“He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.”
My Notes
What Does Psalms 107:38 Mean?
"He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease." God's blessing produces multiplication — the people increase and their livestock doesn't diminish. The verse describes comprehensive prosperity: human population growth and agricultural stability. Both are attributed directly to God's action — he blesses (causing increase) and he suffers not (preventing decrease). The growth isn't accidental, and the stability isn't coincidental.
The pairing of increase and non-decrease captures the full picture of divine provision: God both adds to what you have and protects what you already have. Growth without protection is fragile. Protection without growth is stagnation. God provides both.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Which do you pray for more — increase or protection — and do you need both?
- 2.Where has God been preventing decrease in your life that you haven't noticed?
- 3.How does the 'cattle' detail teach about God's concern for practical, material provision?
- 4.What would it look like to trust God with both the growth and the protection simultaneously?
Devotional
Multiplied greatly. Cattle not decreasing. God works both sides of the equation: he adds and he protects. He grows what you have and he prevents what you have from shrinking. Both at the same time.
Most of us focus on one or the other. We pray for increase — more resources, more opportunities, more growth. Or we pray for protection — don't let me lose what I have. God does both simultaneously. The blessing multiplies. The suffering-not prevents decrease. Your life is being expanded and guarded in the same breath.
The cattle detail is earthy and practical. In the ancient world, your cattle were your savings account, your food supply, and your social security. God doesn't just bless with spiritual increase. He protects practical resources. He cares about your livestock — which in modern terms means he cares about your bank account, your pantry, and your retirement. The spiritual and the material aren't separate categories for God.
He suffers not their cattle to decrease. The negative formulation is important: God actively prevents loss. It's not that loss just doesn't happen. God intervenes to stop it. The cattle don't decrease because God won't let them. The protection is active, intentional, ongoing.
If you've been praying for increase, add a prayer for protection. If you've been praying for protection, add a prayer for increase. God handles both. He multiplies greatly and prevents decrease. And the combination of growth plus preservation is the full picture of what blessing looks like.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction,.... On the other hand, the Lord sometimes exalteth men of low degree,…
He blesseth them also - In the manner immediately specified. So that they are multiplied greatly - This was regarded as…
The psalmist, having given God the glory of the providential reliefs granted to persons in distress, here gives him the…
Cross References
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