this week’s scripture reading, the psalmist instructs us to give thanks to the Lord and commands us to speak of what He has done for us–“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…”.
Scripture Reading for Sunday, January 26, 2025
Psalm 107 (ESV)
1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has 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 a city to dwell in; 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 till they reached a city to dwell in. 8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. 10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, 11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. 12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help. 13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. 15 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 16 For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron. 17 Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; 18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. 19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. 21 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy! 23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; 24 they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep. 25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. 26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; 27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end. 28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. 33 He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, 34 a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. 35 He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. 36 And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; 37 they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. 38 By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. 39 When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, 40 he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; 41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. 42 The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. 43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.
Reflections on Psalm 107
The psalmist gives us several examples of God’s sovereign hand in saving His people from the different trials they face in life. If we read this psalm closely enough, we can surely find one, if not more, instances where our own lives mirrored the circumstances mentioned in one way or another. If you do not see some aspect of your life reflected in this passage, then I challenge you to read it again. Either you have missed the goodness of God in your circumstances or, perhaps, you have yet to meet our great God and Savior.
Redeemed from Sin, Death, and Hell
These are truly the people of God. We have a redemption in Christ from those enemies that only He could conquer. And in the wisdom that only God could devise, Jesus came in human flesh to fulfill the law (which we could never do), to suffer and be humiliated (which we deserved), and to bleed and die as payment for sin and satisfaction of God’s wrath as the penalty sin (which were ours and ours alone).
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!
People Without Place or Provision (v4-9)
4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; 5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.
Does this reflect any of the circumstances you have faced in life? No place to call home. No food. No water. Notice that they cried out to God for help and he delivered them. You may not have been through literal homelessness or hunger (some have and can relate), but each of us can relate spiritually. For we were lost in our sins and without a spiritual home–destined for death and hell and separation from God. We were starving for His word and thirsty for the water of life.
Prisoners (v10-12)
10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, 11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. 12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.
Here is the spiritual plight of every believer before Christ. Some will know the reality of chains and prison on this earth (justly or unjustly). But for all who are being saved, we can relate to our spiritual condition before Christ as a time of rebellion against the words of God and spiritually chained to the deeds of our sinful flesh.
Fools (v17-18)
17 Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; 18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
This is an apt summary of every one of us before our salvation. For some of us, we return to these foolish ways from time to time and suffer the discipline of our loving God.
Tossed by the Storms (v23-27)
23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; 24 they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep. 25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. 26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; 27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end
Surely we have all been here at one time or another in life. Whether, like the men described here on a ship being tossed about by an angry sea, or facing some other natural disaster, we have at one time or another felt helpless and afraid at the great fury of the natural world in storms, earthquakes, floods, or fires. But we can also relate to this reality in our spiritual lives. For we often walk through the storms of suffering, temptation, and trials.
The Common Cry
No matter what circumstance you find yourself in, the common factor between all of these described by the psalmist is that they needed a savior. And each one of the redeemed did the following:
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble…
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble…
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble…
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble…
The Loving Response of a Sovereign God
And what was God’s response to the cries of His people?
and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in
and he delivered them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart
and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction
and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed
The Redeemed of the Lord Say So
For those who have been rescued by God, the only genuine response is one of gratitude, thankfulness, and praise. We cannot remain silent. The redeemed of the Lord must say so!
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
Have you been redeemed by God? Have you cried out to the Lord for help and seen the strong hand of His salvation? He is ready to save you. If you have been saved, then your heart should be filled with thanksgiving for the goodness and loving kindness of our great God. That thankfulness should then be heard as we offer sacrifices of praise to our God for all that He has done for us. Let us sing His praises in the congregation. Let us declare His wondrous works to the children of man.
Song Selection for Sunday, January 26, 2025
O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing
The redeemed of the Lord must say so. They must proclaim His deeds in the congregation and his wondrous works to the children of man. The first verse of this hymn calls for a thousand tongues to sing the praises of our great redeemer–Jesus, who bids our sorrows cease; who breaks the power of cancelled sin and sets the prisoner free!
I’m Forever Grateful
This short chorus reflects the heart of every true believer. We are indeed forever grateful for what God has done for us through Christ. He did not wait for us–for who seeks after God? But He sent his son in human flesh to die for us. And now, he draws sinners to himself. We are forever grateful for the cross.
All I Have is Christ
This song describes our hopeless situation as we lived as rebellious sinners against God. But God, being rich in mercy, saved us through Christ. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! Let us lift our praises to Him. “Hallelujah! All I Have is Christ!” Hallelujah! Jesus is my life!”
Song for Consideration
All I have Is Christ by Sovereign Grace Music
Lyrics
VERSE 1
I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still
VERSE 2
But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace
CHORUS
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life
VERSE 3
Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
O Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You
Music and words by Jordan Kauflin © 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise/BMI (adm. by Integrity Music). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Churches. All rights reserved.
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