Psalms 107-108

Beginning of Book V

Psalm 107
Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles

1-3 Let the redeemed give thanks, those he has gathered from every part of the world.
4-9 Some were wandering in the desert, without food or water, and he led them to an inhabited town; let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love.
10-16 Some sat in the darkness of prisons or captivity because of their disobedience. When they cried to the LORD for help, he rescued them. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love.
17-22 Some were sick because of their sin. When they cried to the LORD for help, he healed them. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love.
23-32 Some were in peril on ships on the sea, fearful for their lives. They cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he stilled the storm and brought them home safely. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love.
33-41 The LORD turns rivers into a desert, fruitful land into salty waste because of the wickedness of its inhabitants. But he also does the opposite for the hungry, blessing them, raising up the needy out of distress.
42-43 "The upright see it and are glad; and all wickedness stops its mouth." Let all who are wise consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

I don't remember ever reading this Psalm before. I like the way it's organized, each desperate situation calling for God's rescue, then ending with a reminder of "the steadfast love of the LORD" in all circumstances. Then there's also the reminder that he doesn't always bless. Just as he can bless the land, so he can also curse it if we refuse to acknowledge His ways.

Psalm 108 (A Psalm of David)
Praise and Prayer for Victory
1-4 My heart is steadfast, I will sing, I will awake the dawn, I will give thanks and sing praises for your steadfast love and faithfulness. "I will awake the dawn." What a great expression, if it means what I think it means, that he's up before the dawn, giving thanks to God as he watches the sun rise, and -- like a rooster, I suppose, crows -- in this case praises God with music -- and even feels like he is responsible for the rise of the sun. The KJV and ASV translate this "I will awake early."
5-6 Be exalted, O LORD, let your glory shine, give victory, and answer me.
7-9 God promises to divide up Shechem and Succoth. He claims Gilead and Manasseh, with Ephraim as his helmet and Judah his scepter. On the other hand, Moab is his washbasin, he throws his shoe at Edom, and shouts in triumph over Philistia.
10-13 O God, will you continue to reject us? Grant us help against our enemies. Human help is worthless.