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Psalm 107:1 - Attitude of Gratitude.

Psalm 107:1 - Attitude of Gratitude.

Psalm 107:1 (NIV) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his 
love endures forever.  

Psalm 107:1 (NLT) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His 
faithful love endures forever.  

Psalm 107:1 (TLB) Say thank you to the Lord for being so good, 
for always being so loving and kind.  

Psalm 107:1 (MSG) Oh, thank GOD--he's so good! His love never 
runs out.  

INTRODUCTION

   Introduction.--Ps. 107 opens Book Five of the Psalms (see p. 
626). In point of poetic beauty this poem takes its place with the 
most sublime productions in any literature. It is of unique 
construction and was evidently intended to be sung in responses. Each stanza 
is symmetrical in composition. First there is a description of the 
calamity, then a cry for help, followed by an immediate answer. Then comes 
a call for thanksgiving supplemented by the reason for the call. 
The double refrains with their variations are strikingly effective 
(see vs. 6-9, 13-16, 19-22, and 28-32). After the introduction (vs. 
1-3), in which the redeemed are invited to praise God, the psalmist 
presents four striking thought sequences in four stanzas. 
   The first stanza (vs. 4-9) discusses God's watch care for 
desert wanderers. The second (vs. 10-16) portrays God as the liberator 
of the prisoners. The third stanza (vs. 17-22) sets God forth as 
the great healer. The fourth (vs. 23-32) presents God as the 
sovereign of the sea. At this point the literary structure of the poem 
changes. Verses 33-42 speak of the blessing that comes to the righteous 
and the curse that is the lot of the wicked. The psalm closes with 
an appeal to the wise to ponder the facts presented so that he may 
better understand God's loving-kindness (v. 43). [SDA Bible 
Commentary] 

COMMENTARY

   Psalm 107 describes a spiritual malnutrition among God's 
people that has them wandering in a deserted land. They are hungry and 
thirsty and desperate. But when they cry out to God, he rescues them. 
The cycle is repeated in the psalm, with verse 6 essentially being 
repeated in verses 13, 19 and 28. This is also our appropriate response 
in our wilderness moments - calling out to God for his help and 
waiting for him to come to the rescue. And he does, repeatedly.  
   The psalmist also describes an attitude - gratitude - that 
will continually nourish us and keep us out of future wastelands. The 
call to give thanks is presented five times in this psalm, first in 
verse 1 and then repeated in verses 8, 15, 21 and 31. Cultivating a 
grateful heart is one of the greatest investments we can make in our own 
spiritual and emotional health. [NIV Once A Day Bible] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

Disappointments and setbacks will cloud our lives, no matter how 
much we are blessed with.  We have the choice to be thankful or 
resentful.  I can fuss with the thorns on the rose bush, or be thankful 
that the thorn bush has roses.  Alda Ellis 

TESTIMONY

It was a tough situation to accept. I could have easily got 
wrapped up in a thick blanket of self-pity; I sure could, but I've 
learned better. I've built up a habit of gratitude for all God does for 
me and when we do that long enough it makes it really difficult to 
practice self-pity and fall into depression. [anonymous inmate] 

MINI-VIDEO DEVOTIONALS ON THIS PASSAGE BY PASTOR SHAWN BOONSTRA:

"Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So" 
http://www.itiswritten.com/television/episodes/3287 

Sharing God's Goodness 
http://www.itiswritten.com/television/episodes/3423 

EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON EXPERIENCING GOD:


http://sda.biggytv.com/watch/Revive!_-_Dwight_Nelson:_Experiencing_Gods_Grace/revive/  

LINK FOR BIBLE STUDIES

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