Psalm 107:38

Psalm 107:38, in plain English

God blesses them abundantly, their numbers multiply, their livestock multiplies, nothing diminishes—complete, overflowing blessing on every level.

Why it's here

The psalmist piles on the details of blessing. Population growth, animal herds, no losses, no famine years. This isn't subtle. It's saying: when God's people walk in His ways, blessing becomes comprehensive and visible. Everyone can see that something good is happening.

Who's speaking

The psalmist, describing the fullness of God's blessing.

Where it sits in the story

This echoes the promises God made to Abraham—that his descendants would be as numerous as stars, that his flocks would multiply. The Psalms keep reminding Israel of these covenant promises and what they look like when they're fulfilled. It's meant to inspire hope and loyalty.

The scholarly reading

God blesses the settled community, causing their population to multiply substantially while preserving their livestock from depletion—comprehensive demographic and economic flourishing.

Language and setting

The language 'multiply greatly' (יִרְבּוּ מְאֹד, yirbu me'od) and 'does not let their herds diminish' (וּבְהֶמְתָּם לֹא יַמְעִיט, uvehemtam lo yami't) employs the vocabulary of covenant blessing from Genesis 17:6 and Deuteronomy 8:13-14. The blessing encompasses both population growth and livestock prosperity—fundamental markers of security and abundance in agrarian societies.

Voice

The psalmist, articulating the comprehensive flourishing that constitutes covenantal blessing

Significance

This apex of the restoration cycle—prosperity, security, multiplied posterity—embodies the realization of promises made to Abraham and renewed through covenantal renewal. The passage moves from crisis to comprehensive well-being.

36He causes the hungry to settle there, that they may establish a city in which to dwell.

37They sow fields and plant vineyards that yield a fruitful harvest.

38He blesses them, and they multiply greatly; He does not let their herds diminish.

39When they are decreased and humbled by oppression, evil, and sorrow,

40He pours out contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

Read all of Psalm 107 — Four stories of people in trouble — lost, imprisoned, sick, storm-tossed. Each time they cry out. Each time God delivers. Let the redeemed say so.