תהלים, פרק ק״ז, פסוק ה׳

Desert travelers who lose their way face immediate, life-threatening danger. When setting out, they pack only enough food and water for the expected length of their journey. However, by wandering off the path, their time in the desolate wilderness is unexpectedly extended, causing their limited supplies to completely run out [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, המאירי]. This crisis becomes even worse because they have strayed far from any route leading to human settlement, leaving them trapped in a total wasteland [אלשיך].

The severity of their hunger and thirst mirrors the story of Hagar, who wandered hopelessly in the desert until her water skin ran completely dry [אבן עזרא]. This extreme deprivation takes a heavy toll on the travelers, leading to a complete physical and emotional collapse. This breakdown is understood in two main ways. It can be viewed as a state of fainting and severe physical weakness caused directly by the lack of food and drink [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, it describes the natural reaction of a person overwhelmed by distress. In this state, the traveler becomes depressed and physically bent over, appearing as though he has folded up and wrapped himself entirely within his own misery [מצודת דוד].

Reduced to this profound state of weakness, the travelers reach their breaking point. Once all hope fades and there is no natural way left to escape the harsh desert, their only remaining option is to cry out to God for rescue [רד״ק, המאירי].