When was the last time you felt helpless? Not many of us remember ourselves as tiny infants who were completely helpless. But we were. It is good to acknowledge those who looked out for our interests while we were helpless. For some of us the relationships with our families are bountiful and loving. Others, though, are troubled. These troubles can come from simply the loss of our parents, or it can come from disruptive relationships. But for each one of us someone was there when we were helpless. Perhaps that was a single father or an aunt or cousins or neighbors or teachers. But someone was there when we were helpless. It is good to remember these people and be thankful. For without them we would not be here listening to the word of God today.
There is a great Psalm that I would invite us to walk through today. Psalm 107 is a corporate worship poem with tremendous truths to ponder God’s redemption as well as charges to be thankful. It contains four stories of God’s intervention in the lives of people for their good and His glory. It is a psalm of great reversals. Craig Keener wrote: “In the world-upside down motif, all that is considered most consistent and reliable is jeopardized.”[1] This psalm points us to a solution outside of ourselves in those disquieting times. It is a psalm remembering points of helplessness counterpointed with jubilant thanksgiving and celebration.
These four stories are more generalized to the human condition and likely not representative of specific stories in the Old Testament. Certainly, there were shared collective memories of specific situations, but this psalm is one designed to bring people together in praise and worship of the One who redeems.
There are patterns and refrains in this psalm that give examples of the need for redemption and thanksgiving and praise for God’s redemptive work. As we go through this psalm, I want you to tie your particular stories of redemption to the general stories to help you remember how God has helped you when you were helpless. Or if you have need of redemption, your story can start here.
The psalm begins with a straightforward admonition that guides the purpose of the entire work. v. 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Whether you have acknowledged God as your Helper and Redeemer or not, this psalm states quite plainly that God is good and filled with never-ending love. This is the source of God’s redemptive work.
The second section of this psalm, verses 2-3, instruct the listeners in the congregation to action.
Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south.
Here the worship leader is calling out for stories—real stories—of the redeemed. Let them tell! We see here that God’s reach is not limited. His great hands can go to the furthest experiences and places to redeem anyone. It is interesting that some of the translations of this text replace “south” with “sea” which can be seen as a deliberate set up for one of the stories in this psalm.
Are you ready for the first story of redemption? Let’s read Psalm 107:4-9.
4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
5 They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
It might be easy to lay blame on the people represented in this section. But there is no indication of blame. There is simply the helpless situation that required redemptive work. Any quick review of human history on this globe reveals that groups of people have had to seek sustenance for a variety of reasons: famine, war, persecution, violence, extreme weather and more. This psalm describes the outcome of such desperation: hunger, thirst and the reduction of life to absolute helplessness.
In verse 6 we see the dependent relationship expressed: Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble. In times of absolute helplessness, it is in the nature of human beings to cry out. Just as an infant awakens in the night full of hunger and cries out for what it needs. Then an attentive parent or caregiver responds. I have a sense that for a person who knows little or nothing of God they will still cry out for help, not even knowing who they are crying out for. Then God answers.
The next part of that verse is the cause of thanksgiving: and he delivered them from their distress. Be sure to know that when you call out to God, he will deliver you from your distress. It may not be in the way you hope or desire, but he will deliver you as you put your trust in him. Watch for this call and response phrase as we move through the psalm.
How did God redeem this terrible situation? He led them by a straight way to the resources they needed. A straight way is one that is safe and sure and a direct path to redemption. When we ponder the leading direction and redeeming work of God in our lives, we can look back to see how God has guided us through perilous journeys. And then we are thankful.
The worship leader then gives the congregation the action to take—which we will see in the next three stories. “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for humankind.” Are you giving thanks yet?
The second story demonstrates a more specific kind of trouble that is based on the rebellious actions of people. Let’s read verses 10-12.
