“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His mercy is everlasting.
The redeemed of the Lord shall say so,
Those whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy
And gathered from the lands,
From the east and from the west,
From the north and from the south.”

Four Pictures of Redemption

Psalm 107 outlines four vivid examples of those redeemed by the Lord:

1. Wanderers in the Desert
   “They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region;
   They did not find a way to an inhabited city.
   They were hungry and thirsty;
   Their souls felt weak within them.
   Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
   He saved them from their distresses.”
2. Prisoners in Darkness
   “Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
   Prisoners in misery and chains…
   Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
   He saved them from their distresses.”
3. Fools Afflicted by Sin
   “Fools, because of their rebellious way,
   And because of their guilty deeds, suffered affliction…
   Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
   He saved them from their distresses.”
4. Sailors in a Storm
   “Those who go down to the sea in ships…
   They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths;
   Their souls melted away in misery.
   Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
   He brought them out of their distresses.”

Each section ends with the same refrain:
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His mercy,
And for His wonders to the sons of mankind!”

The Lord’s Sovereignty Over Nature and Nations

“He turns rivers into a wilderness
And springs of water into a thirsty ground…
He sets the needy securely on high away from affliction,
And makes his families like a flock.”

“The upright see it and are glad;
But all injustice shuts its mouth.”

Final Call to Wisdom

“Who is wise?
Let him give attention to these things,
And consider the mercy of the Lord.”

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Context and Meaning

Psalm 107 opens Book V of the Psalter and is a song of thanksgiving for God’s redeeming power in various human conditions. It paints a sweeping picture of how God rescues, restores, and satisfies those who call upon Him—regardless of their past.

Each scenario shows the mercy of God responding to human need, and each ends with a call to thankfulness and praise.

Key Themes:

1. God Redeems the Broken: Whether lost, bound, sick, or terrified—He answers cries for help (v. 4–32).
2. Mercy Is Everlasting: God’s love is not exhausted by our need or rebellion (v. 1, 43).
3. Praise Should Follow Rescue: Every rescue is a reason to give thanks (v. 8, 15, 21, 31).
4. God Reigns Over the Earth: He lifts up and humbles at will—His hand is active in creation and society (v. 33–42).

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 107 helps us see ourselves in the stories of others who were rescued:

• Your Situation Is Not Beyond Redemption: God redeems every form of trouble—even the self-inflicted ones.
• Your Cry Reaches God: Every group “cried out… and He saved them.”
• Thankfulness Is the Proper Response: After God delivers, we must publicly praise Him.
• Wise Hearts Recognize Mercy: Spiritual maturity sees God’s hand in both hardship and deliverance.

Application

• Tell Your Story: Like the redeemed in the psalm—declare how God rescued you.
• Cultivate Gratitude: Don’t forget to return thanks after God answers your cry.
• Recognize Patterns of Redemption: Be aware of how God works in your life and others’.
• Grow in Mercy-Wisdom: Ask God for eyes to see His mercy in every season.

Closing Thought

Psalm 107 is a resounding call for the rescued to rejoice.
“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!”