I didn’t say that, this psalm says this at the end:
“Let whoever is wise pay attention to these things and consider the LORD’s acts of faithful love” (Ps 107:43).
I think it’s more important to even catch that second part–these are the acts of the LORD’s faithful love. Because you might miss it.
There’s several verses in the Old Testament that say if the covenant people of Israel rebel, then he will send some various calamities. And when they do they will eventually cry out to the LORD and he will restore them. This is that history.
– “Some wandered in the desolate wilderness finding no way to a city where they could live. They were hungry and thirsty; their spirits failed within them” (v. 4-5) –
- They cried out to the LORD (v. 4)
- He rescued them (vv. 6-7) –
- Therefore give thanks (v 8-9)
– “Others sat in darkness and gloom, prisoners in cruel chains because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the counsel of the Most High” (v. 10-11)
- They cried out to the LORD (v. 15)
- He rescued them (v. 14)
- Therefore give thanks (v 15-16)
– “Fools suffered affliction because of their rebellious ways and their sins. They loathed all food and came near the gates of death” (v. 17-18)
- They cried out to the LORD (v. 19)
- He rescued them (v. 19)
- Therefore give thanks (v 21-22)
– “Others went to sea in ships, conducting trade on the vast water…He spoke and raised a tempest that stirred up the waves of the sea…they reeled and staggered like drunken men, and all their skill was useless” (vv. 23-27)
- They cried out to the LORD (v. 28)
- He rescued them (vv. 28-30)
- Therefore give thanks (vv. 31-32)
Why did all these things happen? Because they rebelled against God’s commands. They despised His counsel. He literally gave them hundreds and hundreds of years to come to their senses but they persisted in their wickedness.
At some point if God is good, he has to do something. No parent likes to discipline their child. Nor does God like to bring discipline to his covenant children. But he does. Just as a parent does.
And so He did. The only thing that would crack such hard hearts was calamity. Various people experienced different forms of calamity just as the Scriptures said would happen. It was the only way for God to save the people from themselves. Evil by its very nature is always destructive not just to the person but to those around them.
When in dire circumstances, the people eventually called out to the LORD. He wound up rescuing them out of their calamities. And therefore the psalmist calls on the people to give things. To rejoice in God’s faithful love that is so deep that He is willing to bring discipline.
It’s important to remember too that this is the context of a group identity. It wasn’t that he just saved every individual, but that he save the nation of Israel from itself. And He did not give them what their sins deserved. Instead he forgave them and restored them.
“Let whoever is wise pay attention to these things and consider the LORD’s acts of faithful love” (Ps 107:43).