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The central pair of pictures deal more definitely with types of sin. We have the
"rebel" and the "fool". The rebellion is against "the words of God". The folly is by
reason of transgression and iniquity. In the one case it leads to bondage:--
"Being bound in affliction and iron" (verse 10);
in the other it leads to death:--
"They draw near to the gates of death" (verse 18).
Here we have in picture form a faint presentation of the inner teaching of
Rom. 5:-8:, which deals with the dominion of sin and death:--
"He brake their bands in sunder" (Psa. 107: 14).
"He sent His word, and healed them" (Psa. 107: 20).
Strictly, this sentence reads in the present tense:--
"He sendeth His word and healeth them",
in harmony with the change of tense from "they cried" to "they cry".
The structure of this series must follow the internal indication of doctrine and is set
out as follows:--
Psa. 107:
A | 4-7.
Type.--WILDERNESS.
Meaning.--The soul seeking fellowship.
Extremity.--Their soul fainteth. Then they cried.
Answer.--Soul satisfied.
B | 10-12. Type.--REBEL.
Meaning.--Bondage and dominion of sin.
Extremity.--None to help. Then they cried.
Answer.--Bands broken in sunder.
B | 17-20. Type.--FOOLS.
Meaning.--effect of transgression.--"death."
Extremity.--Draw near to death. Then they cry.
Answer.--Healed and delivered.
A | 23-30. Type.--MARINERS.
Meaning.--The believer seeking home.
Extremity.--Wit's end. Then they cry.
Answer.--Their desired haven.
In both sets A and B the alteration of "cried" and "cry" occur. Whether we be
passively "lost" or actively "rebels", whether we be actively "fools" or passively at out
"wit's end", let us cry, and then when deliverance has come:--
"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so."