Psalm 107

Psalm 107

An examination of 

beauty and blessings

from God

~  ~  ~

This psalm teaches us to
ponder
God's love and kindness.
And to respond by expressing thankfulness
and by giving him our complete dedication.

The first verse

in

this psalm

sets the stage for the main message.

The Backbone of Psalm 107

The first verse of this psalm sets the stage for the whole psalm.

And several other verses

join together

with it

to make the backbone of Psalm 107.

1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

15 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

21 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

31 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

The Blue verse (verse 1) gives the basic focus.

Note that this verse is a command to us from God.

-

Note that the red verses are identical.

Also note what God is strongly urging us to do.

-

The green verses compliment and enlarge
the understanding of the other verses that make up
the backbone of the psalm.

The green verses give further instructions from God.

The Red Verse is repeated 4 Times

The forth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is Daleth.

The idea associated with this Hebrew letter "Daleth" is a door.

- - - -

I like to think that

as we praise God for his goodness and his works - 

God opens doors for us.

Psalm 107  as it relates to other Bible verses

The first line of Psalm 107

is the same first line as Psalm 118 and 136. 

It is also the same as:

Psalm 118:29
Psalm 106:1b
1 Chronicles 16:34

In addition, it is similar to the first line in Psalm 105.

Obviously God is emphasizing this command.  

The first line of Psalm 107 is very important.

Throughout history
the Jewish people were very familiar
with the content of all the psalms.

They frequently sang the psalms.

They would easily notice when content was similar.
Similar content would remind them of which psalms were closely related to each other.

For more about patterns see our page called Clever Clues.

Verse 2

Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so.

Psalm 107:2a NKJV

God redeemed us from our sins.

For those living after Jesus came,
we were given even more understanding
about the redemption of God.

We now know that we were redeemed (bought)
with an enormous price -
the price is the blood of Jesus.

-

Jesus suffered and died
so that we could be free of sin and its eternal consequences.

We see that the Old Testament believers had a lot to be grateful for - yet we today (knowing Jesus) have even more to be grateful for!

~ ~ ~

Verse 2 is a call to each of us to speak out and tell others the enormous gratitude we have toward God and his goodness.

Jesus said

Jesus said in Luke 9:26:

For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words,
of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

Jesus said in Mark 8:28:

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation;
of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed,
when he cometh
in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So.

Psalm 107:2a

Christians have been redeemed.

If

you are a Christian,

will you

 SAY SO and Sing So?

More Patterns

Several patterns make up the skeleton of Psalm 107.

We have already mentioned some of the patterns.

Now we will continue with more patterns:

4 Times we read:

And they cried out to the Lord....

And God came to rescue them

6 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

13 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.

19 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.

28 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

4 Times They Cried Out

 "Cried out" - In the 4 times there are  2 different Hebrew words -
scroll down for more information.

The forth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is Daleth.
The idea of the Hebrew letter "Daleth" is a door.

As we cry out to God with a sincere and clean heart - as best we can -
I believe God opens doors for us.

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

James 4:6

Why did the people cry out?

Verses 4-9

In verses 4-9, we see people who have lost their way.
Then in their troubles, they realize that they cannot fix their situation. They humble themselves and cry out to God.

God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.

Verses 10-16

In verses 10-16, we begin with people who are dwelling in darkness. Here we see that these people have chosen darkness in their life, and now they are prisoners of darkness. They find themselves in misery and chains (verse 10b).

In verses 10-16, the people refused to follow God. We see this from what God says in verses 11-12:

God tells us, "Because they rebelled against the words of God, and condemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their hearts with labour: they fell down, and there was none to help."

Then in verse 13, the people humble themselves. The verse reads, "Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses."

God opposes the proud 
but gives grace to the humble.

Verses 17-22

Verses 17-22 talk about those who are suffering sicknesses.  Here the psalm draws us to the conclusion that their sicknesses were caused by their actions. (Many times we are sick because of things we have done - taking illegal drugs, becoming an alcoholic, eating in an unbalanced way, smoking cigarettes, etc.)

In verse 19, these people humble themselves. ""Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses."

God opposes the proud

but gives grace to the humble.

Here - in the midst of this section -
we are met with one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible:

He sent his word, and healed them,

and delivered them from their destructions.

Psalm 107:20

Psalm 107:20 and Healing

In verse 20, God tells us plainly that his WORD is powerful.

His WORD has the power to heal our bodies.

This thought can be broken down into two parts.

# 1. When we read the word of God, it gives us instructions that give life and health to our body.

For example:

Galatians chapter 3 tells us that when we follow God, our self control is increased.

Many times sickness is caused by a lack of self control. Here are a couple of examples:

* Proverbs 25:16 gives us an example by telling us that eating too much honey will make us sick.

* God tells us in many verses including Galatians 5:19-23 that being drunk is a sin. Excessive drinking does great damage to our body.

The Bible is clear that running after something sinful
will have consequences and
many times those consequences show up in our body.

