Psalm 107:1-22
Q.1. How did the Psalmist view God’s faithfulness? Why was it fitting for Israel to give thanks to the Lord? – (Ps.107:1-9)
This Psalm praises God for the many deliverances of Israel throughout its history – 1 Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His lovingkindness is everlasting. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so … (Ps.107:1-2). It speaks of the nation’s redemption out of slavery in Egypt and alludes to its future regathering from the places to where she had been dispersed (Ps.107:2-3). The Psalmist then focused on different classes of people whom God had rescued: (i) refugees (Ps.107:4-9); (ii) prisoners (Ps.107:10-16); (iii) rebels (Ps.107:17-22); (iv) adventurers (Ps.107:23-32). As each person faced trouble and called out to God, He delivered them again and again. The recurring and fitting response should be – Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! (Ps.107:8, 15, 21, 31).
Q.2. How did Israel respond to God? What process did God use to restore His people? –(Ps.107:10-16)
Every class of people demonstrated that they were sinners who have regularly taken God for granted. When the refugee – 6 … cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses. 7 He led them also by a straight way, to go to an inhabited city (Ps.107:6-7). In the case of prisoners – 13 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death And broke their bands apart (Ps.107:13-14). In spite of man’s sinfulness, God, through trials, brings us back to Him. God is a God Who saves the undeserving.
Q.3. Why is it not always easy to praise God? Why is a sacrifice of thanksgiving so special to God? – (Ps.107:17-22)
Man’s pride makes it hard for him to admit that he is wrong. It is even harder to truly repent. The Psalmist urged God’s people to – 21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! 22 Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and tell of His works with joyful singing (Ps.107:21-22). We must not forget to thank the Lord for His lovingkindness. The Scriptures also speak about ‘offering sacrifices of praise’. To praise God is not always easy. There can be many losses in life that are hard to bear. However, God expects us to learn to develop such a view of His sovereign control and goodness, that we instinctively praise Him no matter what seems to be. That is the kind of sacrifice that really honours God, and of which He is worthy (c.f. Heb.13:15-16).