United Commentaries

Ps.107.1-43

This psalm is a hymn of praise to God the Redeemer. After an introduction exhorting the redeemed to praise God for his goodness (107:1-3), the psalmist brings together four case studies of people whom the Lord redeemed from adversity (107:4-32). He then sums up the Lord’s sovereignty (107:33-42) and concludes with an invitation to discern God’s unfailing love in all areas of life (107:43).

Ps.107.2

The redeemed might be all who came out of exile.

Ps.107.3

exiles: People came from all nations where the people of Israel and Judah had been scattered.

Ps.107.4-9

Those who were lost in the wilderness thank God for his rescue. The wilderness might be a metaphor for leaving the path of wisdom (1:1; Prov 4:10-15).

Ps.107.6

The psalmist does not specify the occasion of his trouble and distress. The generic nature of the adversity permits readers in a variety of circumstances to identify with the laments.

Ps.107.7-8

God led them like a shepherd (see 23:1).

Verse 8 is a refrain that is repeated in 107:15, 21, 31.

Ps.107.10-16

The psalmist calls for thanksgiving and praise from people in despair over the consequences of their rebellion.

Ps.107.11

God’s counsel includes his instruction and will.

Ps.107.12

Exhausted by their hard labor (Lam 5:13), the people fell. While this might be expected of the wicked (Pss 9:3; 27:2), it was unlike the Israelites’ flight from Egypt (105:37).

Ps.107.17-22

Fools who received what they deserved but were rescued from death offer thanksgiving to the Lord.

Ps.107.20

The Lord creates (Gen 1:3) and sustains the universe (Heb 1:3) simply by speaking (Ps 147:18); when he speaks, people are also healed (Matt 8:8).

Ps.107.23-32

Sailors give thanks to the Lord when he saves them from the chaos and peril of the sea.

Ps.107.25-29

The same God who speaks and brings about the sailors’ distress can also calm the storm with just a word (cp. Jon 1:4; Matt 8:26).

Ps.107.32

This call for public praise expands the refrains in 107:21-22 and 107:31.

Ps.107.33-42

These two sections (107:33-38, 39-42) expand the theme of the Lord’s sovereignty over things that humans cannot control.

Ps.107.33-35

The Lord can choose to make the earth fertile or barren (74:15; Isa 35:6-7).

Ps.107.38

God’s presence can be seen in the abundance of his people’s families and herds (127:3; 133:3; cp. 109:8).

Ps.107.39

People often become impoverished when their rulers practice oppression.

Ps.107.40

In his contempt for human rulers, the Lord rectifies their corruption on earth.

Ps.107.41

The large families of the poor are evidence of God’s blessing.

Ps.107.42-43

Justice prevails in God’s world (1:6), and Israel’s history demonstrates God’s faithful love.