psalm 107:1-8

Let the Redeemed of the LORD say So Psalm 107: 1-8

Psalm 107:1–8 NRSV

1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble 3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. 4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to an inhabited town; 5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. 6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; 7 he led them by a straight way, until they reached an inhabited town. 8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.

Most scholars agree this psalm was written in praise to the Lord for His mighty and merciful hand that brought the people back to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity. There can be little doubt it is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving. Although it was likely written during the jubilant return to Jerusalem, there is great application for all people of the Lord. It offers such anthems of praise as: Let the redeemed of the LORD say so and, Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! As we approach Thanksgiving, I pray that we too will offer praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord for His great and mighty works among us. Just as the Jews of old had reason to praise Him, we do as well. Let’s take a few moments to examine the attributes of God described by the psalmist as we consider: Let the Redeemed of the LORD say So. I. Praise for a Merciful God Consider: (1-2) – Here the psalmist speaks of the great mercies of the Lord. A. The Expression of Mercy (1a) – O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good. Here we find a reminder of the great goodness of the Lord. This is a simple statement that we all can agree with, but I wonder if we fully comprehend the depth of its meaning. Surely the people of God would have had to agree that He had been good in their lives. He had cared for them while in bondage, meeting their needs and sustaining them. He had made provision for them to return to the homeland and worship there once again. None could argue against His great goodness.  Surely we too will have to agree that God has been good in our lives. Each and every blessing we enjoy was given of His good hand. We have the privilege to worship today because of His goodness. We enjoy our health, our homes, our families, and our lives due to His goodness. None have been as good to us as God has. I am grateful for His goodness! He is worthy of our praise for His great goodness. B. The Expanse of Mercy (1b) – for his mercy endureth for ever. This is a phrase that is repeated again and again in the Psalms. Here the people are reminded of the enduring nature of God’s mercy. Even in judgment, they had enjoyed His mercies. Had they gotten what they deserved, they would’ve perished at the hands of their enemies, but God was merciful. He withheld what P a s t o r Chris Benf ield, Fel lowship Missionary Baptist Church Page 1 November 9, 2014 they rightly deserved. There had never been a time when God’s mercy wasn’t shown and His great mercy endured.  I am thankful for this expanse of mercy. I am glad it wasn’t reserved for the Jews of old, but is still being extended today. We were no better than the rebellious Jews. We were all guilty of sin and deserved the righteous judgment of God, but He offered mercy and grace instead. He withheld the judgment we had earned and through His grace offered undeserved favor. Where would any of us be had in not been for the mercy of God? When justice called, mercy answered. Rom.5:20 – Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. C. The Expense of Mercy (2) – Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy. The people were challenged to proclaim the Lord’s goodness and praise Him for the redemption He provided. They had certainly received much and were obligated to praise the Lord for His blessings.  As I considered this, I realized redemption is never cheap. It always comes at a great cost. As the people considered the deliverance of the Israelites during the Passover, they were reminded that blood was shed to escape death. No doubt there was a price paid here as well for the people to have the opportunity to return to Jerusalem. Christ Himself secured redemption for all mankind, but our redemption was very costly. Our precious Lord willing offered Himself the atoning sacrifice for sin. Just as in the Passover, blood was shed, but on the cross it was the blood of the Lamb of God.  Having received such a costly gift in salvation, the least we can do is praise the Lord for the gracious redemption provided for undeserving sinners! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so! II. Praise for a Mighty God (3-7) – Now praise is encouraged regarding the mighty power of our God and His redemption. Notice: A. He Redeemed the Wayward (3) – And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. God was faithful to gather His people, from near and far, back unto Jerusalem. Regardless of where they had been scattered due to rebellion, they were brought home and restored.  