Jim Gallagher

Psalm 107:1
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

The evolution of love is seen in the relationship between children and parents. An infant child cannot survive on his own and is completely dependent upon the mercy, grace and love of the parents. In a proper relationship the parents give time, energy, even sleep for the benefit of the child. As the relationship develops so does the love, it is not long before the parents begin to see the return in their investment. I can remember being so excited when my children began to smile and laugh, or when they would crawl across the room only to get up on my lap and snuggle. What a joy! Just this week I received messages from each of my boys expressing Father’s Day wishes in their own humorous ways. Our relationship has become one of an exchange of love. This Psalm is an illustration of that kind of love relationship with God. The Psalmist cries out with thankful praise as a response to what God has done for them. Paul used an interesting word for thanks when writing to Timothy, he said “Thanks be to God…” and the word he used was “karis” which is the word used to speak of God’s giving nature. Because of the grace we have received from the Lord, we give grace back to Him.

The Psalmist describes here that exchange of grace and thanksgiving.

He recalls the history of God’s people and reminds them of all that God has done for them. The list includes being redeemed, provided for, delivered, protected, forgiven, and comforted in the storms of life. Sprinkled throughout the Psalm is a continued exhortation;

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!”

Perhaps it would be of great value to our love relationship with the Lord if we took time to recall to mind all that God has done for us and respond in thankful praise.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 107

1. This psalm is a meditation on how good it would be for people to give God the praise and thanksgiving that He truly deserves.  Consider verses 1-2, 8, 15, 21, and 31-32.  After each of these statements, the psalmist makes the case for why men should give love and worship to God.  Do you take time to consider the many ways that He is good?  Does genuine unforced praise come from your heart to God?
2. Look at verses 2-5.  What was the state of these people?  What did they do (verse 6)?  What did God do?
3. Look at verses 9-12.  What is the condition of the people described here?  Is this condition their fault?  What do they do (verse 13)?  What does God do?
4. Look at verses 16-18.  What distress is this group of people facing?  What do they do (verse 19)?  How does God respond?
5. Look at verses 23-27.  What are these people facing?  What do they do (verse 28)?  What does God do?  Check out Mark 4:36-41.  Although we may not be in a physical storm, our lives can be stormy in other ways.
6. Do you follow the pattern of this psalm?  When you are in trouble do you from your heart turn to the Lord?

Old Testament:
Psalm 108- Count On The Promises Of God
1 Chronicles 12- Heroes In Training
1 Chronicles 13– God’s Way