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BOOK V

(Psalms 107–150)

Psalm 107

Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles

1

O give thanks to the L ord, for he is good;

for his steadfast love endures forever.

2

Let the redeemed of the L ord say so,

those he 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 an inhabited town;

5

hungry and thirsty,

their soul fainted within them.

6

Then they cried to the L ord in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress;

7

he led them by a straight way,

until they reached an inhabited town.

8

Let them thank the L ord for his steadfast love,

for his wonderful works to humankind.

9

For he satisfies the thirsty,

and the hungry he fills with good things.

 

10

Some sat in darkness and in gloom,

prisoners in misery and in irons,

11

for they had rebelled against the words of God,

and spurned the counsel of the Most High.

12

Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor;

they fell down, with no one to help.

13

Then they cried to the L ord in their trouble,

and he saved them from their distress;

14

he brought them out of darkness and gloom,

and broke their bonds asunder.

15

Let them thank the L ord for his steadfast love,

for his wonderful works to humankind.

16

For he shatters the doors of bronze,

and cuts in two the bars of iron.

 

17

Some were sick through their sinful ways,

and because of their iniquities endured affliction;

18

they loathed any kind of food,

and they drew near to the gates of death.

19

Then they cried to the L ord in their trouble,

and he saved them from their distress;

20

he sent out his word and healed them,

and delivered them from destruction.

21

Let them thank the L ord for his steadfast love,

for his wonderful works to humankind.

22

And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices,

and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.

 

23

Some went down to the sea in ships,

doing business on the mighty waters;

24

they saw the deeds of the L ord,

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 calamity;

27

they reeled and staggered like drunkards,

and were at their wits’ end.

28

Then they cried to the L ord in their trouble,

and he brought them out from their distress;

29

he made the storm be still,

and the waves of the sea were hushed.

30

Then they were glad because they had quiet,

and he brought them to their desired haven.

31

Let them thank the L ord for his steadfast love,

for his wonderful works to humankind.

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 wickedness 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 live,

and they establish a town 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 cattle decrease.

 

39

When they are diminished and brought low

through oppression, trouble, and sorrow,

40

he pours contempt on princes

and makes them wander in trackless wastes;

41

but he raises up the needy out of distress,

and makes their families like flocks.

42

The upright see it and are glad;

and all wickedness stops its mouth.

43

Let those who are wise give heed to these things,

and consider the steadfast love of the L ord.


20 He sendeth his word. Again, in saying that they are delivered from destruction, the prophet shows that he is here alluding to those diseases which, in the opinion of men, are incurable, and from which few are delivered. Besides, he contrasts God’s assistance with all the remedies which are in the power of man to apply; as if he should say, that their disease having baffled the skill of earthly physicians, their recovery has been entirely owing to the exertion of God’s power. It is proper also to notice the manner in which their recovery is effected; God has but to will it, or to speak the word, and instantly all diseases, and even death itself, are expelled. I do not regard this as exclusively referring to the faithful, as many expositors do. I own, indeed, that it is of comparatively little consequence to us to be the subjects of bodily care, if our souls still remain unsanctified by the word of God; and hence it is the intention of the prophet that we consider the mercy of God as extending to the evil and unthankful. The meaning of the passage, therefore, is, that diseases neither come upon us by chance, nor are to be ascribed to natural causes alone, but are to be viewed as God’s messengers executing his commands; so that we must believe that the same person that sent them can easily remove them, and for this purpose he has only to speak the word. And since we now perceive the drift of the passage, we ought to attend to the very appropriate analogy contained in it. Corporeal maladies are not removed except by the word or command of God, much less are men’s souls restored to the enjoyment of spiritual life, except this word be apprehended by faith.

And let them sacrifice This clause is subjoined by way of explanation, the more strongly to express how God is robbed of his due, if in the matter of sacrifice his providence be not recognised. Even nature itself teaches that some kind of homage and reverence is due to God; this is acknowledged by the heathens themselves, who have no other instructor than nature. We know too, that the practice of offering sacrifices has obtained among all nations; and doubtless it was by the observance of this ritual, that God designed to preserve in the human family some sense of piety and religion. To acknowledge the bounty and beneficence of God, is the most acceptable sacrifice which can be presented to him; to this subject, therefore, the prophet intends to recall the attention of the insensate and indifferent portion of men. I do not deny that there may be also an allusion to the ceremonial law; but inasmuch as in the world at large sacrifices formed part of the religious exercises, he charges those with ingratitude, who, after having escaped from some imminent peril, forget to celebrate the praises of their Great Deliverer.


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