Isn’t that like our gracious Lord? We too were scattered and wayward, far from the ways of God. We had followed the lusts of our heart, but God graciously called us unto Himself! P a s t o r Chris Benf ield, Fel lowship Missionary Baptist Church Page 2 November 9, 2014 B. He Redeemed the Wanderer (4) – They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Many found themselves wandering in a wilderness journey, apart from the peace and serenity of Jerusalem. They had been led captive to a foreign land with little hope. God came to them in their wilderness and restored them.  That’s how each of us was. We too were wandering in the wilderness of sin, apart from the peace of God. We lived in despair and desperation, lacking hope and security. Thankfully the Lord came to us in our time of need and restored us through the shed blood of Christ! C. He Redeemed the Weary (5) – Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. While dwelling in captivity many of them dealt with great hunger and thirst. They no longer enjoyed the abundance of Canaan. I am sure they were hungry and thirsty physically and spiritually. They found themselves in a situation where they lacked what they needed and became weary.  Thankfully I have never experienced real physical hunger, but I have experienced spiritual hunger. I remember life before salvation. There was a time when I was hungry spiritually, thirsting after the things of God, longing to find the nourishment I desperately needed. The world was unable to provide that for me, but the Lord came and met my need. He offered me the Bread of Life and a drink from the Fountain of living water. There have been times when I have strayed since, but the Lord has always satisfied my need. D. He Redeemed the Weeping (6) – Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. Eventually the people came to the realization they had strayed from the Lord and cried out unto Him for deliverance. True to His righteous nature, God heard their pleas of despair and repentance and delivered them from their distress.  Our Lord remains faithful today. He will respond to a repentant heart in despair. I longed for peace in my heart, consumed with grief and despair. In my misery I cried out unto the Lord and He heard my cry. He came to me with arms of love, lifted me out of the miry clay of sin, cleansed me by His blood, and placed me within the family of God. He continues to hear the cries of His people. He is faithful to all who call upon His name!  He Revealed the Way (7) – And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. Each of these was led of the Lord. He came to them, meeting their needs, and did not forsake them. After supplying the need they had, the Lord guided them to the city of habitation. He continues to lead us today through His Spirit, guiding us in the right way. P a s t o r Chris Benf ield, Fel lowship Missionary Baptist Church Page 3 November 9, 2014 III. Praise for a Majestic God (8) – Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! It is interesting to note, this verse is repeated three more times in this chapter, Vv.15, 21, 31. We are challenged to praise God for: A. His Faithfulness– Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness. Again they were reminded of the goodness of God. Although it was undeserved, God had been faithful to bless them and meet their needs. We too will have to admit that God has been faithful in our lives. We are yet undeserving and He continues to bless us! B. His Favor– Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works. God was not limited in His power and He held nothing back in regard to their needs. They had encountered the wondrous favor of God. He had proven Himself gracious time and again.  We too are recipients of God’s abundant favor. His wonderful works are too numerous to count. He provided the way of salvation. Through His resurrection power we have hope and assurance of eternal life. He causes the sun to rise each day. He gives the breath we breathe and every blessing we enjoy. I am amazed and thankful for His wonderful works! C. His Forgiveness– Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! They may not have admitted it, but God had been merciful and gracious to each of them. They were in captivity due to rebellion against God. He would have been just to have left them in their bondage. However, grace was extended to sinful men. He forgave their transgressions and offered abundant grace.  Do you ever consider the grace and forgiveness He has extended to us? We were born in sin with no desire for the Lord. Our lives were lived with one objective: to satisfy the flesh. He could’ve left us in sin and refused forgiveness and grace. In His loving mercy He offered grace to the undeserving. He provided the way of redemption and reconciliation. We are blessed of the Lord! We ought to praise Him that He was willing to forgive and redeem! Conclusion: As we approach Thanksgiving, being thankful is more on our minds than usual, but we ought to be thankful every day. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. We ought to proclaim His goodness and grace from a thankful heart each day. I certainly am thankful for salvation and His continued blessing. What about you? What are you thankful for? Can you praise Him for salvation? If not, heed His call and come to Him!