Psalms — Chapter 107
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1O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
4They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
8Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
10Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
11Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
12Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
13Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
15Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
16For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
17Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
18Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
19Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
20He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
21Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
22And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
23They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
24These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
25For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
27They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end.
28Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
30Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
31Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
32Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
33He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
34A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
36And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
37And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
38He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
39Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
40He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
41Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
42The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
1O give thanks unto Jehovah; For he is good; For his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.
2Let the redeemed of Jehovah say [so], Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the adversary,
3And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south.
4They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way; They found no city of habitation.
5Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them.
6Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he delivered them out of their distresses,
7He led them also by a straight way, That they might go to a city of habitation.
8Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9For he satisfieth the longing soul, And the hungry soul he filleth with good.
10Such as sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Being bound in affliction and iron,
11Because they rebelled against the words of God, And contemned the counsel of the Most High:
12Therefore he brought down their heart with labor; They fell down, and there was none to help.
13Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he saved them out of their distresses.
14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And brake their bonds in sunder.
15Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
16For he hath broken the gates of brass, And cut the bars of iron in sunder.
17Fools because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
18Their soul abhorreth all manner of food; And they draw near unto the gates of death.
19Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he saveth them out of their distresses.
20He sendeth his word, and healeth them, And delivereth [them] from their destructions.
21Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
22And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare his works with singing.
23They that go down to the sea in ships, That do business in great waters;
24These see the works of Jehovah, And his wonders in the deep.
25For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths: Their soul melteth away because of trouble.
27They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits` end.
28Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29He maketh the storm a calm, So that the waves thereof are still.
30Then are they glad because they are quiet; So he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
31Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
32Let them exalt him also in the assembly of the people, And praise him in the seat of the elders.
33He turneth rivers into a wilderness, And watersprings into a thirsty ground;
34A fruitful land into a salt desert, For the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35He turneth a wilderness into a pool of water, And a dry land into watersprings.
36And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, That they may prepare a city of habitation,
37And sow fields, and plant vineyards, And get them fruits of increase.
38He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; And he suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
39Again, they are diminished and bowed down Through oppression, trouble, and sorrow.
40He poureth contempt upon princes, And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.
41Yet setteth he the needy on high from affliction, And maketh [him] families like a flock.
42The upright shall see it, and be glad; And all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43Whoso is wise will give heed to these things; And they will consider the lovingkindnesses of Jehovah. Psalm 108 A Song, A Psalm of David.
1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his loyal love endures.
2Let those delivered by the Lord speak out, those whom he delivered from the power of the enemy
3and gathered from foreign lands, from east and west, from north and south.
4They wandered through the wilderness, in a wasteland; they found no road to a city in which to live.
5They were hungry and thirsty; they fainted from exhaustion.
6They cried out to the Lord in their distress; he delivered them from their troubles.
7He led them on a level road that they might find a city in which to live.
8Let them give thanks to the Lord for his loyal love and for the amazing things he has done for people.
9For he has satisfied those who thirst, and those who hunger he has filled with food.
10They sat in utter darkness, bound in painful iron chains
11because they had rebelled against God’s commands and rejected the instructions of the Most High.
12So he used suffering to humble them; they stumbled and no one helped them up.
13They cried out to the Lord in their distress; he delivered them from their troubles.
14He brought them out of the utter darkness and tore off their shackles.
15Let them give thanks to the Lord for his loyal love and for the amazing things he has done for people.
16For he shattered the bronze gates and hacked through the iron bars.
17They acted like fools in their rebellious ways and suffered because of their sins.
18They lost their appetite for all food, and they drew near the gates of death.
19They cried out to the Lord in their distress; he delivered them from their troubles.
20He sent them an assuring word and healed them; he rescued them from the pits where they were trapped.
21Let them give thanks to the Lord for his loyal love and for the amazing things he has done for people.
22Let them present thank offerings, and loudly proclaim what he has done.
23Some traveled on the sea in ships and carried cargo over the vast waters.
24They witnessed the acts of the Lord, his amazing feats on the deep water.
25He gave the order for a windstorm, and it stirred up the waves of the sea.
26They reached up to the sky, then dropped into the depths. The sailors’ strength left them because the danger was so great.
27They swayed and staggered like drunks, and all their skill proved ineffective.
28They cried out to the Lord in their distress; he delivered them from their troubles.
29He calmed the storm, and the waves grew silent.
30The sailors rejoiced because the waves grew quiet, and he led them to the harbor they desired.
31Let them give thanks to the Lord for his loyal love and for the amazing things he has done for people.
32Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people. Let them praise him in the place where the leaders preside.
33He turned streams into a desert, springs of water into arid land,
34and a fruitful land into a barren place, because of the sin of its inhabitants.
35As for his people, he turned a desert into a pool of water and a dry land into springs of water.
36He allowed the hungry to settle there, and they established a city in which to live.
37They cultivated fields and planted vineyards, which yielded a harvest of fruit.
38He blessed them so that they became very numerous. He would not allow their cattle to decrease in number.
39As for their enemies, they decreased in number and were beaten down, because of painful distress and suffering.
40He would pour contempt upon princes, and he made them wander in a wasteland with no road.
41Yet he protected the needy from oppression and cared for his families like a flock of sheep.
42When the godly see this, they rejoice, and every sinner shuts his mouth.
43Whoever is wise, let him take note of these things. Let them consider the Lord’s acts of loyal love.
1Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
2Let the redeemed by Yahweh say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the adversary,
3And gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
4They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way. They found no city to live in.
5Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses,
7he led them also by a straight way, that they might go to a city to live in.
8Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!
9For he satisfies the longing soul. He fills the hungry soul with good.
10Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron,
11because they rebelled against the words of God, and condemned the counsel of the Most High.
12Therefore he brought down their heart with labor. They fell down, and there was no one to help.
13Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke away their chains.
15Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!
16For he has broken the gates of brass, and cut through bars of iron.
17Fools are afflicted because of their disobedience, and because of their iniquities.
18Their soul abhors all kinds of food. They draw near to the gates of death.
19Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble, he saves them out of their distresses.
20He sends his word, and heals them, and delivers them from their graves.
21Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!
22Let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his deeds with singing.
23Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters;
24These see Yahweh’s deeds, and his wonders in the deep.
25For he commands, and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up its waves.
26They mount up to the sky; they go down again to the depths. Their soul melts away because of trouble.
27They reel back and forth, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
28Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distress.
29He makes the storm a calm, so that its waves are still.
30Then they are glad because it is calm, so he brings them to their desired haven.
31Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds for the children of men!
32Let them exalt him also in the assembly of the people, and praise him in the seat of the elders.
33He turns rivers into a desert, water springs into a thirsty ground,
34and a fruitful land into a salt waste, for the wickedness of those who dwell in it.
35He turns a desert into a pool of water, and a dry land into water springs.
36There he makes the hungry live, that they may prepare a city to live in,
37sow fields, plant vineyards, and reap the fruits of increase.
38He blesses them also, so that they are multiplied greatly. He doesn’t allow their livestock to decrease.
39Again, they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, trouble, and sorrow.
40He pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in a trackless waste.
41Yet he lifts the needy out of their affliction, and increases their families like a flock.
42The upright will see it, and be glad. All the wicked will shut their mouths.
43Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things. They will consider the loving kindnesses of Yahweh.
Summary
A thanksgiving psalm opening Book V — 'O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good'; four groups in distress (wanderers, prisoners, fools, storm-tossed sailors) cry to the LORD and He delivers; 'let them give thanks for his steadfast love.'
Authorship & Background
- Call to Thanksgiving (vv.1-3)
- Vignette 1: Lost in the Desert (vv.4-9)
- Vignette 2: Prisoners in Darkness (vv.10-16)
- Vignette 3: Sick unto Death (vv.17-22)
- Vignette 4: Sailors in the Storm (vv.23-32)
- God's Sovereign Reversals (vv.33-42)
- Wisdom Conclusion (v.43)
Map & Geography
- No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.
Reflection
- 1. If you've been redeemed, say so (v.2). Don't keep God's deliverance a secret. Your testimony of rescue is meant to be spoken — for your own remembrance and for others' faith.
- 2. The pattern never changes (vv.6, 13, 19, 28). Trouble → cry to God → deliverance. Four different situations, one solution: crying to the LORD. Whatever your distress — lostness, bondage, sickness, or chaos — the answer is the same: cry out.
- 3. Some suffering is self-inflicted (vv.11, 17). The prisoners rebelled; the sick were "fools through their transgression." God still delivers when they cry out. Self-inflicted suffering doesn't disqualify you from mercy.
- 4. He brings you to your desired haven (v.30). After the storm, God doesn't just calm the waters — He brings you to where you needed to go. Deliverance is not just rescue from danger but guidance to destination.
- 5. Wisdom sees the pattern (v.43). The wise person connects the dots across their life: every rescue reveals hesed. If you can't see God's lovingkindness, you're not observing closely enough.