God restores.

Some wandered in desert wastes,

finding no way to a city to dwell in;

hungry and thirsty,

their soul fainted within them.

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

He led them by a straight way

till they reached a city to dwell in.

Psalm 107:4-7

Psalm 107 is about God’s loving restoration to those exiled from Jerusalem and the Promised Land. Once you are aware of this, you will notice there are four groups of various exiles that God has restored, each set off by a new stanza that begins with the word “Some” (Psalm 107:4, 10, 17, 24). 

This first group tried to leave Jerusalem in advance of the growing Babylonian threat. They wound up wandering in the desert until they finally cried out to God in submission and He heard their cry. That God even hears the prayers of those who have deliberately disobeyed and incurred His direct judgment is testament to His gracious mercy. God will restore His care to repentant sinners.

So here is how God helps each group of exiles in this psalm:

Passage:	Group:	Need:	Answer:
Vs 4-9	Desert Wanderers	No City; hungry and thirsty	Led to dwell in a city; satisfied
Vs 10-16	Darkness Sitters	Prisoners; bound	Set free; bars broken
Vs 17-22	Selfish Fools	Near death	Healed by God’s Word
Vs 23-32	Sea Farers	Storm tossed and afraid	Storm is ended

In all these groups a common response came in their affliction: They recognized their distress was the result of their sin, they then took responsibility and cried out in repentant faith, and then turned to God as their only hope. God then restored each group in merciful love. And the goal of it all according the author of Psalm 107? 

Verse 43: Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

Amen! God is better to us than we deserve.