Psalms 107:16 (KJV)

What does Psalms 107:16 mean?

Psalms 107:16 says that God has broken through strong barriers—described as gates of brass and bars of iron—to set people free. The verse uses the image of breaking metal gates and cutting iron bars to show God’s power to rescue from situations that seem impossible to escape.

This verse is part of a psalm where the writer, speaking to the gathered people of Israel, describes how God delivers those who are in trouble or captivity. The language points to God’s ability to overcome the strongest obstacles, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, and highlights God’s role as a rescuer throughout Israel’s history.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 107:16

• "broken" (שָׁבַר, shavar): This word often means to shatter or smash, emphasizing a complete destruction of the gates, not just opening them.
• "gates" (דֶּלֶת, delet): Refers to large, fortified doors, usually of a city or prison, suggesting strong defenses that keep people trapped.
• "brass" (נְחוּשָׁה, nechosha): This word can mean bronze or copper, both used for strong, protective barriers in ancient times.
• "bars" (בְּרִיחַ, beriach): These are the crossbars that secure gates or doors, making escape impossible unless they are removed.
• "iron" (בַּרְזֶל, barzel): Iron was the strongest metal known to the ancient world, so cutting through iron bars shows overcoming the toughest resistance.
• "cut" and "sunder" (גָּדַע, gada): This word means to cut off or hew down, stressing the forceful removal of obstacles.

Why Psalms 107:16 matters

• The verse clears up the idea that no barrier—no matter how strong—can keep God from rescuing those in need, which would have been especially meaningful to people who had experienced captivity or oppression.
• The strong imagery connects to earlier stories in Israel’s history, such as the Exodus or the return from exile, where God’s intervention broke through literal and figurative prisons.
• This line is part of a pattern in Psalm 107, where each section describes a desperate situation and then God’s powerful deliverance, helping readers see a repeated theme of hope and rescue.