Psalms 107

This psalm is a hymn of praise to God the Redeemer. The psalmist begins by urging the redeemed to praise God for his goodness (Psalm 107:1–3). The psalmist then presents four examples of people whom the Lord saved from trouble (Psalm 107:4–32). He summarizes the Lord’s control over everything (Psalm 107:33–42) and ends with an invitation to recognize God’s loving devotion in all parts of life (107:43).

The redeemed might be all who came out of exile.

People came from all nations where the people of Israel and Judah had been scattered.

Those who were lost in the desert wastelands thank God for his rescue. The desert wastelands might be a metaphor for leaving the path of wisdom (Psalm 1:1; Proverbs 4:10–15).

The psalmist does not say what caused his trouble and distress. Because the problem is not specific, people in many different situations can identify with the laments.

• God led them like a shepherd (see Psalm 23:1).

• Verse 8 is repeated in Psalm 107:15, 21, 31.

The psalmist calls for thanksgiving and praise from people in despair over the consequences of their rebellion.

God’s counsel includes his instruction and will.

Exhausted from their hard work (Lamentations 5:13), the people stumbled. While this might be expected of the wicked (Psalms 9:3; 27:2), it was different from the Israelites' escape from Egypt (105:37).

Fools who received what they deserved but were rescued from death offer thanksgiving to the Lord.

The Lord creates (Genesis 1:3) and sustains the universe (Hebrews 1:3) simply by speaking (Psalm 147:18). When God speaks, people are also healed (Matthew 8:8).

Sailors give thanks to the Lord when he saves them from the chaos and peril of the sea.

The same God who speaks and brings about the sailors’ distress can also calm the storm with just a word (compare Jonah 1:4; Matthew 8:26).

This call for public praise expands on the repeated phrases in Psalms 107:21–22 and 107:31.

The Lord can choose to make the earth fertile or barren (Psalm 74:15; Isaiah 35:6–7).

These two sections (Psalm 107:33–38, 39–42) expand the theme of the Lord’s complete authority and power over things that humans cannot control.

God’s presence can be seen in the abundance of his people’s families and herds (Psalms 127:3; 133:3; compare 109:8).

People often become poor when their leaders are oppressive.

The Lord rejects human rulers who act unjustly. He corrects their wrongdoing and brings justice on the earth.

The large families of the poor are evidence of God’s blessing.

Justice wins in God’s world (Psalm 1:6), and Israel’s history shows God’s loving devotion.