ISSL Reflections October 17 2021 Psalm 107:1-9, 39-43 Post 1

I.

This week we will focus on some of Psalm 107.

First, take a few moments and hold these words from the Psalm in your soul – 

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so… (Psalm 107:1-2a)

Let those who are wise give heed to these things,
    and consider the steadfast love of the Lord. (Psalm 107:43)

Stay with those words for a time and don’t rush off too quickly.

II.

Now with those thoughts grounding you, consider the rest of this week’s focus passage – 

Psalm 107:1-9 (NRSV) 

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

    those he redeemed from trouble

and gathered in from the lands,

    from the east and from the west,

    from the north and from the south.

Some wandered in desert wastes,

    finding no way to an inhabited town;

hungry and thirsty,

    their soul fainted within them.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

    and he delivered them from their distress;

he led them by a straight way,

    until they reached an inhabited town.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,

    for his wonderful works to humankind.

For he satisfies the thirsty,

    and the hungry he fills with good things.

Psalm 107:39-43 (NRSV)

When they are diminished and brought low

    through oppression, trouble, and sorrow,

he pours contempt on princes

    and makes them wander in trackless wastes;

but he raises up the needy out of distress,

    and makes their families like flocks.

The upright see it and are glad;

    and all wickedness stops its mouth.

Let those who are wise give heed to these things,

    and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

III.

The Psalmist speaks of The Lord’s “steadfast love.”

Not only does he ask his hearers to “give thanks” for the “steadfast love” of The Lord, he offers some thoughts on places and times the people had opportunity to know that “steadfast love” firsthand.

Read the Psalm once again and take time to consider the times and places the Psalmist thinks The Lord’s “steadfast love” was experienced.

charles

{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}


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