Psalm 107 – structure

• Introduction calling God's people to praise him (v.1-3)
• Four sections illustrating this
  • Difficult circumstances of life (v.4-5; 10-12; 17-18; 23-27) – lost in desert; prison; illness; storm at sea
  • Prayer to God for deliverance (v.6; 13; 19; 28)
  • God saves them (v.7; 14; 20; 28-29)
  • A call to praise & thanksgiving (v.8-9; 15-16; 21-22; 31-32)
• Reflections on how God has worked in good times & bad, in nature & history, blessing his people (v.33-41)
• A call to learn the lessons from this (v.43)

In all circumstances

• The redeemed, gathered from exile (v.2-3)
• lost in the desert, hungry & thirsty (v.4-5)
  • innocent
• In prison, subject to hard labour (v.10-12)
  • guilty
• Ill, with no appetite, at death's door (v.17-18)
  • guilty
• In a storm at sea (v.23-27)
  • innocent
• Drought instead of water (v.33-34)

  • calamity

• Water instead of drought (v.35-36)

  • prosperity

• Harvest & increased population (v.37-38)

  • prosperity

• Exile & decreased population (v.39-40)

  • calamity

• "He lifted the needy out of their affliction & increased their families like flocks." (v.41)
• "The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths." (v.42)

Pray in all circumstances

• "They cried (out) to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered (saved) them from their distress." (v.6, 13, 19, 28)
  • "He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle." (v.7)
  • "He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke their chains." (v.14)
  • "He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave." (v.20)
  • "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." (v.29)

Pray & praise in all circumstances

• "Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men." (v.8, 15, 21, 31)
  • "For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." (v.9)
  • "For he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron." (v.16)
  • "Let them sacrifice thank-offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy." (v.22)
  • "Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders." (v.32)

Pray & praise in all circumstances

• "Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord." (v.43)
• "Give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love." (v.8, 15, 21, 31)
• "Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." (Luke 18v1)
• "Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." (Ephesians 6v18)
• "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5v16-18)
• "… always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5v20)
• "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3v17)