‏ Psalms 107

Exhortation to Celebrate God's Praises

This psalm opens with a call for everyone to give thanks to God. We are reminded that God is always good and his mercy never ends. Even if we do not have a special reason to praise, we can always thank him for his kindness and faithfulness to all people.

v. 1: There is a general invitation to give thanks to the Lord . Anyone can celebrate God’s goodness and his never-ending mercy. God is the source of all grace, and his lovingkindness flows to everyone, everywhere.

v. 2: Those who have been redeemed by God, saved from trouble or danger, are especially called to thank him . This can be about physical rescue, but also about spiritual redemption through Jesus, who gathers God’s people from all places (John 11:52; Matthew 24:31 ^a).

v. 3: God gathers his people from every land where they have been scattered . He knows where each one is and brings them together again, just as he promised (Deuteronomy 30:4; Ezekiel 34:12 ^b).

v. 4: The people wandered in the wilderness, lost and without a home . They found themselves in dry, empty places with no city to live in. This can remind us of Israel’s journey through the desert, or of anyone feeling lost and alone in life.

v. 5: They were hungry and thirsty, so tired that their souls fainted . Their struggles made them desperate for help, showing how much we all need God’s care, both physically and spiritually.

v. 6: In their trouble, they cried out to the Lord, and he saved them from their distress . God listens when we pray, especially in our darkest moments.

v. 7: God led them by the right way, bringing them to a city where they could live . Even if his path seems long or confusing, God’s way is always the best and leads to safety and blessing.

v. 8: The psalmist urges everyone who receives God’s help to praise him for his goodness and for his wonderful works to all people . God’s acts of mercy are amazing, and he deserves our thanks.

v. 9: God satisfies those who are thirsty and fills the hungry with good things . He gives both physical food and spiritual blessings to all who look to him. Those who seek God will not be disappointed, but will be filled with his goodness.

The Divine Goodness towards Prisoners

This section tells us about God’s kindness to prisoners and captives. Even when people face dark and difficult times because of their sins, God listens to their cries and delivers them. It reminds us that God’s power can break the strongest chains and bring freedom.

v. 10: Prisoners are described as sitting in darkness, in dark and lonely places like deep dungeons . They feel despair and danger, often expecting death. Some are even bound with iron chains, like Joseph was. This shows how terrible and painful imprisonment can be, and it should make us thankful for our freedom.

v. 11: The cause of this suffering is that they rebelled against the words of God . Sin is rebellion against God’s truth and laws. These prisoners despised God’s advice and ignored warnings, so they face punishment that is meant to bring them back to humility and repentance.

v. 12: The punishment is meant to bring down their heart, to humble them . God allows hardships to break pride and make people realize their need for him. When people refuse to be humbled, they miss the purpose of their suffering.

v. 13: In their trouble, the prisoners cry unto the Lord . Sometimes they ignored God before, but now they see they need his help. True grace leads people to pray to God, the one who both allows and can remove their suffering.

v. 14: God answers their prayers and saves them . He brings them out of darkness and danger into life and freedom. When they were chained, God broke their bands. When locked in strong prisons with gates of brass and bars of iron, he cut them in two. Nothing can stop God from delivering his people when the time is right.

v. 15: Those who are set free should praise the Lord for his goodness (Psalm 107:15 ^c). They should thank God for their own deliverance and join in praising him for all his kindness to the whole world and everyone in it.

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The Divine Goodness towards the Afflicted

This section talks about God’s kindness to people who are suffering because of sickness. It shows how our sins often lead to illness, but when we pray to God in our weakness, he is willing and able to heal us. When God restores us, we should respond with thankfulness and praise.

v. 17: Many people suffer sickness because of their sins. The psalm calls them fools because they are punished for their wrong actions . Sin often damages both body and soul, and people hurt themselves by ignoring God’s way.

v. 18: When people are very sick, they lose their appetite and cannot eat. Their bodies become so weak that they feel close to death . This is a clear reminder that sin and excess can lead to suffering and that health is a gift from God.

v. 19: In their trouble, they cry to the Lord for help . Sickness is a good time to pray, and God hears those who turn to him in their pain.

v. 20: God answers by sending his word and healing them . Just as Jesus healed people with a word, God can heal both the body and the soul. He rescues them from destruction and gives them life again (Job 33:18,28 ^d).

v. 21: Everyone, especially those who have been healed, should praise the Lord for his goodness . When God grants new life, we should use it to honor him.

v. 22: Those who have been restored should give thanks, offering sacrifices of praise and telling others what God has done . True gratitude means not only saying thank you but also sharing the good news of God’s mercy and power with joy.

