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Psalms 107
Psalm 107
INTRODUCTION
Psalm 107 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
Jah's response
Time to thank the Most High
1. Example One / Lost in a Wilderness
The hopeless situation
Verse 4-5 - They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. 5 - Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
The cry for help
Verse 6 - Then they cried unto Jah in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
Note this important stage towards rescue. Believers must 'cry' to Jah; they must pray for help; they must 'ask' for assistance, else they risk not getting it.
Jah's response
Verse 6-7 - … and he delivered them out of their distress. 7 - And He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Time to thank the JAH
Verse 8-9 - Oh! that men might praise Jah for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men. 9 - For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
2. Example Two / In the Shadow of Death
The hopeless situation
Verse 10-12 - Such as sit in darkness and the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; 11 - Because they rebelled against the words of jah, 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 unto JAH in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
Note again, the turning point was prayer. “Then they cried unto JAH…”
Jah's response
Verse 13-14 - … and he saved them out of their distresses. 14 - He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
Time to thank JAH
Verse 15-16 - Oh that men would praise JAH for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 16 - For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron asunder.
Note the psalmist's yearning, that men may praise Jah for His goodness. “Oh! that men would praise Jah…” he says.
3. Example Three / Afflicted because of Sin
The hopeless situation
Verse 17-18 - Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. 18 - 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 cry unto JAH in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
Jah's response
Verse 19-20 - … and he saveth them out of their distresses. 20 - He sent his word, and he healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Time to thank JAH
Verse 21 - Oh that men would praise Jah for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
4. Example Four / Ventures that go Wrong
The hopeless situation
Verse 23-27 - They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24 - these see the works of Jah, and his wonders in the deep. 25 - For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26 - They mount up to heaven, they go down again to the depths; their soul is melted because of trouble. 27 - 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 JAH in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
Jah's response
Verse 28-30 - … 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 JAH
Verse 31-32 - Oh that men would praise JAH for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 32 - 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 Jah. 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.
Jah can do anything:
He can dry up flooded areas.
Verse 33 - He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
Make barren wastes into fruitful, watered gardens.
Verse 34-37 - A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. 35 - He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings. 36 - And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation; 37 - And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
He can humble the proudest unbeliever
Verse 40 - He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
And raise up the poorest of individuals
Verse 41 - Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
When He acts the righteous are overjoyed and sinners silenced
Verse 42 - The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
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 Jah.
Verse 43 - Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of JAH.
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.
Praise Jah for His goodness!
The Mount Zion Assembly of Jah
5 Kanarick Crescent
Toronto, Ontario M3L 1P3 Canada
647-231-9466
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