Thoughts on Psalm 107, #1

 A Beautiful Song of Thanksgiving, Psalm 107:

I've been taking a slow tour through the Psalms. As one ought to do on a leisurely road trip, I've given myself permission to stop, get out, and ask questions about what interests me along my journey. When I started the trip, I knew I'd take some time walking around and looking at this psalm. 

So, here I am.

Especially since over the past ten years I've had more of an itinerant ministry, it has been my privilege to preach from Psalm 107 on several occasions. It is a "go-to" message on gratitude. Still, though I've grown somewhat familiar with this masterpiece, I've enjoyed wandering around and looking at this monument to God's Hesed. I'll come back to that in a moment. 

My plan, as far as this blog is concerned, is to take a couple of weeks and share some of what I find in this Psalm. If you are looking for technical insights, you'll be better off looking elsewhere. For example, I offer no opinion on who wrote this Psalm. I understand that there is a Jewish tradition that David did. He is certainly a likely suspect, but really, I don't know. The thoughts I'll share here are more homiletical (preaching-oriented). I'll be trying to answer the question, "What can we grab hold of from this Psalm that will help us to live better lives?" I hope I succeed.

A couple of introductory thoughts to help us better understand this literary masterpiece: The basic structure of the psalm and defining some key words:

Before you go on, take time to read the Psalm. (Note: When you get to the Bible Gateway site, you can change to the translation of your choice. I'm using the NASB.)

The Psalm consists of:

An introduction, v 1-3, and concusion, v 43

Following the introduction, there are four stanzas that speak about particular subgroups of the redeemed (v 2). We'll look  at each of these groups in future posts. For now, just note that each of these groups had fallen into some particular distress--distress severe enough to bring them to a place where they "cried out to the Lord in their trouble." (6, 13, 19, & 28). In each case the Lord "delivered/saved/brought them out of their distresses." (6, 13, 19, 28)

 As a result of this redemption each group is exhorted to "give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness." (8, 15, 21, 31)

The four groups are the:

1. Wilderness wanderers, 4-9,
2. Rebellious prisoners, 10-16,
3. Afflicted fools, 17-22, and
4. Storm-tossed mariners 23-32.

Some see verses 34-42 as a fifth group, the farmers. These verses, though, don't follow the pattern that is consistent through the four groups mentioned above. I think it is better to take this as sort of a coda, a meditation on the nature and character of God that brings about the redemption of the various people from the east, west, north, and south. He is the God Who is sovereign, and can thus bring His will to reality in our troubled world.

While the section includes the actions of people, it is full of what God does.

• "He changes . . .."
• "He makes . . .."
• "He blesses . . .."
• "He does not let . . .." 
• "He pours . . .." 
• "He sets . . .."

        What is the response to a God Who acts with such power and purpose?

        "The upright see it and are glad; But all unrighteousness shuts its mouth." (42)

Before we finish today, let's consider two words, redeemed and the Hebrew word hesed (lovingkindness in the NASB).

Who are these redeemed ones who should "say so," and, "give thanks to the LORD"?

 Included in the redeemed are:

• Jacob and all who like him have been "redeemed from evil" (Genesis 48:16)
• Those who have been led and guided by God. (Exodus 15:13)
• The ransomed. (Psalm 69:18)
• Those who have been made God's inheritance. (Psalm 74:2)
• Those over whom the Lord says, "You are mine." (Isaiah 43:1)
• Those whose transgressions have been wiped out. (Isaiah 44:22)
• The ones over whom even death does not have dominion. (Hosea 13:14, 1 Corinthians 15:55-58)

Clearly the concept takes on even greater meaning when we get to the New Testament Just look at Galatians 3:13 & 4:5.

These redeemed ones have been redeemed not by their own goodness or strength, but by the Lord Whose "lovingkindness (hesed) is forever." A survey of various translations reveals the following English renderings of this rich Hebrew word: "steadfast love," "mercy," "faithful love," "loyal love" and, "love." A bit of searching will reveal many more translations of this Hebrew word found close to 250 times in the Old Testament. At the risk of being found sloppy in my Bible interpretation, I'll say I think all of these definitions are right. An old romantic ballad declares, "Love is a many spendored thing." An old standard hymn longingly wishes for "a thousand tongues to sing my great redeemer's praise."

That's hesed. It's

• Everlasting,
• Inexhastible,
• Impossible to hinder,
• A reality that surrounds the one who trusts the Lord,
• Abundant, 
• Unceasing, and 
• Unfailing.

Note how hesed is used in Psalm 107. 

• It's at the beginning and ending, v 1 & 43.
• It's present with each of the four groups God has redeemed, v 8, 15, 21, & 31.
• It's what the wise consider as they contemplate the distresses and the deliverences of life.

That lays some groundwork for our continued thinking about this marvelous psalm. Check back.