"Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so"
Psalm 107
Introduction
Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so
Proposition
God has summoned us Here to Give Him Thanks.
We can join in the saints of old as we Thank God for All He has Done.
Proposition #2
When we continually thank God for what he as done, we will gain confidence that He is able to do again and again and again.
Background to Psalm 107: A song by Jews thanking God for redeeming and restoring Israel. Probably written after the Babylonian deliverance
Psalm of desperation - Psalm of summons to give thanks from people who have been in desperate situations.
This is a summons to Thank God and Him alone for His Goodness
Summons 1,8,15,21,31
Verse 1
Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good:
Verse 8
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness,
Verse 15
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness,
Verse 21
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness,
Verse 31
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness,
From whom should the Thanks come from is answered: Verse 2
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so
Why - The Lord the source of everything good
Structure of Psalm 107 – verses 1-3 Opening call 1-3
• The psalm has four illustrations of how the Lord delivers sinful people out of manifold troubles.
Illustration #1 People lost in the wilderness (v. 4-9)
Illustration #2 A prisoner in jail (v. 10-16)
Illustration #3 Sick people (v 17-22)
Illustration #4 People on a stormy sea(23-31)
• Each Illustration has related thematic Quadruplets
• The First quadruplet highlights a serious and of life threatening Problem – A predicament mainly due to rebellion or leaning to their own understanding.
• The Second quadruplet is a Plea to God for deliverance.
• The Third is Pardon from God in response to their Plea.
• The Fourth is a Praise of Thanksgiving to God of His Hesed in the Hebrew (Grace & Mercy)
• Next The rest of the reiterates or gives more examples of God’s goodness and closes with a challenge to everyone to examine what God has done for you and lovingkindness will be evident.
I.The Quad of Problems
Illustration #1 People lost in the wilderness (v. 4-5)
How serious was the problem?
Verse 4
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. 5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
Theme: Lost, Starving, Frustrated, Restless and Hopeless (Lost in a Hot Hot Desert with no food)
Illustration #2 A prisoner in jail (v. 10-12)
Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; 11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: 12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
Illustration #3 Sick people (v 17-18)
17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. 18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
Illustration #4 People on a stormy sea (v. 23-27)
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. 25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end
II. The Quad of Pleas
Illustration #1 People lost in the wilderness (v. 6a)
Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble,
Illustration #2 A prisoner in jail (v. 13)
Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
Illustration #3 Sick people (v 19)
19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
Illustration #4 People on a stormy sea(28)
. 28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
III. The Quad of Pardons
Illustration #1 People lost in the wilderness (v. 6b)
and he delivered them out of their distresses. 7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Illustration #2 A prisoner in jail (v. 14)
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. 15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
Illustration #3 Sick people (v 20)
20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Illustration #4 People on a stormy sea (verse 29)
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
IV. The Quad of Praise
Illustration #1 People lost in the wilderness (v. 8)
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Illustration #2 A prisoner in jail (v. 15)
15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
Illustration #3 Sick people (v 21-22)
21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
Illustration #4 People on a stormy sea(30-31)
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Closing
It in Jerusalem it is believed that the Priest would summons all of the redeemed together he selectively would call out various people who once had serious Problems that had through their crying out to the Lord, He delivered them and now they would be in the temple for one reason only and that was to Thank God for His Goodness.