Psalms 107
Summary for Ps 107:1-43: Ps 107 a This psalm is a hymn of praise to God the Redeemer. After an introduction exhorting the redeemed to praise God for his goodness (107:1-3 b), the psalmist brings together four case studies of people whom the Lord redeemed from adversity (107:4-32 c). He then sums up the Lord’s sovereignty (107:33-42 d) and concludes with an invitation to discern God’s unfailing love in all areas of life (107:43 e).107:2 f The redeemed might be all who came out of exile.
107:3 g exiles: People came from all nations where the people of Israel and Judah had been scattered.
Summary for Ps 107:4-9: 107:4-9 h Those who were lost in the wilderness thank God for his rescue. The wilderness might be a metaphor for leaving the path of wisdom (1:1 i; Prov 4:10-15 j).
107:6 k The psalmist does not specify the occasion of his trouble and distress. The generic nature of the adversity permits readers in a variety of circumstances to identify with the laments.
Summary for Ps 107:7-8: 107:7-8 l God led them like a shepherd (see 23:1 m).
• Verse 8 is a refrain that is repeated in 107:15 n, 21 o, 31 p.
Summary for Ps 107:10-16: 107:10-16 q The psalmist calls for thanksgiving and praise from people in despair over the consequences of their rebellion.
107:11 r God’s counsel includes his instruction and will.
107:12 s Exhausted by their hard labor (Lam 5:13 t), the people fell. While this might be expected of the wicked (Pss 9:3 u; 27:2 v), it was unlike the Israelites’ flight from Egypt (105:37 w).
Summary for Ps 107:17-22: 107:17-22 x Fools who received what they deserved but were rescued from death offer thanksgiving to the Lord.
107:20 y The Lord creates (Gen 1:3 z) and sustains the universe (Heb 1:3 aa) simply by speaking (Ps 147:18 ab); when he speaks, people are also healed (Matt 8:8 ac).
Summary for Ps 107:23-32: 107:23-32 ad Sailors give thanks to the Lord when he saves them from the chaos and peril of the sea.
Summary for Ps 107:25-29: 107:25-29 ae The same God who speaks and brings about the sailors’ distress can also calm the storm with just a word (cp. Jon 1:4 af; Matt 8:26 ag).
107:32 ah This call for public praise expands the refrains in 107:21-22 ai and 107:31 aj.
Summary for Ps 107:33-42: 107:33-42 ak These two sections (107:33-38 al, 39-42 am) expand the theme of the Lord’s sovereignty over things that humans cannot control.
Summary for Ps 107:33-35: 107:33-35 an The Lord can choose to make the earth fertile or barren (74:15 ao; Isa 35:6-7 ap).
107:38 aq God’s presence can be seen in the abundance of his people’s families and herds (127:3 ar; 133:3 as; cp. 109:8 at).
107:39 au People often become impoverished when their rulers practice oppression.
107:40 av In his contempt for human rulers, the Lord rectifies their corruption on earth.
107:41 aw The large families of the poor are evidence of God’s blessing.
Summary for Ps 107:42-43: 107:42-43 ax Justice prevails in God’s world (1:6 ay), and Israel’s history demonstrates God’s faithful love.
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