Psalm 107:1-3 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble 3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
When you read Psalm 107 you see an amazing glimpse of the wonder of God's mercy. This Psalm is a journey through different circumstances that all result in praise to the Lord for his mercy and deliverance. There are people who suffer in the circumstance of a sin cursed world. There are those who suffer in the reality of their own sin. There are those who suffer in the consequences of their sin, and those who simply suffer in the midst of God-ordained events. In every circumstance there is a cry for deliverance and a glorious vision of the grace and mercy and love of God in response to our cries.
This doesn't mean that God instantly delivers us from every trouble. In fact, this Psalm seems to show that God uses all sorts of affliction and suffering to turn us to him. His righteous ones look up from their situation, not in.
The amazing thing about Psalm 107 is how it shows a most glorious truth. This, one of the great songs of Israel, talks about God saving his people out of all sorts of trouble. When you read the first three verses, you find that his deliverance reaches every land from every direction. For its original audience, these words could not be so easily looked over. God's mercy and deliverance extends beyond the borders of one nation, and it's spectacular.
At one point in this Psalm there is a description of godless merchant sailors who are humbled by the horror of a great storm and cry out to God for mercy. God calms the storm and delivers these men, and the Psalmist makes it clear that the only right answer for these men is to worship God and praise him in the assembly of his people. God's mercy is spectacular, and it requires our praise.
23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; 24 they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep. 25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. 26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; 27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end. 28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
If you want to see a similar account, just like this, read Jonah 1. For today, the point is simple. God's mercy should be overwhelmingly spectacular to us all. It is most gloriously seen in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should be praising!