Psalm 107 is a call to give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and wonderful deeds. The psalmist illustrates the Lord’s goodness by giving four examples of people who cried out to Him for help in their time of need. God showed mercy and delivered each group from their distress.
Four Groups Who Cried Out to the Lord
The psalmist calls on the redeemed to give thanks and tell of the Lord’s goodness (Psalm 107:1-3). He then gives four examples:
1. Wandering in Desert Wastelands
The first group wandered in desert wastelands (v.4-5). They were hungry, thirsty, and near death (v.5). In their trouble they cried out to the Lord and He delivered them, leading them on a straight path to an inhabited town (v.6-7).
“Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.” (Psalm 107:4-7)
2. Prisoners Suffering in Darkness
The second group sat in darkness and gloom, bound in affliction and chains because they had rebelled against God’s commands (v.10-11). When they cried out to the Lord, He saved them from their distress (v.13-14).
“Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High. So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.” (Psalm 107:10-13)
3. Fools Afflicted Because of Their Sins
The third group were fools who suffered affliction because of their sins and rebellious ways (v.17). They loathed all food and came near the gates of death (v.18). In their trouble they cried out to the Lord and He sent His word to heal them and rescue them from the grave (v.19-20).
“Fools, because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, were afflicted. Their soul abhorred all manner of meat; and they drew near unto the gates of death. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” (Psalm 107:17-20, KJV)
4. Sailors Caught in a Storm
The fourth example involves sailors in ships on the sea (v.23). The Lord commanded and raised a tempest that lifted the waves to the sky (v.25). The terrified sailors reeled and staggered like drunkards, at their wit’s end (v.27). Then they cried out to the Lord and He stilled the storm to a whisper and guided them to their desired haven (v.28-30).
“Those who go out to sea in ships, who do business on the mighty waters, they saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” (Psalm 107:23-29)
The Lord’s Goodness and Loving Mercy
Each example follows a similar pattern – trouble leads to crying out to the Lord, and the Lord shows mercy by rescuing them.
The psalmist concludes after each example by calling on them to give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind (Psalm 107:8,15, 21, 31). Those He has redeemed should praise Him publicly and rejoice in His goodness.
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.” (Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31)
The overall message is clear – we should thank and praise the Lord at all times, but especially when we cry out to Him in our trouble and He rescues us. His love endures forever and His mercy never fails. He alone can save us from our distress.
Reflecting on God’s Goodness in Our Lives
As we reflect on Psalm 107, we too can recall times when we cried out to the Lord in our trouble. In those darkest moments, God proved faithful. He answered our cry and rescued us from the storm.
Even when we brought trouble upon ourselves through our own foolishness and sin, God still showed compassion. He healed us, brought us out of darkness, and guided us to a place of rest when we had nowhere else to turn.
How good is our God! His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever. Let us give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love! Like the psalmist, may we declare His works with rejoicing and praise Him among the congregation.
