Psalm 107: The Song of God’s Rescue (Part Two)

Yesterday we began to consider our need of divine rescue in the dark seasons of life. Today we want to take a further look at Psalm 107, and some of the causes for the despair of life. Why not grab your Bible and take a look as the psalmist presents an encyclopedia of reasons- all directly from the life of the people of Israel, and all things that, at one level or another we can identify with.

Cause #1- Trials (vv.4-9)

This becomes the first of the descriptions of the disastrous situations from which God has rescued Israel. Notice the words the psalmist uses…

• “Wandering” (v.4)
• “Famished” (v.5)

Some see this as reference to the wilderness wanderings of the Exodus and, while that may be true, there must also be seen the present realities of the exiles longing to return to their homeland.

What is interesting for us to consider is that these  situations are the conditions that parallel the state of man without God. Lostness, hunger, thirst, loneliness are all figures used by Christ as He describes the offer of Himself–

• For the lost, He is The Way;
• For the hungry, He is the Bread of life;
• For the thirsty, He is living water;
• For the lonely, He is the constant Friend and ever-present Companion.

Their distress (v.6), and ours, is answered by the Christ Who gives rest. The scene of this psalm unites all these images together and crowns the lonely and suffering with “a city to dwell in” (v.7)- which makes the rescue lasting and significant- not just “situational first aid.” The psalmist’s appeal?

Thank Him! (vv.8-9) for His goodness, and His wonderful works! Why? Because (Psalm 104:28) He “satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with good things!” He has shown His goodness even in the trials!

Cause #2- Bondage (vv.10-16)

While the first section portrays the empty lostness of man pictured in rebellious Israel, this section describes the bondage of that lostness. The Jewish Targum sees the “iron” as reference to King Zedekiah and the nobles of Judah in exile in Babylon. The language of “darkness”, “gloom”, “shadow of death”, and irons” tries to put into words the despair of their captivity. It is the tragedy of human bondage.

The key here, however, is that their misfortune is no accident- it was the natural consequences of their intentional breach of faith with the Lord! They “rebelled” against the authority of God- even to the point where they “spurned” His Word (v.11)! Israel had defied His authority and God broke their rebellious spirit. He forced them to submit to their sovereignty by “bringing down their heart with bitter labor.” They are guilty of rebellion (v.11) which produced the chastening of God (v.12)- and no one can deliver them from that chastening except Him!

The only appropriate response to rebellion is repentance and submission- so when they respond accordingly, God removes the chastening because it has accomplished its purpose (James 5). The psalmist’s appeal?

Thank Him (vv.15-16)! The songwriter repeats the refrain that we see the character of God and His worse and give Him thanks. Why? Because He has destroyed the prison that enslaves them!

Cause #3- Sickness (vv.17-22)

It is certain that sickness is described here, but it is not sickness without blame. In v.17, the psalmist affirms that they were afflicted “because of their transgression and because of their iniquities.” It is the sickness that pictures physical chastening for sin- and what may even be the physical suffering that is the natural by-product and consequence of sin. How severe is it? They are “near the gates of death!” (v.18)

We must realize that, although perfect health is never promised to the believer, and that physical sickness is not always directly attributable to sin- the fact is that sin always results in devastated health. “Fools” here does not speak of the ignorant, but of the perverse. They are “fools” because they go astray in their love of wrong. The resulting sufferings are self-inflicted!

The tragedy is that man’s rebellion reveals how self-destructive we are- and that self-destructiveness reveals itself in our refusal to submit to God’s Word and counsel. When God then moves in rescue, it is in the face of all these things- rescuing not only the hopeless, but those who are rebels against Him! The psalmist’s appeal?

Thank Him! (vv.21-22) In that thanksgiving for His rescue, we are challenged to include the priorities of worshiping God (“sacrifice”) and witnessing to His greatness (“declare”)- for He has done great things on our behalf.

Cause #4- Storms (vv.23-32)

This describes not only our guilt and bondage, but the danger that threatens our lives- danger that comes from living life in a fallen world. The songwriter is reminding us that we are small, and engulfed by storms of life that are beyond our ability to manage effectively. In a world filled with hurricane-type pressures, we survive by God’s intervention, not our clever management. This is the key in v.27, where the word “wits” is actually “seamanship.” Translation? “All their skill was useless”- why? Because we are too small for the storms of life that overtake us. The appeal of the psalmist?

Thank Him! (vv.31-32) Exalt Him in the assembly, and praise Him before the Elders. Why? Because He has proven Himself worthy by virtue of His great deliverance from the storms of life!

Cause #5- Divine Sovereignty (vv.33-42)

What an amazing thing- God has the power to turn wasteland into fertile ground or, as was the case with Sodom, destroy the land due to the people’s sin (vv.33-34). It is His divine authority that causes Him to fill or empty, to lift up or tear down- and we do not have the right to say that we did it for ourselves!

He alone is the God that lifts up kings and tears downs kingdoms- our response is to rejoice in His sovereign will, and let Him put sin to silence by His own great hand. Tomorrow we will close with the psalmist’s call to wisdom…