Psalms 107 - 150 are written psalms that praise God's works, recounting the blessings of righteous living, thanking God for deliverance and praising God for his wonderful Word. These psalms remind us that the best sacrifice we can offer to God is a faithful and obedient life.
Psalm 107 was written to share with us that thankfulness to God should constantly be on the lips of those whom he has saved. The author of Psalm 107 is not known; however, the psalm speaks of four different types of people in distress and how God rescues them: wanders, prisoners, the sick and the storm-tossed. No matter how extreme our calamity, God is able to break through to help us. He is loving and kind to those who are distressed.
Psalm 107:1,2 - "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2-Let the redeemed of the LORD say this - ..."
"Let the redeemed of the LORD say..." God has done so much for us, and we have so much for which to thank him. He wants us to tell everyone all that he has done. These verses are not so much a mandate to witness as a declaration that when we live in God's presence we will not be able to keep this glorious experience to ourselves. What has God done for you? Is there someone you can tell?
Psalm 107:5-9 - "They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. 6-Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 7-He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. 8-Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, 9-for he sanctifies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things"
Lost, hungry, thirsty and exhausted, those wanderers symbolize the Israelites in exile. But they also symbolize anyone who has not found the satisfaction that comes from knowing God. Anyone who recognizes his or her own lostness can receive the offer of Jesus to satisfy these needs. Jesus is the way, the bread from heaven, the living water, and the give of rest. Have you received his life-giving offer?
Psalm 107:32 - "Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders"
Those who have never truly suffered may not appreciate God as much as those who have matured under hardship. Those who have seen God work in times of distress have a deeper insight into his loving-kindness. If you have experienced great trials, you have the potential for great praise.
Psalm 107 / New International Version
ReplyDelete1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say this —
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
5 They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
10 Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God
and despised the council of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness, and the deepest gloom
and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.
17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
18 They loathed all food
and drew near the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent forth hiss word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.
23 Others went out on the sea in ships;
they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24 They saw the works of the Lord,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunken men;
they were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mn.
32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
and praise him in the council of the elders.
33 He turned rivers into a desert,
flowing springs into thirsty ground,
34 and fruitful land into a salt waste,
because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
35 He turned the desert into pools of water
and the parched ground into flowing springs;
36 there he brought the hungry to live,
and they founded a city where they could settle.
37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards
that yielded a fruitful harvest;
38 he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,
and he did not let their herds diminish.
39 Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled
by oppression, calamity and sorrow;
40 he who pours contempt on nobles
made them wander in a trackless waste.
41 But he lifted the needy out of their affliction
and increased their families like flocks.
42 The upright see and rejoice,
but all the wicked shut their mouths.
43 Whoever is wise, let him heed these things
and consider the great love of the Lord.