WHAT CAN WE SAY? (Psalm 107)

What an amazing journey we have been making through the book of Psalms. Now, we have come to the fifth and final section, called the Deuteronomy Psalms, beginning with Psalm 107 and concluding at the end of the book with Psalm 150.

The Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament is the “book of the Second Law.” That is what the word “deuteronomy” means. It is a book of repetition, remembrance, and reminders. This was when God gave the law to the children of Israel a second time in preparation for their entrance into the Promised Land.

It was a return to first principles. It was God saying to His people, “Let’s get you where you are supposed to be so you can move forward.”

That is also the emphasis of Psalm 107. This section of the book takes us back to first principles, to the truth of God’s Word. That is why you find Psalm 119, the great psalm of the Scriptures, in this section.

Overview of Psalm 107

Psalm 107 is a historical psalm. We believe it was written upon return from captivity. Think about it. Here was another generation of God’s people needing to hit the reset button. They were returning and needed to remember who God is and what He has done.

Verses 1-2: “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.”

Verses 3-43 recap the many times the people were in dire straits, having failed and lived with the consequences of their disobedience. After crying out to God, they saw His mercy and goodness once again. This is a testimony psalm, one of praise to our great God.

The opening of Psalm 107 is almost identical to that of Psalm 106, which concludes the previous section. It reminds us that every generation must learn to give thanks and praise and be reminded of our great God's goodness and mercy.

To be sure, Psalm 107 tells Israel’s story, and as you read it, you see a great deal of that nation's history. But I want to go a step further and say that Psalm 107 is my story. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, it is your story as well.

Verse 2 contains the famous expression, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” When I speak to others about giving their testimonies, I often hear, “I just don’t know what to say.” Psalm 107 tells you what to say.

Our God is good and merciful.

That is how the psalm begins, so it might be a good place for us to begin.

We are living in a world filled with evil, as sinners surrounded by other sinners, in a world that is cursed by sin. You will listen to the news for just a short time before you hear a lot of negative things, but never allow the badness around you to rob you of the goodness of God. Get your head up, get your eyes on the Lord. Remember that He is good.

The first thing Satan always wants us to question is the goodness of God. If you don’t believe me, ask Eve. It always leads to disastrous consequences.

But isn’t it also wonderful that a God who is so good would be merciful to a world of people who are so bad? It is the miracle of mercy and the gift of grace that a God who is so high and holy would love us who have been brought so low because of our sins.

That is really the story of Psalm 107. If you don’t know what to say, don’t start with you; start with God.

You have been redeemed.

The phrase “let the redeemed of the Lord say so” could not be more plain.

Have you been saved? Have you been born again of the Holy Spirit? Have you, by faith, repented of your sin and received the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?

If you have, you are redeemed. God’s redeemed people should "say so." Everyone else is speaking for their cause. Why shouldn’t the people of God?

“I know God personally because He has changed my heart. He has changed my life and my eternal destiny.” That message must get out!

God still hears and answers prayer.

This point is emphasized repeatedly in Psalm 107.

Verse 6: “Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.”

Verse 13: “Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.”

Verse 19: “Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.”

Verse 28: “Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.”

Are you getting the picture? God hears and answers our prayers because He has done so in the past. Remind yourself and your family of that fact, and then tell others.

No matter how out of control things may get in this world, our God is still in perfect control. No matter what men may do, God still hears and answers prayer.

God still shows His wonderful works.

We can say this with authority, which is often repeated in Psalm 107.

Verse 8: “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”

Verse 15: “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”

Verse 21: “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”

Verse 31: “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”

Are you getting it? A demonstration of God’s power follows repeated cycles of man’s desperation. There is an exclamation point at the end of each of those verses. I love that enthusiasm. God’s people should be an enthused people.

We should be excited about the fact that God has not left us alone. He has not forsaken us, and He is still at work in this world. If you think the devil is fighting right now…good! He does that because God is working.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.