the state of being in pain or trouble, as "to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction" (Jas 1:27).
The following are the chief forms of affliction referred to:
The Hebrew word שׂוּם (sum) is a verb meaning to put, place, or set, with a wide range of applications including appointing, establishing, and making. It can also refer to laying something upon or directing it. There is a related noun שׂוּמָה (sumah), which may denote a token of unluckiness. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.
שׂוּם, שִׂים 582 vb. put, place, set
Qal
put, set, in a place
put something upon
put, lay, set
put, c. בֵּין
set, direct
set, ordain, in a place
set, establish a law, statute
set, found a nation
set, appoint (as ruler, official)
set, constitute, make
set, determine, fix, bounds
set, station, at a post
put in position, sacred bread, sword, staves, bars
set up altars
= plant, wheat
set, fix (countenance)
make a thing, or pers. (acc.), for, transform into
make, constitute
work, bring to pass
appoint, give
set, fix (countenance)
Hiph. I will make him for a sign
Hoph. there was set before him
base
שׂוּמָה perhaps n. f. token of unluckiness, scowl;—2 S 13:32
ref
H7760a שׂוּם, שִׂים put, place, set .. . put, set, in a place
. put something upon
. put, lay, set
. put, c. בֵּין
. set, direct
. . set, ordain, in a place
. set, establish a law, statute
. set, found a nation
. set, appoint (as ruler, official)
. set, constitute, make
. set, determine, fix, bounds
. . set, station, at a post
. put in position, sacred bread, sword, staves, bars
. set up altars
. = plant, wheat
. set, fix (countenance)
. . make a thing, or pers. (acc.), for, transform into
. make, constitute
. work, bring to pass
. appoint, give
. set, fix (countenance)
. I will make him for a sign
. there was set before him
H7760b שׂוּמָה perhaps n. f. token of unluckiness, scowl
7760 suwm soom
or siym {seem}; a primitive root; to put (used in a great
variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially,
and elliptically):--X any wise, appoint, bring, call (a
name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider,
convey, determine, + disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap
up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out),
mark, + name, X on, ordain, order, + paint, place, preserve,
purpose, put (on), + regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set
(on, up), shew, + stedfastly, take, X tell, + tread down,
((over-))turn, X wholly, work.
שׂוּם (sum) — to set: make.
: make/establish
1) to put, place, set, appoint, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on
1a2) to set, direct, direct toward
1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig)
1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix
1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix
1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give
1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign
1c) (Hophal) to be set
שׂוּמָה (su.mah) — fate.
token of unluckiness, scowl
שׂוּם (sum) — to set: put.
: put/give
1) to put, place, set, appoint, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on
1a2) to set, direct, direct toward
1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig)
1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
צֹאן (tso'n) refers to small cattle, specifically sheep and goats, and is used to denote a flock or flocks. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a multitude. The term appears in contexts such as Psalm 144:13, where it emphasizes the collective nature of these animals.
צֹאן 273 n.coll.f. small cattle, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
base
H6629 צֹאן small cattle, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
6629 tso'n tsone
or tsaown (Psalm 144:13) {tseh-one'}; from an unused root
meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or
goats); also figuratively (of men):--(small) cattle, flock
(+ -s), lamb (+ -s), sheep((-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds)).
צֹאן (tson) — flock.
1) small cattle, sheep, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
1a) small cattle (usually of sheep and goats)
1b) of multitude (simile)
1c) of multitude (metaphor)
צֹאן (tson) — Sheep (Gate).
This name means sheep and goats
Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common both singular absoluteHRd/Ncbsa
See CATTLE.
מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah) refers to a clan or family, encompassing a circle of relatives and extending to tribes or peoples. It can also denote a class of persons, species of animals, or kinds of things. The entries highlight its various uses, including guilds and aristocrats, but do not present any significant disagreement.
מִשְׁפָּחָה 303 n.f. clan
clan
= guild
= species, kind
pl. = aristocrats
base
H4940 מִשְׁפָּחָה clan . clan
. = guild
. = species, kind
. pl. = aristocrats
4940 mishpachah mish-paw-khaw'
from 8192 (compare 8198); a family, i.e. circle of relatives;
figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or
sort (of things); by extens. a tribe or people:--family,
kind(-red).
see HEBREW for 08192
see HEBREW for 08198
מִשְׁפָּחָה (mish.pa.chah) — family.
1) clan, family
1a) clan
1a1) family
1a2) tribe
1a3) people, nation
1b) guild
1c) species, kind
1d) aristocrats
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
- Of saints blessed
- SHOULD
. Be taught the Scriptures
De 4:9,10
. Worship God together
. Be duly regulated
. Live in unity
. Live in mutual forbearance
Ge 50:17-21; Mt 18:21,22
. Rejoice together before God
- Deceivers and liars should be removed from