Psalms 107:18 (KJV)

What does Psalms 107:18 mean?

Psalms 107:18 describes people who have become so distressed or sick that their very soul rejects all kinds of food, and they come close to dying. The verse paints a picture of extreme suffering that brings someone to the brink of death.

The psalm is recounting the troubles faced by different groups of people and how desperate situations led them to cry out to God. In this verse, the focus is on those who are physically or emotionally afflicted, so much so that even the thought of eating is unbearable, and their lives hang by a thread.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 107:18

• "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh): This word often means a person's life, self, or inner being. Here, it emphasizes that the suffering is not just physical but deeply affects the whole person.
• "abhorreth" (תָּעַב, taʿav): This verb means to loathe or detest. It shows a strong, almost instinctive rejection, not just a mild dislike.
• "meat" (אֹכֶל, okhel): This word simply means food, not just meat as in flesh. The verse is saying all kinds of food are rejected, not just one type.
• "gates" (שַׁעַר, shaʿar): In ancient times, city gates represented the entrance to important places, including the realm of the dead. Here, "gates of death" is a vivid image for being close to dying.
• "death" (מָוֶת, mavet): This is the standard word for death, reinforcing the seriousness of their condition.

Why Psalms 107:18 matters

• The verse clarifies that the suffering described is both physical and deeply personal, affecting the whole self, not just the body.
• By using the image of "the gates of death," the psalm connects personal distress to a broader biblical theme of being saved from the brink of destruction.
• This verse is part of a pattern in Psalm 107, where people in desperate situations reach a low point before calling out to God for help, showing a cycle of trouble, prayer, and deliverance.