Psalm 107:2

2 Let them say so who have been redeemed by the Lord, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

Psalm 107:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 107:2

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so
That the Lord is good, and his mercy everlasting; since their redemption is a proof of his goodness, and an instance of his mercy; this is not to be understood of the Israelites redeemed from Egyptian bondage, or from the Babylonish captivity, though they had abundant reason to say as above; but rather of all such who are delivered from any sort of slavery, bondage, and confinement; whether from the power of a disease, or from a prison, or from wicked and unreasonable men; and from captivity in an enemy's country, where they have been used very severely; and as the providence of God is concerned in all such deliverances, thanks should be given him: it seems best to understand it of those who are spiritually redeemed by Christ, this phrase being frequently used of such, ( Isaiah 35:10 ) ( 51:11 ) ( 52:12 ) , who may be said to be so, since Christ is the author of their redemption; they are redeemed, not by themselves, nor by any creature, but by the Lord; who being their God, and near kinsman, had a right to redeem them, and, being God, was able to do it, and who has effected it by his precious blood; so that he has a right unto them and a property in them, which this phrase also suggests; and for all which they have great reason to praise the Lord and his goodness, and sing the new song of redeeming love. Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy from all their sins which war against their souls; from Satan their implacable adversary, who is stronger than they; from the law, which curses and threatens them with damnation and death; from death itself, the last enemy, and indeed from the hand of all their enemies, be they who they may.

Psalm 107:2 In-Context

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.

2 Let them say so who have been redeemed by the Lord, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

3 and gathered them out of the countries, from the east, and west, and north, and south.

4 They wandered in the wilderness in a dry land; they found no way to a city of habitation.

5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

6 Then they cried to the Lord in their affliction, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

7 And he guided them into a straight path, that they might go to a city of habitation.

8 Let them acknowledge to the Lord his mercies, and his wonderful works to the children of men.

9 For he satisfies the empty soul, and fills the hungry soul with good things,

10 even them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death, fettered in poverty and iron;

11 because they rebelled against the words of God, and provoked the counsel of the Most High.

12 So their heart was brought low with troubles; they were weak, and there was no helper.

13 Then they cried to the Lord in their affliction, and he saved them out of their distresses.

14 And he brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bonds asunder.

15 Let them acknowledge to the Lord his mercies, and his wonders to the children of men.

16 For he broke to pieces the brazen gates, and crushed the iron bars.

17 He helped them out of the way of their iniquity; for they were brought low because of their iniquities.

18 Their soul abhorred all meat; and they drew near to the gates of death.

19 Then they cried to the Lord in their affliction, and he saved them out of their distresses.

20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them out of their destructions.

21 Let them acknowledge to the Lord his mercies, and his wonderful works to the children of men.

22 And let them offer to him the sacrifice of praise, and proclaim this works with exultation.

23 They that go down to the sea in ships, doing business in many waters;

24 these men have seen the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.

25 He speaks, and the stormy wind arises, and its waves are lifted up.

26 They go up to the heavens, and go down to the depths; their soul melts because of troubles.

27 They are troubled, they stagger as a drunkard, and all their wisdom is swallowed up.

28 Then they cry to the Lord in their affliction, and he brings them out of their distresses.

29 And he commands the storm, and it is calmed into a gentle breeze, and its waves are still.

30 And they are glad, because they are quiet; and he guides them to their desire haven.

31 Let them acknowledge to the Lord his mercies, and his wonderful works to the children of men.

32 Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the seat of the elders.

33 He turns rivers into a desert, and streams of water into a dry land;

34 a fruitful land into saltness, for the wickedness of them that dwell in it.

35 He turns a wilderness into pools of water, and a dry land into streams of water.

36 And there he causes the hungry to dwell, and they establish for themselves cities of habitation.

37 And they sow fields, and plant vineyards, and they yield fruit of increase.

38 And he blesses them, and they multiply exceedingly, and he diminishes not the number of their cattle.

39 Again they become few, and are brought low, by the pressure of evils and pain.

40 Contempt is poured upon their princes, and he causes them to wander in a desert and trackless land.

41 But he helps the poor out of poverty, and makes him families as a flock.

42 The upright shall see and rejoice; and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

43 Who is wise, and will observe these things, and understand the mercies of the Lord?