Psalms 107:20 (KJV)

What does Psalms 107:20 mean?

Psalms 107:20 says that God sent out his word to heal people and rescue them from situations that would have destroyed them. The verse highlights God’s power to save and restore through his command or message.

The psalm is a song of thanksgiving, likely sung by people who had experienced trouble and then deliverance. In this verse, the speaker describes how God’s intervention—through his spoken word or command—brought healing and deliverance to those in desperate need. The focus is on God’s ability to act from a distance, simply by sending his word, to bring about real change and rescue.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 107:20

• "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach): This word means to send out or dispatch. Here, it emphasizes that God does not need to be physically present; his command alone is effective.
• "word" (דָּבָר, davar): Often means a spoken command, message, or decree. In this context, it highlights the power and authority of what God says to accomplish healing and deliverance.
• "healed" (רָפָא, rapha): This word means to make healthy or restore. It can refer to physical, emotional, or spiritual healing, showing the broad scope of God’s restoration.
• "delivered" (מָלַט, malat): Means to rescue or save from danger. The focus is on being brought out of a life-threatening or destructive situation.
• "destructions" (שְׁחִיתָה, shechitah): Refers to pits, traps, or things that cause ruin. It paints a picture of people being saved from situations that would have led to their downfall.

Why Psalms 107:20 matters

• This verse clarifies that God’s word itself is powerful and effective, not just his physical actions or presence.
• It connects to the larger theme of Psalms 107, where people cry out in trouble and God responds with rescue, showing his faithfulness to those who seek him.
• The verse emphasizes that healing and deliverance can come in many forms—physical, emotional, or spiritual—and that God’s intervention addresses all kinds of human need.