Psalms 107

Ps 107 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), the psalmist brings together four case studies of people whom the Lord redeemed from adversity (107:4-32). He then sums up the Lord’s sovereignty (107:33-42) and concludes with an invitation to discern God’s unfailing love in all areas of life (107:43).

107:2 The redeemed might be all who came out of exile.

107:3 exiles: People came from all nations where the people of Israel and Judah had been scattered.

107:4-9 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; Prov 4:10-15).

107:6 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.

107:7-8 God led them like a shepherd (see 23:1). • Verse 8 is a refrain that is repeated in 107:15, 21, 31.

107:10-16 The psalmist calls for thanksgiving and praise from people in despair over the consequences of their rebellion.

107:11 God’s counsel includes his instruction and will.

107:12 Exhausted by their hard labor (Lam 5:13), the people fell. While this might be expected of the wicked (Pss 9:3; 27:2), it was unlike the Israelites’ flight from Egypt (105:37).

107:17-22 Fools who received what they deserved but were rescued from death offer thanksgiving to the Lord.

107:20 The Lord creates (Gen 1:3) and sustains the universe (Heb 1:3) simply by speaking (Ps 147:18); when he speaks, people are also healed (Matt 8:8).

107:23-32 Sailors give thanks to the Lord when he saves them from the chaos and peril of the sea.

107:25-29 The same God who speaks and brings about the sailors’ distress can also calm the storm with just a word (cp. Jon 1:4; Matt 8:26).

107:32 This call for public praise expands the refrains in 107:21-22 and 107:31.

107:33-42 These two sections (107:33-38, 39-42) expand the theme of the Lord’s sovereignty over things that humans cannot control.107:33-35 The Lord can choose to make the earth fertile or barren (74:15; Isa 35:6-7).

107:38 God’s presence can be seen in the abundance of his people’s families and herds (127:3; 133:3; cp. 109:8).

107:39 People often become impoverished when their rulers practice oppression.

107:40 In his contempt for human rulers, the Lord rectifies their corruption on earth.

107:41 The large families of the poor are evidence of God’s blessing.

107:42-43 Justice prevails in God’s world (1:6), and Israel’s history demonstrates God’s faithful love.