HE RESCUED THOSE WHO CRIED OUT

Psalm 107:17-43 / Keywords 107:20

He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.

 

107:17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways

    and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.

18 They loathed all food

    and drew near the gates of death.

19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

    and he saved them from their distress.

20 He sent out his word and healed them;

    he rescued them from the grave.

21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

    and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings

    and tell of his works with songs of joy.

23 Some went out on the sea in ships;

    they were merchants on the mighty waters.

24 They saw the works of the Lord,

    his wonderful deeds in the deep.

25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest

    that lifted high the waves.

26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;

    in their peril their courage melted away.

27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;

    they were at their wits’ end.

28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

    and he brought them out of their distress.

29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;

    the waves of the sea[b] were hushed.

30 They were glad when it grew calm,

    and he guided them to their desired haven.

31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

    and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people

    and praise him in the council of the elders.

33 He turned rivers into a desert,

    flowing springs into thirsty ground,

34 and fruitful land into a salt waste,

    because of the wickedness of those who lived there.

35 He turned the desert into pools of water

    and the parched ground into flowing springs;

36 there he brought the hungry to live,

    and they founded a city where they could settle.

37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards

    that yielded a fruitful harvest;

38 he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,

    and he did not let their herds diminish.

39 Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled

    by oppression, calamity and sorrow;

40 he who pours contempt on nobles

    made them wander in a trackless waste.

41 But he lifted the needy out of their affliction

    and increased their families like flocks.

42 The upright see and rejoice,

    but all the wicked shut their mouths.

43 Let the one who is wise heed these things

    and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

Footnotes

b. Psalm 107:29 Dead Sea Scrolls; Masoretic Text / their waves

1. The third group of people described by the Psalmist whom the LORD delivers is those who fall into trouble because of their own sins (17-18). We might say that such people deserve whatever they get. Yet, the LORD saves and delivers them anyway when they cry out to him (19-20). In fact, we are all sinners and God’s salvation is something we did not deserve. Our hearts can overflow with gratitude because we were rescued from trouble and we did not get what our sins deserve (21-22).

 

2. The fourth group of people saved by the LORD is seafaring merchants who encountered a devastating storm at sea that made them feel utterly powerless and hopeless (23-27). Our life’s journey can be described as such a voyage, and the troubles in life are like storms that threaten to overwhelm us. But God can calm the storm when we cry out to him, and guide us safely to our destination— even the kingdom of heaven (28-30). Finally, the psalmist describes how God transforms the environment to bless his people, especially the needy who where formerly oppressed. By pondering God’s mighty interventions, we can experience inner joy and rest in God’s goodness.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for all the ways you have answered your people’s prayer and saved them. Help me not doubt your mighty power to change things.

One Word God acts when we cry out for mercy