This is a wonderful song calling all believers to “Give thanks to the LORD” for His steadfast or “faithful love endures forever.” This psalm provides four accounts of people in distress (vv. 4, 10, 17, and 23). After the initial invitation to “Give thanks to the LORD” (v 1), the psalm describes how each of the four groups cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them (vv. 6, 13, 19, 28), and calls on them to thank the Lord (vv. 8, 15, 21, 31).
- 107:4-9 First Group: Those Who Wandered in Barren Places.
- 107:10-16 Second Group: Those Who Sat in Darkness.
- 107:17-22 Third Group: Those Who Suffered for Their Own Folly.
- 107:23-32 Fourth Group: Those Who Went Down to the Sea in Ships.
No matter how extreme our calamity, God is able to help us. He is loving and kind to those who are distressed.
[107:1] O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[2] Let the redeemed of the LORD say so , whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
Praise God I have been redeemed! We should shout it from the housetops! God has done so much for me and has lifted me out of the pit of despair that I need to thank Him for. This psalm is a declaration that when we live in God’s presence, we will not be able to keep this glorious experience to ourselves.
[4] They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
[5] Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
[6] Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
[7] And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
[8] Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
[9] For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Just as this first group lost their way and were tired, hungry, thirsty, and exhausted, those who are lost without Christ has not experienced the satisfaction that comes from knowing God. Anyone who recognizes that they are lost can receive the offer of Jesus Christ to satisfy these needs. Jesus is the only way, the truth, and the life. He is the bread from heaven, the living water, and the giver of rest.
[28] Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
[29] He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
[32] Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly 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 (I am still going through a pretty huge one with my Chronic Pain), you have the potential for great praise. In James 1:2, it states, “[2] Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials.” Why would we consider suffering and trials “great joy”? Romans 5:3-4 gives us the answer: “[3] And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, [4] endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.” Praise God for our suffering because it produces perseverance, endurance, and hope and hope is the highest form of maturity for Christians.
107:43 Let the Wise Attend to These Things.
[43] Whoso is wise, and will observe these things , even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
The final verse closes by inviting “Whoso is wise” (i.e., those who genuinely seek to be skillful in godly living; “will observe these things”, specifically, to the many ways in which God has displayed his “lovingkindness” . Such a meditation will increase one’s wisdom.
Blessings,
Chris
