Psalms 107:1-43 - Homilies By C. Short

God's watchful care.

"Whatever the circumstances under which the psalm was written, there can be no doubt as to the great lesson which it inculcates"—that God watches over men, and his ear is open to their prayers. Look at some illustrations.

I. GOD HAD ANSWERED THE CRY OF THE JEWS IN EXILE , AND RESTORED THEM TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY . ( Psalms 107:2 , Psalms 107:8 , Psalms 107:9 .) They were called on to give thanks for thou wonders, and to remember that "he filleth the hungry soul with good." God is working toward the deliverance of all enslaved nations. This thought is amplified in Psalms 107:10-16 , with special reference to the sins that had plunged them into such helpless affliction, and therefore how much they should praise God for loving-kindness!

II. THE EMPHATIC THOUGHT IN , Psalms 107:17-22 IS THAT GOD DELIVERS WICKED MEN , WHEN THEY CALL UPON HIM , OUT OF THE VERY SHADOWS OF DEATH . God pities transgressors, and loves them with an infinite compassion in their terrors and sufferings. He sendeth his word—the message of his mercy—and healeth them; delivers them "from their graves."

III. Another example: HE DELIVERS THE SAILOR . FROM THE STORMS OF THE SEA . ( Psalms 107:23-32 .) Wonderful description of a storm and its subsidence. "Then are they glad because they be quiet, and he leadeth them to their desired haven." The psalmist is writing poetry under the inspiration of a devout faith; and not science, discussing the unchangeable laws of material nature. The preacher must do his utmost to reconcile poetry and science in the theology he teaches.

IV. Now the current of thought changes its direction, but only for a moment. GOD SOMETIMES MAKES THE WICKED AN EXAMPLE OF HIS TEMPORAL JUDGMENTS . ( Psalms 107:33 , Psalms 107:34 .) But this thought is uncongenial, and is soon changed again for the thought of God's mercy. The wilderness is crowned with cities; and the poor and humble are raised to the condition of princes, and the rich and the proud overthrown. The question at the close most suggestive, that it is only the observant and the wise that can understand the loving-kindnesses of God; only they that can approach to the solution of the great problems of God's providence.—S.