Psalms 107
Psalm 107 is a song that conveys experiences of thanksgiving and deliverance, in which the testimonies of those who cried out to God amid various kinds of hardship repeatedly appear—testifying that they experienced His kindness and help when they called upon Him. This chapter features people who go through four major life crises (wandering in the wilderness, being shut up in prison, suffering from sickness and weakness, and danger on the rough sea), and in each case the narrative unfolds in a cyclical pattern: after suffering, when they earnestly cry out to God, He responds and delivers them.
1verseGive thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
2verseLet the redeemed by the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the adversary,
3verseand gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
4verseThey wandered in the wilderness in a desert way. They found no city to live in.
5verseHungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6verseThen they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7verseHe led them also by a straight way, that they might go to a city to live in.
8verseLet them praise the LORD for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!
9verseFor he satisfies the longing soul. He fills the hungry soul with good.
10verseSome sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron,
11versebecause they rebelled against the words of God, and condemned the counsel of the Most High.
12verseTherefore he brought down their heart with labor. They fell down, and there was no one to help.
13verseThen they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
14verseHe brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke away their chains.
15verseLet them praise the LORD for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!
16verseFor he has broken the gates of bronze, and cut through bars of iron.
17verseFools are afflicted because of their disobedience, and because of their iniquities.
18verseTheir soul abhors all kinds of food. They draw near to the gates of death.
19verseThen they cry to the LORD in their trouble, and he saves them out of their distresses.
20verseHe sends his word, and heals them, and delivers them from their graves.
21verseLet them praise the LORD for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!
22verseLet them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his deeds with singing.
23verseThose who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters,
24versethese see the LORD’s deeds, and his wonders in the deep.
25verseFor he commands, and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up its waves.
26verseThey mount up to the sky; they go down again to the depths. Their soul melts away because of trouble.
27verseThey reel back and forth, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
28verseThen they cry to the LORD in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distress.
29verseHe makes the storm a calm, so that its waves are still.
30verseThen they are glad because it is calm, so he brings them to their desired haven.
31verseLet them praise the LORD for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds for the children of men!
32verseLet them exalt him also in the assembly of the people, and praise him in the seat of the elders.
33verseHe turns rivers into a desert, water springs into a thirsty ground,
34verseand a fruitful land into a salt waste, for the wickedness of those who dwell in it.
35verseHe turns a desert into a pool of water, and a dry land into water springs.
36verseThere he makes the hungry live, that they may prepare a city to live in,
37versesow fields, plant vineyards, and reap the fruits of increase.
38verseHe blesses them also, so that they are multiplied greatly. He doesn’t allow their livestock to decrease.
39verseAgain, they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, trouble, and sorrow.
40verseHe pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in a trackless waste.
41verseYet he lifts the needy out of their affliction, and increases their families like a flock.
42verseThe upright will see it, and be glad. All the wicked will shut their mouths.
43verseWhoever is wise will pay attention to these things. They will consider the loving kindnesses of the LORD.
Repeated Stories of Deliverance
What is emphasized throughout the psalm is that the element “So they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress” is repeated. People facing different crises seek God’s help, and He responds faithfully to save them. Through this, the psalmist strongly urges that we should give thanks to God.
God’s Kindness and Faithfulness
This psalm reveals the character of God, who keeps His promises with a love of kindness (chesed) to the very end, despite human circumstances, mistakes, and weakness. It shows that even those who are in trouble, those who have made mistakes, and even those who have brought themselves into crisis can experience restoration and deliverance when they trust in God’s kindness and cry out to Him.
Encouragement to Give Thanks and Praise
The psalmist repeatedly urges in every scene of deliverance, “Give thanks to the LORD for His steadfast love and for the wondrous works He has done for mankind” (verses 8, 15, 21, and 31). This highlights how essential thanksgiving and praise are in every experience and trial of life, and also how important it is to share this together within the community.
Meditation Points
- As you reflect, think about whether you have ever cried out to God amid a life crisis or hardship you faced.
- Try renewing your heart with trust that God is the One who responds and bestows kindness.
- Through the repeated encouragement to give thanks and praise, consider how you can make a life of thanksgiving a regular practice.
Put It into Practice
- Remember the small and big moments of deliverance in everyday life, and offer prayers of thanksgiving.
- For those around you who are struggling and worn out, how about sharing together the message of hope and restoration shown in Psalm 107?