Proverbs tells us that

WISDOM brings health. 

"Be not wise in thine own eyes:
fear the Lord, and
depart from evil.
It shall be health to thy navel,
and marrow to thy bones."

Proverbs 3:8

# 2. God's Word is special. It is not just some wise book.

God's Word has miracle-working power.

God says that God's Words - if spoken often - have the power to heal our bodies.

God's Word
is powerful and miraculous when applied.

Note that this world is a fallen world and no one totally understands how we can get God's healing power to manifest into our body.

This website cannot guarantee your results. But we know that respecting and following God's word is always the right thing to do and it sometimes opens up the miraculous.

Verses 23 - 31

In these next few verses, God makes a slight turn in the way he has been writing this psalm.

Here in verses 23-31, he starts to talk specifically about fishermen.

This section is not necessarily addressed to people who have wandered away from God in any fashion. This section can be applied to all people, yet God chooses to use the illustration of fishermen to share these truths with us.

Fishermen

This example is about both proud fishermen and humble fishermen.

Both types of fishermen sometimes find themselves in situations where human knowledge and experience are not enough.

God reminds us in Psalm 107 that there are times when fishermen are at the mercy of the sea and only God's miracles can save them.

Commercial Fishermen

In Bible days, there were many commercial fishermen.

At times, they had to face strong storms. 

Note that in the New Testament, we read of terrible storms on
the Sea of Galilee.

And we read of Jesus rescuing the 12 disciples during stormy seas.

Fishing was not the safest career in Bible days,
and it is not the safest career in modern days.

Jack Frost - the Christian speaker

Recently deceased evangelist Jack Frost - finding freedom -  has spoken extensively about his career as a commercial fisherman and about great dangers that are sometimes encountered in that career. He shares several harrowing stories about storms that he came through ONLY by the grace of God.

The words of Psalm 107:23-31 remind us that those who do commercial fishing will experience times of great danger. Often during these dangerous times, fisherman experience the mighty hand of God.

Even though I am not a fisherman,
I can still glean from these verses about fearful times
and the best way to react to them.

23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

24 These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.

25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.

28 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

31 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

In Conclusion

In conclusion, this section of verses reminds us that difficulties come to all people.

Difficulties come to:

*People who walk closely with God,

*People who sometimes walk with God

and

*People who turn their back on God

All people 
have times of great distress when only God can save them.

Wisdom Says:

It is wise for us to remember that
only God saves us from difficulties on this earth -
AND
only God can save us from eternity in hell.

Wisdom Also Says:

Don't just run to God when you are in trouble.
Instead, stay close to God at all times.
Respect God and follow God.

Verses 32-38

In verses 32 - 38, God tells us that for those who honor him before men (extol him also in the congregation of people and praise Him at the seat of elders) he will bless their lives.

These verses show God's will for those who love him and thank him both outwardly and inwardly.

Take note that this is what God wants for our lives.  Sin works against this thankful attitude of the heart.  The sin that works against us, can be our sin or it can be the sin of others. Sometimes the sin of others invades our life and makes life more difficult.

Trust God

Even before we see the good things God wants his followers to see and have what God wants us to have, we must trust God.

Also remember, many of the blessings of God are not experienced on this earth. Our time on this earth is short, and we are sometimes subject to the imperfections of this earth and the evil in it.

However, in heaven, there are no imperfections. So these verses give us a vague view of the beauty and bountifulness of the heaven that awaits us.

Explaining what I mean by " Vague View":

I've heard someone say, "How do you explain snow to someone who has never seen snow or has never seen a picture of it?"

Well, it is difficult for God to explain heaven to us because it is very different from earth. Here in these verses, God seeks to give us a glimpse of what the blessings of heaven would be like. This is not a clear view, but it gives us a little idea.

Verses 39-43

These last verses answer the question:

What about those who will not humble themselves?

Psalm 107:39-43 teaches us that
there is joy for the humble, upright ones -
but unhappiness for the disobedient, proud ones.

Verse 39

Verse 39 tells us that those who turn away from God and his Word will experience great oppression, misery, sorrow, and trouble. And not just in this life but the life to come.

We all experience some misery and trouble from being in this imperfect world. But we who love and serve the Lord will only deal with it for a few years and then spend eternity in the perfection of heaven with all its blessings poured out generously upon us.

The Last Verse.....Verse 43

The last verse implores us with all God's passion

to consider our ways

and

make the right eternal chose

to obey and serve God.

That verse says:

Who is wise?

Let him give heed to these things, and
consider the lovingkindness of the Lord.

Psalm 107:43

So today let's ponder the saving and sustaining

power of God.

The NIV translation has an interesting way
of expressing verse 43:

Let the one who is wise heed these things
    and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

Psalm 107:43 NIV 

Please continue by looking

at the following Simple Word Studies.

