Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43

Psalm chapter 107

English Standard Version

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! 2Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble 3and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. 4Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; 5hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. 6Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 7He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. 8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 9For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. 10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, 11for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. 12So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help. 13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. 15 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 16For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron. 17Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; 18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. 19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 20He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. 21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 22And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy! 23Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; 24they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. 25For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. 26They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; 27they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits ' end. 28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 29He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 30Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 32Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. 33He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, 34 a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. 35He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. 36And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; 37they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. 38 By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. 39When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, 40 he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; 41but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. 42 The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. 43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

What does Psalm chapter 107 mean?

This begins the so-called "Book Five" of the Psalms. The theme is praise in response to God's miraculous intervention. Each example given uses a repeated statement of the Lord's response to prayer (Psalm 107:6, 13, 19, 28). The stanzas also repeat a call for praise aimed at God's "works" for men (Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31).

When Israel was scattered into captivity and exile by Babylon, the Lord promised they would be collected again as one (Jeremiah 29:14). This psalm doesn't mention the exile specifically, but the mention of being "gathered" from all points of the compass may be such a reference. Those rescued by the Lord ought to respond with praise (Psalm 107:1–3).

The first example of God's intervention are those saved from starvation and thirst in the desert. God led these people to a place where they could survive. They should thank the Lord for His work on their behalf. In the same way, God also provides life-giving spiritual help to His people (Psalm 107:4–9).

Even those who rebel against God have hope of redemption. Some, suffering for their own sin, were chained in captivity and forced into hard work. Yet God heard their cries and saved them from that fate. Those whom the Lord has rescued from slavery and imprisonment should praise Him for His power to overcome any obstacle (Psalm 107:10–16).

Others who suffer do so in personal ways, the consequences of sinful choices. Even those near death can be healed by God's power. When someone has been saved from death by God's power, the appropriate response is worship (Psalm 107:17–22).

Some have experienced God's rescue from the terrible dangers of the sea. When a boat is pummeled by winds and massive waves, it seems there is nothing to be done. But God has rescued men from these threats in response to prayer. When saved from inevitable death at sea, a person should be aware of God's goodness and faithful love (Psalm 107:23–32).

Other incidents have proven God's power to work for the good of His people. Fertile lands can become deserts when the people reject the Lord. Uninhabitable wastelands can become an oasis of life. Powerful oppressors have been ousted from their positions. The poor and disadvantaged have been granted freedom and success. This frustrates those who are evil but encourages those who love God (Psalm 107:33–42).

All these examples should lead to a sensible conclusion: that the Lord deserves praise and worship. His loyal, consistent love ought to be a theme in the minds of His people (Psalm 107:43).
Expand
Book Summary
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
Expand
Chapter Context
The section often called "Book Five" of the Psalms begins here. As do other songs (Psalm 9:11; 29:2; 30:4; 99:5), this one calls on the people to praise God. Using several examples, the psalmist points out that Israel should be worshipping God; this is proper thanks for His work on behalf of Israel. Some references within the psalm suggest events surrounding the Babylonian exile (Jeremiah 29:14).
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: