Redeemed from Exile! (Ps. 107)

Today we are starting a series on Book 5 of the Psalms. Psalms 104-106 conclude Book 4
with a series of historical Psalms that recount the history of God’s people from Creation to the Exile.

Many have noticed that Psalm 107 fits well with this pattern – as Psalm 107 is all about return from Exile.

Just like Psalm 89 (at the end of Book 3), Psalm 106 (at the end of Book 4) states the problem that still remains:

"Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise."

Book 4 recognizes that the exile isn’t over yet – we have seen the hand of God in the midst of the exile – so we know that the LORD reigns – that his rule is over all things.

But we are still waiting...

And so Book 5 begins with Psalm 107 – a song that answers Psalm 106 – Psalm 106 ended "Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise."

Psalm 107 begins: "Oh give thanks to the LORD, for his is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south."

And then the four stories of Psalm 107 all speak of the LORD’s deliverance – and calls the people of God to "thank the LORD for his steadfast love."