\\INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 107\\

This psalm, from its style, and from its connection with the
preceding psalms, seems to have been written by David. The two
foregoing psalms respect the children of Israel; this is generally
thought to concern all mankind, and its view to assert a general
providence which attends all, in whatsoever condition and
circumstance; and to encourage men in their distresses to cry unto
the Lord. According to Kimchi, Aben Ezra, and others, four sorts of
persons are mentioned, travellers through a wilderness, prisoners,
sick persons, and such who use the seas; to which some add a fifth,
husbandmen; these are instanced in, not to the exclusion of others,
but from them it may be concluded that whatsoever state or condition
persons may be in, they are known and taken notice of by the Lord,
and are relieved by him when they call upon him. Some restrain the
whole to the Israelites, as the Targum, R. Obadiah, Arama, and
others, where they make any application; and others apply the psalm
to New Testament times; and indeed, though the literal sense should
be attended unto and preserved, yet it seems to be applicable to
spiritual persons and things. The title of it in the Syriac version
is pretty remarkable,

``it is said concerning Joab and Abiah the sons of Samuel, who
recited the commandments of the Lord. God gathered the Jews
out of captivity, and brought them out from Babylon. Also the
only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, gathered the Gentiles
from the four corners of the world, by preaching to baptism.''