SBS Sermon Notes

Psalm 107

"The Psalms number 150. They are divided into 5 books, in imitation it is thought, of the fivefold division of the Pentateuch; this division is ancient. These books begin respectively with Psalm 1; 42; 73; 90; 107. Each book is attributed to close with a doxology.

In the first book all the Psalms are attributed to David except 4 (Psalm 1; 2; 10; 33). These are so-called orphan Psalms; that is, they are anonymous.
In the second book, of the 31 psalms the first 8 are a collection of songs of the Sons of Korah. Seven are expressly ascribed to them; and Psalm 43, whether written by them or not was composed as a conclusion of psalm 42. This group is followed by a Psalm of Asaph. Then comes a group of 20 Psalms attributed to David with the exception of 2 (Psalm 66; 67) .... The book closes with an anonymous and a Solomonic psalm (Psalm 71; 72) In this book the divine name prevailing is Elohim God; and 2 psalms duplicate 2 of the 1st book, substituting the word God for Jehovah (Psalm 53; 70)
The third book contains 17 psalms. The first 11 are attributed to Asaph, 4 to the sons of Korah, and 1 each to David and Ethan. This collection of psalms was gathered after the destruction of Jerusalem and burning of the Temple (Psa.74: 3, 7, 8; 79:1).
The 4th book likewise contains 17 psalms. The 1st is ascribed to Moses, 2 to David, and the remaining 11 are anonymous...
The 5th book contains 28 anonymous psalms, while 15 are assigned to David and 1 to Solomon ... It will be seen that the composition of the psalms ranges over a long period of time. That David was the author of the Psalms is supported by abundant early testimony, direct and indirect."

(Westminster Dictionary of the Bible)

As you will see from the above quotation Psalm 107 is the first psalm from book 5. It is a spiritual song of immeasurable worth. It contains 4 examples of deliverance each of which is described in the following 4 stages:

The hopeless situation

The cry for help

Yahweh's response

Time to thank the Most High

1. Example One / Lost in a Wilderness

The hopeless situation
verses 4-5	They wandered in the wilderness, lost, hungry and thirsty.
The cry for help
verse 6	Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. Note this important stage towards rescue. Believers must 'cry' to the LORD; they must pray for help; they must 'ask' for assistance, else they risk not getting it.
Yahweh's response
verses 6-7	...and He delivered them out of their distress. And He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Time to thank the Most High
verses 8-9	Oh! that men might praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men. For He satisfieth* the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.*

2. Example Two / In the Shadow of Death

The hopeless situation
verses 10	Such as sit in darkness and the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; 11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned (spurned) the council of the Most High. 12 Therefore He brought down their heart with labour; they fell down and there was none to help.
The cry for help
verse 13	Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble... Note again this turning point was prayer. *Then* they cried...
Yahweh's response
verses 13-14	... And he saved them out of their distresses.
Time to thank the Most High
verses 15-16	Oh! that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron asunder. Note the psalmist's yearning that men may praise the LORD for His goodness. *Oh!* that men would praise the LORD he says.

3. Example Three / Afflicted because of Sin

The hopeless situation
verse 17	Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhoreth all manner of meat (food); and they draw near unto the gates of death.
The cry for help
verse 19	Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble.
Yahweh's Response
verses 19-20	... And he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and he healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Time to thank the Most High
verse 21	Oh! that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.

4. Example Four / Ventures that go Wrong

The hopeless situation
verses 23-26	They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; they see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep ... They mount up to heaven, they go down again to the depths; their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits end!
The cry for help
verse 28	Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble
Yahweh's response
verse 28	... And he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 30 Then they are glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them into their desired haven.
Time to thank the Most High
verses 31-32	Oh! that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assemblies of the elders.

5. Conclusions

All things are possible with Yahweh. He can rescue from the very worst circumstance all who turn to Him for help. All they have to do is cry for help; and when it comes - as it surely will - they must give Him the glory so that others may know where to find deliverance when in trouble.

Yahweh can do anything:

verse 33	He can dry up flooded areas
34-37	Make barren wastes into fruitful, watered gardens
38	Bless His people till they and their cattle multiply greatly
40	He can humble the proudest unbeliever
41	And raise up the poorest of individuals
42	When He acts the righteous are overjoyed and sinners silenced
43	Whoso is wise ( if there be any truly wise) will observe and heed these things; and they will diligently consider the mercy and loving kindness of the LORD.

Like a spiritual First Aid kit the message of this psalm should be held in readiness throughout life by believer and unbeliever alike; for it covers every emergency the sons and daughters of men will ever be called upon to meet.
Whoso is wise will observe and heed these things. In other words, the truly wise person will examine and recognise the unsearchable riches of this great psalm. We recommend it to you for study and application.

MLC Sermon Notes Other sermons based on a Psalm

July 1999
MatanYah Learning Centre, Duiwelskloof, South Africa

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