The Divine Goodness to Mariners

This section invites those who have been rescued from dangers at sea to praise God. The psalmist describes the power of God shown in the ocean and especially during storms. Even though the Israelites were not known for sea trade, their neighbors were, and this message is for all who travel by sea and experience God’s protection.

v. 23–24: People who go out to sea in ships and do business on the great waters see God’s works and his wonders in the deep (Psalm 107:23–24 ^e). The sea itself is amazing, with its size, its creatures, and its power. Those who travel on it witness God’s greatness in ways that people on land may never see.

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v. 25–26: When God commands, he raises a strong wind that lifts up the waves (Psalm 107:25–26 ^f). Ships are tossed high into the sky and then dropped down into the depths. The sailors feel like they are at the mercy of the sea, and the danger is terrifying.

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v. 27: The sailors stagger and reel like drunk people, and they are at their wits’ end . All their skill and wisdom seem useless in the face of such a powerful storm. They do not know what to do and are filled with fear (Jonah 1:5–11 ^g).

v. 28: In their trouble, they cry out to the Lord for help . Even those who may not have prayed before now turn to God, knowing only he can save them.

v. 29: God hears their prayers and makes the storm calm . The winds and waves become quiet, and the sea is peaceful again. This reminds us of how Jesus calmed the storm with a word (Matthew 8:26 ^h).

v. 30: The sailors are glad when the sea is calm, and God brings them safely to their desired harbor . After the fear and chaos, the peace and safety feel even more precious.

v. 31: Those who have been delivered should praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to all people . Gratitude should be shown both privately and publicly.

v. 32: They should also praise God in the congregation and in the assembly of elders . Sharing their story encourages others to trust God and gives him the honor he deserves.

Wonders of Divine Providence

This part of the psalm praises God for his amazing control over the world and the surprising ways he changes people’s lives. The psalmist gives examples of how God can change the land, raise up the poor, and bring down the proud. These changes show that God is in charge of everything and uses his power for justice and kindness.

v. 33–34: Sometimes God turns rivers into desert and fruitful land into salty wasteland (Psalm 107:33–34 ⁱ). He does this as a judgment for the wickedness of the people who live there. The land becomes barren because the people have turned away from God, just as Sodom became a salt sea.

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v. 35: But God can also turn a dry wilderness into a place with water-springs . He can make barren land fruitful and full of life, showing his goodness and care for people who need help (Deuteronomy 29:23 ^j).

v. 36–38: God gives hungry and needy people a place to live in fruitful land. They settle there, build cities, plant fields and vineyards, and enjoy a great harvest (Psalm 107:36–38 ^k). God blesses them so their families and flocks increase. Prosperity comes when people work with God’s blessing (Genesis 1:22 ^l).

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v. 39: But sometimes those who have become rich and successful are brought low again by trouble, suffering, or sorrow . Worldly wealth is not secure, and God can humble those who become proud or careless.

v. 40–41: God can put princes to shame and make them wander in confusion. At the same time, he lifts up the poor and gives them honor and large families (Psalm 107:40–41; Job 12:24–25 ^m; 1 Samuel 2:8; Psalm 113:7–8 ⁿ; Psalm 127:5 ^o). God is able to change anyone’s situation, no matter how high or low they are.

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v. 42: The righteous see these things and rejoice because they recognize God’s justice and power . These changes show that God rules the earth and rewards those who trust in him while silencing those who do evil.

v. 43: The psalm ends by saying that anyone who is wise should pay attention to these things (Psalm 107:43 ^p). By observing God’s actions in the world, people will understand his lovingkindness and learn to trust him more (Psalm 26:3; Luke 2:19 ^q).