10 Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 because they rebelled against God’s commands
and despised the plans of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
Not everyone who is imprisoned is there by their rebellion. But for those who are, might it not feel impossible for redemption to come? God’s laws, both natural and spiritual, are designed for our good. They keep us from self-imposed darkness. So, when someone decides against God and his guidance there is great trouble ahead. As we hear of the rebellious and how they are “getting away with things” let’s be mindful that their judgment is coming. And when it comes, rather than being vindictive, God in his great love extends mercy that few of us are willing to extend. At that point each person bound in literal chains or the chains of addiction, revenge, lust, or greed has an opportunity. They can call out for help from their helpless situation.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
God is always listening—always! Staying alert and on the ready to redeem those who call out to him. Oh, that those who are bound to self-reliance would call out to God! It only takes a moment to turn from self to God. But it can be the most difficult moment of a person’s life. That battle for self-sovereignty is a tremendous battle. But when it is surrendered freedom is instantaneous.
14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for humankind,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.
I want to tell you my prison story. I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior in the fifth grade. I was at a children’s summer camp and when the preacher gave the invitation, I knelt at an old piano bench and decided for Jesus. I felt a great sense of relief, peace and a quiet and sure joy. I recall the sunlight pouring through a window onto that bench and onto the dusty camp floor. From that point on I became committed to learning God’s word, memorized scripture verses given to me in Sunday School and grew in my knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Many years later I had a great group of Christian friends in High School. We had so much fun and it was a great consolation to be part of a group of crazy teens who really loved the Lord. I remember one night in particular when I was in my basement room. I could look up through the window well into the dark Montana sky. I could see a few stars and had a sudden and deep understanding of the majesty and glory of God. I wanted more of him. I remember giving my whole self to him again, but now in a more complete way. In our tradition we call this sanctification, being set apart wholly to God. Things changed for me then. I was consumed with reading the Bible and could not put it down. I read one chapter in the morning and the same chapter in the evening, absorbing all I could and growing spiritually more and more.
After High School I went to a Christian college and benefitted from the many chapel services and a great chaplain who guided us into spiritual heights that forever transformed me into longing more for Christ. Now, I had my doubts during college for sure. I believe that the path through doubt is an important part of the Christian journey. But thanks be to God for his wonderful patience and kindness, I came through that doubt to a brighter side of life in Him.
I worked at my alma mater for a good number of years after graduation and enjoyed my time in young adult group that decided to have a Bible Study. That was a formation time of iron sharpening iron. We had a lot of fun, helped each other move about the city probably several hundred times and we grew more and more.
But I had something going on inside. I had a dark core that was always hanging in my heart. As I was maturing spiritually, I became more and more aware of it. One night I became very restless and could not sleep. Then God revealed to me a most horrifying image. It was of a large mass of bloody resentment and hatred. Many times in our lives when we face great difficulties, we are offered the opportunity to turn pain into resentment and that can grow into hatred. I was, frankly shocked by what I saw. I thought I was doing great. Indeed, I had been growing spiritually and maturing as a Christian and a person, but something was holding me back, I was imprisoned by hatred.
I remember the Lord speaking to me very clearly, “I want you to give that me.” I was stunned. I could not image giving that to my precious Lord. It was too horrible of a gift. Many times through the night he asked me to give it to him. But I struggled even further recognizing that I somehow cherished this hatred. It fueled my energy and gave me drive. Somewhere along life’s road I had decided it was mine to do with what I wanted. That, my friends, is prison. And the Lord knew I needed to be freed.
Somewhere around sunrise, I finally gave it to him, weeping and sorrowful. What came next was entirely unexpected—a sweet sense of joy and finally rest, real spiritual rest. My precious Lord, having died on the cross for my sin, was willing to take the ugliest part of me and redeem it for freedom and peace. I give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for me and all humankind.
I imagine that there are some here today who feel that it is impossible to be free. Or perhaps there is someone in your life that you have given up on. Be sure to know that God does not give up. He longs to bring people out of darkness—utter darkness—into his wonderful Light. He breaks all chains, all gates, all bars by just a word. Everything that is fashioned by evil to hold down the needy can be broken, tossed aside, and dissolved by God’s great love and redemption. Everything. So, Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love!
The next story is of a different nature as well. It deals with illness brought about by foolishness and wickedness.
17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
18 They loathed all food
and drew near the gates of death.
