0846. 827. The Heart and Hand Psalm

827. The Heart and Hand Psalm

Psalms 107

Key expression: “His lovingkindness and His wonderful works” (Psa_107:8, Psa_107:15, Psa_107:21, Psa_107:31)—four times. In His heart, “lovingkindness.” Once rendered “mercy” (Psa_107:1); four times “lovingkindness” (Psa_107:8, Psa_107:15, Psa_107:21, Psa_107:31, R.V.); and once “lovingkindness” (Psa_107:43, R.V.). The latter is plural, reckoning as two, “lovingkindness” is mentioned seven times.

There are many traits of Jehovah’s lovingkindness, but the following are found in the Psalms. Often the Hebrew word is rendered “mercy,” as in Psalms 136, where it occurs twenty-six times, in the well-known sentence, “His mercy (lovingkindness, R.V.) endureth for ever.” His lovingkindness is—

1. “Marvellous” in its acts (Psa_17:7; Psa_31:21).

2. Constant in its attendance—Psa_23:6, R.V.

3. Compassing in its protection—Psa_32:10.

4. “Excellent” (“precious,” R.V.) in its benediction (Psa_36:7).

5. “Better than life” (Psa_63:3).

6. Multitudinous in benefit—Psa_69:13, R.V.

7. “Good” in nature (Psa_69:16, R.V.).

8. “Plenteous” in resource (Psa_86:15, R.V.).

9. “Great” in exercise (Psa_86:13, R.V.).

10. Satisfying in giving—Psa_90:14, R.V.

11. “Everlasting” in duration (Psa_100:5, R.V.).

12. Crowning in bestowment—Psa_103:4.

13. Quickening in its life—Psa_119:88, Psa_119:124, Psa_119:149, Psa_119:159.

The Hebrew word is translated “deal kindly,” “kindness,” “mercy,” “pity,” “favour,” “goodness,” “good deeds,” and “lovingkindness;” and in the following cases illustrations will be found of the “exercise” of God’s “lovingkindness” (Jer_9:24): thus David pleaded with Jonathan to “deal kindly” with him (1Sa_20:8), David showed “kindness” to Mephibosheth (2Sa_9:1, 2Sa_9:3, 2Sa_9:7), Jehovah had “mercy” on David (1Ki_3:6), Job’s expressed “pity” to a friend (Job_6:14), Ahasuerus gave “favour” to Esther (Est_2:17), the “goodness” of Hezekiah in his life (2Ch_32:32), and the “good deeds” of Nehemiah for the house of God (Neh_13:14).

We do well to recall and recount the lovingkindnesses of our God, for they are recorded for our inspiration and our imitation.

The hand of Jehovah in His loving service is expressed in the repeated sentence, “His wonderful works.” His “works” are not merely acts, but “wonderful” ones. The Hebrew word is rendered four times “wonderful works,” and once “wonders” in Psalms 107 (Psa_107:8, Psa_107:15, Psa_107:21, Psa_107:24, Psa_107:31), and it is also translated “marvellous” (Psa_118:23), “hidden” (Deu_30:11), “accomplish” (Lev_22:21), and in the form of a question, “too hard” (Gen_18:14).

His “wonderful works” in some of their achievements are described in the Psalm before us.

1. Redemption. “Redeemed from the hand of the adversary” (Psa_107:2).

2. Election. “Gathered out of the lands” (Psa_107:3).

3. Emancipation. “Delivered them out of their distresses” (Psa_107:6).

4. Direction. “He led them by a straight way” (Psa_107:7, R.V.).

5. Satisfaction. “He satisfieth the longing soul, and the hungry soul He filleth with good” (Psa_107:9).

6. Salvation. “He saved them out of their distresses” (Psa_107:13-19).

7. Pacification. “He maketh the storm a calm” (Psa_107:23-32).

8. Transformation. “He turneth,” etc. (Psa_107:33-37).

9. Benediction. “He blesseth,” etc. (Psa_107:38-43).

By: DR. F. E. MARSH