Psalms 107:16

Psa 107:16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

Ver. 16. For he hath broken the gates of brass] If Samson could do so, how much more the Almighty, whom nothing can withstand! Nature may be stopped in her course, as when the fire burned not. Men may not be able to do as they would. Angels, good or bad, may be hindered, because in them there is an essence and an executive power, between which God can step at his pleasure, and interpose his veto; but who or what shall hinder the Most High?

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

When there seemeth to man’s judgment no recovery, but all things are brought to despair, then God chiefly showeth his mighty power.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Verse 16. For he hath broken] This is the reason given for thanks to God for his deliverance of the captives. It was not a simple deliverance; it was done so as to manifest the irresistible power of God. He tore the prison in pieces, and cut the bars of iron asunder.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(16) Isa_45:2 was present to the poet’s mind.

Virgil’s picture of the shrine of war (Æn. vii. 607) has been compared to this.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

16. The prophecy of Isa_45:2 has been fulfilled. The land of exile was represented as a vast and strong fortress-prison.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble,.... A time of affliction is a time of trouble, and a proper season for prayer; and by it persons are brought to the throne of grace, when humbled under the mighty hand of God, to seek for relief. Hezekiah in his affliction prayed to the Lord, though Asa sought to the physicians only, and not to the Lord; this is to be understood of such who are convinced of their folly, brought to a sense of sin and danger, and therefore cry to the Lord for his sparing mercy, and pardoning grace.

And he saveth them out of their distresses: their afflictions, which were distressing to them, by removing their disorders and restoring them to health again; as follows.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

For he hath broken the gates of brass - The immediate “reason” here given for praising the Lord is that he had “broken the gates of brass,” continuing the thought from Psa 107:10-14. In the previous part of the psalm, in giving a reason for praising the Lord, the fact that he feeds the hungry was selected Psa 107:9 because in the preceding part the allusion was to the sufferings of hunger and thirst Psa 107:4-5; here the fact that he had broken the gates of brass is selected, because the allusion in the immediately preceding verses Psa 107:12-14 was to their imprisonment. In the construction of the psalm there is great regularity. The “gates of brass” refer probably to Babylon; and the idea is, that their deliverance had been as if the brass gates of that great city had been broken down to give them free egress from their captivity. Thus the conquest of Babylon by Cyrus is announced in similar language: “I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron,” Isa 45:2. See the notes at that passage.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

He restored them to liberty in spite of all impediments and oppositions.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Ver. 16. For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of Zion in sunder. This verse belongs to that which precedes it, and Sums up the mercy experienced by captives. The Lord breaks the strongest gates and bars when the time comes to set free his prisoners: and spiritually the Lord Jesus has broken the most powerful of spiritual bonds and made us free indeed. Brass and iron are as tow before the flame of Jesus' love. The gates of hell shall not prevail against us, neither shall the bars of the grave detain us. Those of us who have experienced his redeeming power must and will praise the Lord for the wonders of his grace displayed on our behalf.

Psalms 107:17*

Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

16. Gates of brass—The allusion is to Isa_45:2, where the subject is the taking of Babylon, at which time the strategy of Cyrus, prince of Persia, and commander of the Median and Persian army, should succeed by the extraordinary circumstance of the brazen gates of the wall on the banks of Euphrates being left unbarred. What Isaiah thus predicted actually took place one hundred and sixty years later, (B.C. 544.) Dan_5:30-31; Herod. b. i, § 191

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For he hath broken the gates of brass. God completely liberates the un happy ones who turn to him; removes every restraint that confines and galls them; breaks on their behalf, as it were, "gates of brass." And cut the bars of iron in sunder. Snaps fetters and prison bars.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For He broke copper doors that were shut before them.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.