Psalm 107 Part 2 

The psalm begins with a call to give thanks, v2 gives us the basis for that gratitude. The cry of Ps106:47 had been answered and answered prayer should always flower into praise. It is not enough to feel gratitude; we must express it! The ‘chesed’ word is salted all through this psalm – here it ‘endures forever’ (v1). This repeated phrase has a liturgical quality. It is an appreciative declaration from God’s people, praising the great lovingkindness –covenant love – of God. ‘His lovingkindness is everlasting.’ (NASB) That unfailing love (RSV) had no beginning, and shall never know an end. Notice the refrain that occurs in each stanza of the 4 journey’s v8,15,21, & 31.

The Hebrew word ‘redeemed’ is ‘goel’. Best illustrated by the story of Ruth. It involved a person who as the nearest relative of another who is charged with the duty of restoring the rights of another and avenging their wrongs. God is called the redeemer (goel) of Israel, as God redeems his people from captivity; the context shows that the redemption also involves moving on to something greater. The goel was responsible for restoring a lost inheritance.  For us, the goel is applied to Christ, who redeems his believers from all evil by offering Himself as the Passover Lamb.

The psalmist will describe four distinct aspects of God’s redemption rescue – to the lost, to the guilty, to the sick, and to the storm-tossed. All had been ‘redeemed from the hand of the adversary’(NASB). We might be redeemed from the world, the flesh, the devil, or countless other snares. Here, the psalmist has in mind redemption from exile, ‘gathered from the lands’ of captivity in all directions of the compass (v3).  

As we consider the four pictures in this psalm we must remember that we must all take the journey on land or sea. On the land, it is often torturous and we need a guide. On the sea, it is often tempestuous and we need a captain. Jesus is both and he will bring us to our goal and to the harbour. It is good to know God is in control of the universe!