There is a repeating pattern in Psalms 107. Verses from ASV. Here is a little diagram and some food for thought.
TO CONSIDER WHILE READING
Lovingkindness: mercy, kindness, favor, good deed (Hebrew Chesed H2617),
Good: Something that functions properly (1186 Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the Bible)
Hunger and thirst:
Isaiah 5:13 Therefore my people will go into exile for lack of understanding; those of high rank will die of hunger and the common people will be parched with thirst.
Nehemiah 9:15 In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven and in their thirst you brought them water from the rock;
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
The Way:
Genesis 3:24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
Genesis 18:19 For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Bondage: First mention of bondage is slavery to Pharaoh.
Ezra 9:8 “But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage.
The New Testament defines bondage as being slaves to sin (sin is transgression of the law).
John 8:34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
Romans 6:6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—
Food: We are experiencing a crisis in finding healthy food! Many are rejecting the super-market fair due to Genetic Modification and/or pesticide use, and the proliferation of preservatives and unclean meats.
Symbols for Brass, Iron: “The Torah symbolizes brass as judgment we read:
Deut 28:22-23 The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish. And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron. (KJV)
Iron speaks of bondage, imprisonment, while gold speaks of truth, and silver of redemption.” [http://www.hebroots.org/hebrootsarchive/9902/9902_cc.html]
Darkness: “Darkness” in both the Old Testament (Heb. hasak [J;v’j]) and New Testament (Gk.skotos[skovto”]) is an evocative word. If light symbolizes God, darkness connotes everything that is anti-God: the wicked ( Prov 2:13-14 ; 1 Thess 5:4-7 ), judgment ( Exod 10:21 ; Matt 25:30), and death ( Psalm 88:12 ). Salvation brings light to those in darkness ( Isa 9:2 ). [http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/darkness/]
SHADOW OF DEATH
(tsalmaweth):
The Hebrew word translated “shadow of death” is used poetically for thick darkness (Job 3:5), as descriptive of Sheol (Job 10:21; 12:22; 38:17); figuratively of deep distress (Job 12:22; 16:16; 24:17; 28:3; 34:22 (in the last three passages the American Standard Revised Version has “thick darkness” and “thick gloom”); Psalms 23:4, the Revised Version margin “deep darkness (and so elsewhere)”; 44:19; 107:10,14; Isaiah 9:2; Jeremiah 2:6; 13:16;Amos 5:8; Matthew 4:16; Luke 1:79, skia thanatou). The Hebrew word is perhaps composed of tsel, “shadow,” and maweth, “death,” and the idea of “the valley of the shadow of death” was most probably derived from the deep ravines, darkened by over-hanging briars, etc., through which the shepherd had sometimes to lead or drive his sheep to new and better pastures. [http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/shadow-of-death/]
With these concepts in mind, read on.
Theme Statement: Psa 107:1-2 O GIVE THANKS unto Jehovah; For he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever. LET THE REDEEMED OF JEHOVAH SAY SO, Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the adversary,
First distress: Psa 107:5 HUNGRY AND THIRSTY, Their soul fainted in them.
What do the People Do? Psa 107:6 Then THEY CRIED UNTO JEHOVAH in their trouble, And he delivered them out of their distresses,
How are we delivered from ‘hunger and thirst?’ Psa 107:7 He led them also by a STRAIGHT WAY, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Echo of Theme statement! Psa 107:8 Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Summary of What was done for the Hungry and Thirsty: Psa 107:9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, And the hungry soul he filleth with good.
2nd Distress: Psa 107:11-12 Because they REBELLED AGAINST THE WORDS OF GOD, And contemned the counsel of the Most High: Therefore HE BROUGHT DOWN THEIR HEART WITH LABOR; They fell down, and there was none to help.
What do the People Do? Psa 107:13 Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he saved them out of their distresses.
How does He save us from rebellion and bondage? Psa 107:14 He brought them OUT OF DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, And brake their bonds in sunder.
Echo Theme Statement: Psa 107:15 Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Summary of How He saved them from rebellion and bondage: Psa 107:16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, And cut the bars of iron in sunder.
Third distress: Psa 107:17-18 Fools BECAUSE OF THEIR TRANSGRESSION, And BECAUSE OF THEIR INIQUITIES, are afflicted. THEIR SOUL ABHORRETH ALL MANNER OF FOOD; And they draw near unto the gates of death.
What do the People Do? Psa 107:19 Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he saveth them out of their distresses.
How does He save from their transgressions, iniquities and hatred of food? Psa 107:20 He sendeth HIS WORD, and healeth them, And delivereth them from their destructions.
Echo Theme Statement! Psa 107:21 Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Summary of our response to his deliverance: Psa 107:22 And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare his works with singing.
Fourth Distress (describes fury of the wind and waves controlled by YHVH): Psa 107:26-7 They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths: Their soul melteth away because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are AT THEIR WITS’ END.
What do the People Do? Psa 107:28 Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, And he bringeth them out of their distresses.
How does He save them from distress? Psa 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, So that the waves thereof are still.
Echo Theme Statement! Psa 107:31 Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Summary: Psa 107:32 Let them EXALT HIM ALSO IN THE ASSEMBLY OF THE PEOPLE, And praise him in the seat of the elders.
Final Summary Statement: Psa 107:41-3 Yet setteth he the needy on high from affliction, And maketh him families like a flock. The upright shall see it, and be glad; And all iniquity shall stop her mouth. Whoso is wise will give heed to these things; And they will consider the lovingkindnesses of Jehovah.
