The Redeemed Say So in Psalm 107

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble…” Psalm 107:1-2

If you’re facing loss or any kind of trouble, open your eyes to the goodness and enduring love of the Lord. He redeemed his people from trouble. He gathered—and gathers—people from the east and west and north and south. Whether wandering in deserts or hungry and thirsty, the people of God cried out in their trouble, and he delivered them. He led them to a city, a home.

Redeemed people recount and rehearse the good news and praise his name—they “say so.” They proclaim. They tell of his deeds. They relay his love to others. They testify to his goodness. Again, the redeemed say so. And today, once again, I say so, too—I give thanks for his goodness and his steadfast love.

“Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!” Psalm 107:8

We should be an eternally grateful people. Yes, even in loss and trouble. His works and his love satisfy our longings and our hunger. Yes, even in the shadow of death, in affliction, or in captivity. Even when we rebel against God’s word or reject his counsel. He is faithful to rebuke and correct, but his steadfast love is uninterrupted. Agape love is not contingent upon certain circumstances. So, his people turned and cried out in their trouble, and he delivered them out of darkness and death. He liberated his people.

We should be eternally grateful because of the wondrous works of God. Instead, some live foolishly embracing sinful paths and suffer the consequences. But God has given us, in Psalm 107, a pathway to deliverance. It is filled with instruction and guidance for our relationship with God.

“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!” Psalm 107:19-21

Trouble comes. They cry. He delivers. His word heals and delivers. They are instructed to thank God for his love and for his wondrous works. They are to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and to tell of the wondrous deeds of God through songs of joy.

Simple instruction. Profound guidance.

Yet, we make complicated the simple and profound when we do not apply faith and obedience. So, God repeats the instruction over and over in Psalm 107. We may seek other advice, but his instruction endures. We may change; God does not.

“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.” Psalm 107:28

God rules the waves of ocean waters. He commands storms and wind. He governs rivers and deserts. He rules over land and inhabitants. He establishes cities and fields and vineyards. He blesses with livestock. He is overseer of rulers, families, and flocks.

“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.” Psalm 10:31-32

This journey or cycle is repeated. They are diminished and brought low because of oppression, evil, or sorrow. God defends his people. He raises them up. He makes them prosper even in the context of pain and suffering.

We stand and watch God’s salvation. We are gladdened. Wickedness is an already defeated foe. Believe it. Bank on it. The wise considers and rests in the steadfast love of the Lord.

Therefore, let us say so!

“Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.” Psalm 107:43