Psalm 107 • My God Is My Redeemer

Psalm 107 is a psalm of trust as well as one of thanksgiving. The writer wants to motivate the Lord’s people to praise Him. So he reviews some of God’s mighty acts that are evidence of His faithful love (hesed, see Psalm 103 for the definition). God’s steadfast, promise-keeping love is at work in the different situations in which people find themselves. You just have to look and see how God responds to their specific need with what is best for them. This psalm is an application of God’s unfailing love for us frail and often foolish humans.

Tell Your Story

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, (Psalm 107:1-2)

The word “redeemed” means released from bondage to something or someone. In Psalm 107, the people needing help are “redeemed from the hand of” whatever the foe is in each situation. 

Each section of this psalm follows and similar pattern—the people in trouble, their need, their cry to the Lord, His deliverance, how He met their need, and how they should respond to His lovingkindness to them. That response incudes giving thanks to the Lord and telling their story of how God redeemed them from their trouble or enemy. 

Those Who Are Wandering

Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. (Psalm 107:4-9)

The foe in this scenario is a combination of hunger, thirst, and no place to settle God provided their basic necessities of life and led them safely to a place where they could settle—a place they could call home. Isn’t that a lovely word picture? They were looking for a home, purpose, and satisfied hearts. God satisfied their needs. I love that word “satisfies.” 

God created us a with a spiritual thirst for a relationship with Him. Only God can satisfy that thirst. He does that with Himself, now through a relationship with Jesus. Jesus invites you to come to Him. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29). 

You will no longer be a wanderer. You will find rest for your soul.

Those in Bondage

Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High. So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron. (Psalm 107:10-16)

The foe in this scenario is bondage to something because of their rebellious hearts. They despised the counsel of God so He subjected them to darkness and helpless stumbling to get their attention. In answer to their cries for help, God redeemed them from their chains and brought them out of the darkness into the light. Is any bondage too difficult for God to break? No! 

Read how every human is born into bondage and how God releases them in this blog, “Pathway #4 • Choose Whom You Will Serve.”

Those Who Are Sick

Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy. (Psalm 107:17-22)

The foe in this scenario is physical sickness and pain because of their foolish ways and sinful choices. Most illness, pain, and physical disability are not caused by intentional sin but from living in a fallen world (Genesis 3). Some sickness and pain are the consequences of intentional sin and can usually be recognized as such. 

Notice how God used His word to redeem them from their healing. This shows that spiritual nourishment can play a part in physical restoration of health. Any healing we receive from any illness is still from God as we learn in Psalm 103.

Read this article, “Psalm 103 • My God Loves Me.”

Those in Sudden Peril

Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders. (Psalm 107:23-32)

The foe in this scenario is trouble that comes upon us from no fault of our own. This would include natural disasters that God allows to happen. The people were in business—merchants who are working hard to acquire and sell goods. They were doing nothing wrong. During their normal course of business on the seas, they saw the beauty of God’s creation but also experienced the danger of high waves in a storm. 

They cried out to God to deliver them. He stilled the storm. Then, they followed His guidance to their desired haven. There, they used their social and economic platform to praise God and influence others to also praise Him.  

Read more about our redemption as believers in Jesus Christ in this article, “Redemption • Released…No Longer in Bondage.”

The Lord as the Redeemer

The rest of the psalm (verses 33-42) looks back on all the good things that God does for His people as well as what God does to get the rebellious people to turn their hearts to Him. God can use any means to do that. 

At the end of this psalm, the writer says this to us,

Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord. (Psalm 107:43)

When you are wise and heed the scenarios described here, you avoid calamity brought on by your own disobedience to the Lord. You also look for the good that He does for you. In trouble, you cry out to Him because only He can redeem you from your trouble in the right way. 

I love that my God is my redeemer. Do you love Him as your redeemer? 

Read more of our articles covering the Psalms.

Study this psalm and others in the short and easy Songs of the Heart That Light My Way Bible Study.