Note: The above Bible Study
is copyrighted  ©  2015 by Beth McLendon

Simple word studies

In Psalm 107 verse 6, the word "delivered" is

05337   //  lun  //  natsal   //  naw-tsal'  // 

a primitive root; TWOT - 1404; v

AV - deliver 179, recover 5, rid 3, escape 2, rescue 2, spoil 2,
at all 2, take out 2, misc 16; 213

1) to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save, strip, plunder
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to tear oneself away, deliver oneself
1a2) to be torn out or away, be delivered
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to strip off, spoil
1b2) to deliver
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to take away, snatch away
1c2) to rescue, recover
1c3) to deliver (from enemies or troubles or death)
1c4) to deliver from sin and guilt
1d) (Hophal) to be plucked out
1e) (Hithpael) to strip oneself

In Psalm 107 verse 7 the word translated "right way" or "straight way" is

03477   //  rvy  //  yashar   //  yaw-shawr'  // 

from 03474 ; TWOT - 930a; adj

AV - right 53, upright 42, righteous 9, straight 3, convenient 2,
Jasher 2, equity 1, just 1, meet 1, meetest 1, upright ones 1,
uprightly 1, uprightness 1, well 1; 119

1) straight, upright, correct, right
1a) straight, level
1b) right, pleasing, correct
1c) straightforward, just, upright, fitting, proper
1d) uprightness, righteous, upright
1e) that which is upright (subst)

In Psalm 107 verse 13, the word translated "saved" is

03467   //  evy  //  yasha`   //  yaw-shah'  // 

a primitive root, Greek 5614     //  wsanna  //  ; TWOT - 929; v

AV - save 149, saviour 15, deliver 13, help 12, preserved 5,
salvation 3, avenging 2, at all 1, avenged 1, defend 1,
rescue 1, safe 1, victory 1; 205

1) to save, be saved, be delivered
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered
1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to save, deliver
1b2) to save from moral troubles
1b3) to give victory to

Cry out or Cried out -  in Psalm 107

Psalm 107 verses 6 and 28 -

the word "cry"

06817   //  qeu  //  tsa`aq   //  tsaw-ak'  //  

a primitive root; TWOT - 1947; v 

AV - cry 44, gather together 4, cry out 3, at all 1, called 1, 
gathered 1, call together 1; 55 

1) to cry, cry out, call, cry for help 
1a) (Qal) 
1a1) to cry, cry out (for help) 
1a2) to cry, cry out (in distress or need) 
1a3) to make outcry, clamour 
1b) (Niphal) to be summoned 
1c) (Piel) to cry aloud (in grief) 
1d) (Hiphil) to call together

Psalm 107 verses 13 and 19

cry -

02199   //  qez  //  za`aq   //  zaw-ak'  // 

a primitive root; TWOT - 570; v

AV - cry 50, cry out 11, assemble 3, called 3, gathered together 2,
gathered 2, company 1, proclaimed 1; 73

1) to cry, cry out, call, call for help
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call (to one's aid)
1a2) to cry, cry out (in need)
1b) (Niphal) to be assembled, be called together, be joined together
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to call, call out, call together, summon
1c2) to make a crying, proclaim
1c3) to have a proclamation made
1c4) to call out to, call out at

verse 28 - brings them out

03318   //  auy  //  yatsa'   //  yaw-tsaw'  // 

a primitive root; TWOT - 893; v

AV - ....out 518, ....forth 411, bring 24, come 24, proceed 16,
go 13, depart 10, misc 53; 1069

1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart
1a2) to go forth (to a place)
1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something)
1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result)
1a5) to come out of
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out
1b2) to bring out of
1b3) to lead out
1b4) to deliver
1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth

Psalm 107:43

understand 

0995   //  Nyb  //  biyn   //  bene  // 

a primitive root; TWOT - 239; v

AV - understand 62, understanding 32, consider 22, prudent 8, perceive 7,
regard 6, discern 3, instruct 3, misc. 27; 170


1) to discern, understand, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to perceive, discern
1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)
1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider
1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding
1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to understand
1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach
1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently
1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct
2) (TWOT) prudent, regard

Hesed - Strong's number 2617

"Mercy"

or

"Lovingkindness"

An extensive study of this Hebrew word can be
found on our Psalm 136 page.

The Hebrew word Hesed (also spelled other ways) is found

6 times in Psalm 107   (verses 1, 8, 15, 21, 31, 43)

and

127 times in Psalms KJV

and

248 in the Old Testament

This word is one of the most awesome words in Hebrew!
Please consider visiting our Psalm 136 page.

02617   //  dox  //  checed   //  kheh'-sed  //  

from   02616  , Greek   964    //  bhyesda  //  ; TWOT - 698a,699a; n m

AV - mercy 149, kindness 40, lovingkindness 30, goodness 12, kindly 5,
merciful 4, favour 3, good 1, goodliness 1, pity 1, reproach 1,
wicked thing 1; 248

1) goodness, kindness, faithfulness
2) a reproach, shame

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