Here, like the last story, are dire consequences because of not living as God would have people to live. The combination of foolishness and rebellion are great and do, in fact, lead to death. Yet even at death’s door God’s redemptive work is offered. I recall a time when a family asked me to serve communion to their dying brother. He had lived a life of reckless and rebellious behavior and was suffering deeply as he neared death. For decades they had prayed for him and loved him without fail. On his deathbed he had reconciled with God and asked to take communion. Oh, what a remarkable privilege that was to offer the sacraments to a man whose life was redeemed just days before he passed.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for humankind.
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.
Here the salvation from the grave was an ever-lasting salvation after death. There is no need to fear death when the Redeemer of the world is saving us from our distress. While some recover remarkably in this present human realm, there is another greater kingdom where Jesus Christ reigns forever and we who love and worship him will dwell. As we survive the helpless situations of this life, let us give the sacrifices of thanksgiving for what God has done.
A sacrifice of thanksgiving is a deliberate pause in time—time, which some of us feel is so much more valuable than praise—to honor and glorify the One who redeems us from all of our troubles. Joy takes time, you know. We have to stop, as we do in gathering for services or devote time focused on God in private ways, to give real thanksgiving. So let us give thanks in joy for the freedom from the grave! And then tell others the Good News.
Our next story takes us to a place not many of us land-locked people know of—the sea. But few of us have not been subject to the powers of nature in tornadoes, torrential rains, fires, earthquakes and such. Here also is a situation that requires redemption. Keep in mind that, as Craig Keener describes, “the sea was the most powerful image of uncontrolled chaos known to the ancient world.”[2]
23 Some went out on the sea in ships;
they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24 They saw the works of the Lord,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
they were at their wits’ end.
There is no indication that there was anything wrong that these merchants were doing. They were simply on the job. They represent people who spend their life on the seas and oceans of the world, in awe of the vast numbers of sea creatures, and respectful of the power of storms and water. Here this story graphically describes the terrifying height, power and strength of the waves.
This brought to mind the incident in Mark 4:35-41 where the disciples begin to reckon with who Jesus really is. Let’s go there first.
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side. [of the sea of Galilee]” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Even those who spend their lives on the sea face times where there is absolute helplessness. And there are times when God’s nature demonstrates His power. It should humble us as it does them. And what were the disciples’ and the sea merchant’s responses in the Psalm? Terror and…Psalm 107:28: “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble.” God is not resentful of our need for Him. He does not grow weary or faint. He is not perturbed when we “interrupt” his revery. He is always listening for the cry for help. And he is always able and willing to help us in any situation requiring redemption.
v.30b … and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for humankind.
32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
and praise him in the council of the elders.
Let them, let us, praise God for what he has done!
But, oh, there’s more! It’s as if the writers of this psalm just could not stop the pondering and proclamation of God’s great reversals, his absolute power and continual love and grace. Here the psalm shifts to groups of people who are in a variety of situations, our fourth story.
33 He turned rivers into a desert,
flowing springs into thirsty ground,
34 and fruitful land into a salt waste,
because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
There are broad consequences for wickedness, and God’s continual works of redemption act throughout. Here is another great redemptive reversal!
35 He turned the desert into pools of water
and the parched ground into flowing springs;
36 there he brought the hungry to live,
and they founded a city where they could settle.
37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards
that yielded a fruitful harvest;
38 he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,
and he did not let their herds diminish.
The scope of this story broadens to what appears to be the outcome of other points of helplessness.
39 Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled
by oppression, calamity and sorrow;
40 he who pours contempt on nobles
made them wander in a trackless waste.
41 But he lifted the needy out of their affliction
and increased their families like flocks.
And now we come to the end of the representative stories in this psalm. There are two final verses that are very important now.
42 The upright see and rejoice,
but all the wicked shut their mouths.
43 Let the one who is wise heed these things
and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.
Have you pondered your particular stories of God’s redemptive work? If you must be silent about your stories, perhaps you need to cry out to the Lord and see what he can and will do for you. In the meantime, Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.
Amen
© M.R.Hyde 2026
