Such as sit in darkness - The reference in these verses Psalms 107:10-14 is evidently to the children of Israel, when in Babylon; and the design is, to show the goodness of God to them in their trouble, and the occasion which they had for praising him on that account. To “sit in darkness” is significant of great ignorance (compare the notes at Luke 1:79; notes at Isaiah 9:2); or of affliction and trouble, as darkness is an emblem of calamity.
And in the shadow of death - A dark, gloomy, chilly shade such as “Death” would cast if he stood between us and the light. See the notes at Job 3:5; compare Job 10:21; Psalms 23:4; Psalms 44:19; Isaiah 9:2. The reference is to the sad and gloomy residence of the Hebrews in the land of captivity.
Being bound in affliction and iron - Captives and slaves. Compare Psalms 105:18.