Week 7

Psalm 107 … Thankfully pondering God's steadfast love

Summer is a fitting time to step back and enjoy the many ways God's steadfast love fills our lives! The earth is filled with the beauty of growing things, the light of the sun warms us, restful waters refresh us, the glory of the summer sky amazes us! Summer can also be a time for families to gather together and celebrate life and joy, death and birth, drawing strength from the solidarity of such sacred ties. How appropriate the first words of Psalm 107 !

"O give thanks to the Lord who is good

whose love (kindness) endures forever."

These are the first words of this psalm and also of what begins the fifth "book" of the Psalter. This final section (Psalms 107-150) are mostly psalms of praise to God. The recurring refrain cited above is found in other Psalms in this section: see Ps 118 and 136.

We consider in this psalm that it is not only in the good things surrounding us that we are aware of God's love; it can also be in our remembrance of the times when we needed to be rescued from some trial. Looking back, we realize some strength and some presence that guided us to a safe place. Such remembrances can also be a source of hope in God's love that will be reliable as we look to the uncertain future.

In Psalm 107, the psalmist gives us a universal perspective. He poses 4 different scenarios, each one describing some form of adversity. The psalmist includes in this song of praise and gratitude, all those redeemed from the four corners of the earth: the north and south, the east and west (vs 2-3). There is a commonality among the human family and the trials endured by each person on the face of the earth. First, the redeemed are all gathered together and recognize their common need for God in every situation, crying out to God, then placing trust in God's steadfast love and care. All will be well!

1) In vs 4-8, the perils of a desert journey are described. This should recall the story of origin of Israel in the Exodus, but it can also be an analogy to the "desert" that, at one time or other, each of us must cross. Life in the desert is a fragile existence, at times dangerous. There is no clear path through the desert because each day, the wind sweeps the path away. It is not a way we have traveled before and we must forge ahead without a sure way. There are few props or supports in the desert, even necessities may be lacking. At such times, the weary soul cries to the Lord and God leads them to a city, to safety, and nourishes them.

2) Imprisonment and oppression are references in vs 10-16. Here, the historical reality may be the time of Exile, but are we not each imprisoned by various forms of "chains" that destroy the real freedom we are called to enjoy in Christ? Here, the affliction is brought on "because they rebelled against the word of God". Typically, in the Old Testament, we often hear that misfortune is God's response to disobedience. This way of thinking is later challenged by Jesus. It certainly has no place in our theology. The Bible often reflects the thinking prevalent at the time the writer lived. Looking at the Bible carefully, we can observe how ideas and understanding grew over time. Here is an example of such. Yet again, they cry to God and are led forth from darkness and delivered from the oppression that threatened.

3) Vs 17-22 -- Again, we detect the association between sickness and sin. Similar to our reflection in the preceding paragraph, we, today, do not understand illness as a punishment from God, but our ancestors did hold that belief. The important point made here is that , in turning to the Lord, they are healed. Surely Jesus' gentle words in the healing stories found in the Gospels come to mind. Understanding these miracles as the people of those days perceived them gives us a deeper appreciation for what is being said: Jesus was able to lift the weight, not only of illness, but also of the sin that caused the affliction.

4) As we began in the desert, now we find ourselves at sea (vs 23-32). We cannot simply read "sea" as a reference to the water but as an image of chaos. In the Bible water recalls creation. God's first act was to order the waters of chaos. Later, it was out of the Reed Sea that Israel is newly created as God's own people, escaping the chaotic threat posed by the Egyptians. The Gospel accounts of the storm on the Lake of Galilee also might enter your meditation …"Who is it that orders the wind and the sea?"

In each of these 4 sections, you may note the recurring refrain…."They cried out to the Lord…" and "Let them give thanks". How are we to respond to the detours we face in life? Here are 2 rules of the road…turn trustingly to the one who can save and render praise with thankful hearts.

The concluding verses of this psalm remind us of what we have seen over and over in the Bible: God who fills the hungry with good things and who pours out contempt on those who would oppress the poor and needy. We come to know where God's favor is to be found.

The final verse is a wisdom reflection suggesting the truly wise are those who reflect on these matters and take them to heart. Those of you who have been pondering these psalms over the summer (not just reading these pages , but really REFLECTING and PRAYING with the word of God) are growing in this wisdom and you will be, as Psalm 1 describes, "like a tree planted near running water".