Psalms 107 - 150 (Book Five)

Growing in Christ

"He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." Luke 24:45

Overview of Old Testament or New Testament

Links to observations drawn from other other books of the Bible

Introduction: The English term "Psalms" comes from a Greek word meaning "songs sung to the accompaniment of stringed instruments." The Psalms are collection of poems, prayers and expressions of worship with became the hymnbook of the Jewish people. 73 of the Psalms were written by David, others by Asaph, or the sons of Korah; others were written by authors whose names were not recorded. Most were written during the 10th century BC, during the times of King David and Solomon.

The Psalms include a wide range of expressions and styles. It is best to read them prayerfully to gain insight into their intent. You will notice it's Hebrew poetry is not based on rhyme or meter, but on rhythm and parallelism. Therefore you will find repetition of ideas: first by an initial expression or image, then an expansion in different terms. Because the psalms were sung we find Hebrew musical terms in the margins (the meanings of which are not known with precision) including "Selah" (pause, crescendo or musical interlude), Maskil (contemplative) and Mikhtam (epigrammatic in style).

The Psalms include those anticipating the coming of the Messiah, lament psalms crying out to God for help, testimony psalms telling others what God has done, pilgrim psalms sung by travellers on their way to Jerusalem, imprecatory psalms asking for God's judgement on the violent and unjust, penitential psalms sorrowing over sin, wisdom psalms providing guidelines for godly people, historical psalms looking back on God's dealings with His people, and nature psalms reflecting on the handiwork of God in creation.

Psalm 107

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!: Because the Lord is good, His steadfast love delivers those who, from a place were being at wits end, call on Him for help (v.1-2). When the Lord then intervenes to save, it is right that we give thanks and testify to His grace in the congregation and among the nations.

The psalmist depicts four real-life scenarios of extremity: those who are lost in a trackless wilderness (v.4-5), prisoners suffering dehumanizing forced labour (v.10-12), illness near to death (v.17-18) and sailors in a storm where even superb seamanship is of no value (v.25-27). In the 2nd and 3rd circumstances, the Lord brought troubles on those who rebelled against His word and ways to bring us to repentance(v.11 and 17), in the other two misfortune is not linked to our sin.

In all four cases those who are desperate call out to the Lord (v.6,13,19,28) and in each case God intervenes to deliver (v.6-7, 13-14, 16, 19-20, 28-30). Our response is appropriately thanksgiving (v.8, 15,21), public testimony (v.22) and songs of praise (v.22, 32).

The Lord of nature: God turns nature against those who are wicked (v.33-34), including political rulers (v.39-40). Likewise God turns nature to benefit those who repent (v.35-38), the needy (v.41) the upright (v.42) and the wise who heed his call (v.43). The wise are ever dependent on the Lord, whatever circumstances or extremities we may experience.

Personal Response: May my attitude be one of humility, trust, gratitude, praise and testimony. I will turn and cry out to the Lord, not only when I am desperate, but whenever I am aware of need or that I am uncertain what to do. I will ask for help as soon as this awareness dawns, not as a last resort.

My Prayer: Thank you Lord that you have delivered me from distress so many times. Help me turn to you instinctively, quickly and confidently on every occasion.