4 They wandered in the
wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, Their
soul fainted in them.
9 For He satisfies the longing
soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.
Psalm 107 was written by an anonymous
psalmist who was inspired by God to pen this great psalm to encourage the
remnant of Jews that had recently come out of the Babylonian captivity. They
were back in their beloved Promise Land and were attempting to rebuild the
temple that had been built by Solomon but was now lying in ruins. The walls of
the city of Jerusalem were also broken down and they were still surrounded by
numerous peoples who detested them and did not want them back. This remnant of
Jews needed to be reminded how the LORD had redeemed them and delivered them
time and time again over the years.
Psalm 107 is also a great
picture and illustration of the different conditions that sinners find themselves
in and how God redeems and delivers them. In this chapter we see at least five
pictures of sinners in their loneliness, afflictions, addictions, misery, and
trouble in this old world, lost and without hope and without God. In each case
when the sinners cry out to the LORD for help, God hears their cry and saves
and delivers them. And then they are encouraged to give thanks the LORD for “His
goodness and for His wonderful works”. Especially His great work of
redemption!
First, in verses 4-9, the
remnant of Jews are pictured as being in the wilderness on their journey back. It
was a long way from Babylon to Judah and the dangers were many, but the Lord
brought His people safely home (Ezra 1-2; Isa. 41:14-20; 43:1-21). In their
need, they cried out to Him (vv. 6, 13,19, 28) and He brought them out, led
them through the wilderness, and brought them to their own land where they
found cities to live in. During their journey, He provided food and drink for
them (see Luke 1:53; Jer. 31:25). Surely they would want to give thanks to Him
for all that He did for them (vv. 8, 15, 21, 31).
Secondly, these verses can
also be a reminder and a picture of how Abraham, Issac, and Jacob were
sojourners in the wilderness looking for a city. Hebrews 11:8-16 tells us: “By
faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would
receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By
faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in
tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he
waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God….But
now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not
ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
But we also see a great
application here of how we as sinners are wandering through the wilderness of
this old world, living in loneliness and fear, with empty souls, searching for
satisfaction in all the wrong places. Looking for a “city”, speaks of a place
where we can find protection, provision, peace, and settle down and be
satisfied. Notice in verse 6, that when the troubled sinners finally cried out
to the LORD in their troubled condition, He heard them and in verse 7 “He led
them in the right way”!
My friend, what a picture of
us! In Matthew 5:6 Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Jesus Himself is the “right
way”! Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life….” (John 14:6).
He is the Redeemer that paid the price for our sins with His own blood!
Only Jesuscan “satisfy
the longing soul, and fill the hungry soul with goodness” (v. 9). Why not trust
Him today?
God bless!
