The title of what this post is about is the theme of Psalms 107. It is repeated in its many sections.
Whoever wrote this Psalm may have had Exodus in mind, among other things. The book of Exodus describes the Hebrews’ bondage in Egypt followed by their wandering in the dessert toward the Promised Land the Lord provides them. Psalm 107 may be seen as a song that references them, if we know for sure.
When being forced to wander in the dessert after being freed from Egypt, hungry and thirsty, they cried to the Lord. Verses 4-6 could be referencing that part in Exodus, where God responded by making food fall to the sky for them and getting water from a stone for them as well. Verse 10 could be referencing Job’s affliction at the hands of Satan. We know that in Job 31:1–4, he anguishes, “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin? What would be my portion from God above and my heritage from the Almighty on high? Is not calamity for the unrighteous, and disaster for the workers of iniquity? Does not he see my ways and number all my steps?” Later on in Job, God restores his wealth and then some. This seems to reflect Verse 13 in Psalm: “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.” Although Psalm 107 gives attention to those who defied God’s Word, but were delivered out of their distress anyway, one can see that the same deliverance is afforded to Job, who by his own inferences and assertions did nothing wrong.
And, in at east a sense, we can see how the Psalm’s Verses 11 and 13 can apply in Luke 23:42-43, where a condemned person on a cross to Jesus’ side asks Jesus to remember him when Jesus goes into God’s Kingdom, and Jesus assures him in Verse 43, “…today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Is it OK, then, to commit evil and then to ask the Lord for forgiveness and expect to enter His Kingdom? One cannot be too sure, especially when Jesus in Matthew 25:45-46 says that those who don’t abide by God’s Word, particularly when they don’t help the less fortunate, will end up into “eternal punishment.” Notably, Jesus doesn’t mention the possibility of forgiveness here or even makes any reference to Psalms 107 which says God will deliver them if they ask for help, regardless of the wrongs they committed.
So what Psalms 107 says is not a done deal, particularly if you sinned. Anyone in that situation would best regard Psalms 107 as a possible pardon, as the prisoner in Luke 23:42-43 was pardoned by the Lord.
Whoever wrote this Psalm may have had Exodus in mind, among other things. The book of Exodus describes the Hebrews’ bondage in Egypt followed by their wandering in the dessert toward the Promised Land the Lord provides them. Psalm 107 may be seen as a song that references them, if we know for sure.
When being forced to wander in the dessert after being freed from Egypt, hungry and thirsty, they cried to the Lord. Verses 4-6 could be referencing that part in Exodus, where God responded by making food fall to the sky for them and getting water from a stone for them as well. Verse 10 could be referencing Job’s affliction at the hands of Satan. We know that in Job 31:1–4, he anguishes, “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin? What would be my portion from God above and my heritage from the Almighty on high? Is not calamity for the unrighteous, and disaster for the workers of iniquity? Does not he see my ways and number all my steps?” Later on in Job, God restores his wealth and then some. This seems to reflect Verse 13 in Psalm: “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.” Although Psalm 107 gives attention to those who defied God’s Word, but were delivered out of their distress anyway, one can see that the same deliverance is afforded to Job, who by his own inferences and assertions did nothing wrong.
And, in at east a sense, we can see how the Psalm’s Verses 11 and 13 can apply in Luke 23:42-43, where a condemned person on a cross to Jesus’ side asks Jesus to remember him when Jesus goes into God’s Kingdom, and Jesus assures him in Verse 43, “…today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Is it OK, then, to commit evil and then to ask the Lord for forgiveness and expect to enter His Kingdom? One cannot be too sure, especially when Jesus in Matthew 25:45-46 says that those who don’t abide by God’s Word, particularly when they don’t help the less fortunate, will end up into “eternal punishment.” Notably, Jesus doesn’t mention the possibility of forgiveness here or even makes any reference to Psalms 107 which says God will deliver them if they ask for help, regardless of the wrongs they committed.
So what Psalms 107 says is not a done deal, particularly if you sinned. Anyone in that situation would best regard Psalms 107 as a possible pardon, as the prisoner in Luke 23:42-43 was pardoned by the Lord.
