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Day 183

Psalm 107:10 "Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death..."

Day 183 – Psalm 107

“Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death…” Psalm 107:10

IN THE DIASPORA

What did it feel like to be displaced and be found in a hostile foreign land? The following text describes how the captives felt.

“Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
Bound in affliction and irons-”
Psalm 107:10

1. A description of great sadness is recorded.

2. Four features are highlighted:-

a) “(They)… sat in darkness”
i) Literal
ii) Symbolic and spiritual (Isaiah 9:1-2)
b) “And in the shadow of death”
i) Death always seems close at hand.
ii) Hence the phrase… “shadow of death”.
iii) There was no guarantee that death would not strike at will.
iv) The sense of foreboding is very real.
c) “Bound in affliction”
i) Affliction because they were captives.
ii) Affliction because it was hard to make a living.
iii) Affliction because few sympathized with them.
iv) Affliction was especially hard on the women and children.
d) “And irons”
i) Some were put in irons.
ii) This may be a reference to being made slaves.

These were often put in chains awaiting buyers. This was bitter affliction for those in the diaspora.