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Book Five

Book Five (Psalms 107–150) succinctly presents many of the major themes of the previous psalms. It tracks along Israel’s history as God’s nation, from the united monarchy, through the exile, to the restoration. Psalm 107 is a song of thanksgiving composed by those who survived exile and made their way home. As in Isaiah, the return from exile is described as a new exodus. Three Davidic psalms toward the beginning of Book Five represent the monarchy and recall Israel’s golden age. The Songs for the Journey to Worship (Psalm 120–134) are composed for use by God’s people as they traveled from their homes up to Zion to worship God at the temple. Representing their time in exile are songs of lament, heartbreaking testimonies to individuals’ pain when they are crushed by their enemies and separated from God’s blessings. Finally, Book Five concludes the collection by offering praise and thanks to God, for the story of Israel does not end with its exile and separation; rather, it ends in restoration and hope. Those who edited and compiled the Book of Psalms were relieved to be back in the land of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—rebuilding their temple and reestablishing their connection with God.

Psalm 107

Erupt with thanks to the Eternal, for He is good
    and His loyal love lasts forever.
Let all those redeemed by the Eternal—
    those rescued from times of deep trouble—join in giving thanks.
He has gathered them across the earth,
    from east and west,
    from [north and south].[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 107:3 Hebrew manuscripts read, “and the sea.”

107 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

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Book 5 (Psalms 107-150)

Psalm 107[a]

107 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
and his loyal love endures.[b]
Let those delivered by the Lord speak out,[c]
those whom he delivered[d] from the power[e] of the enemy,
and gathered from foreign lands,[f]
from east and west,
from north and south.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 107:1 sn Psalm 107. The psalmist praises God for his kindness to his exiled people.
  2. Psalm 107:1 tn Heb “for forever [is] his loyal love.”
  3. Psalm 107:2 tn Or “let the redeemed of the Lord say [so].”
  4. Psalm 107:2 tn Or “redeemed.”
  5. Psalm 107:2 tn Heb “hand.”
  6. Psalm 107:3 tn Heb “from lands.” The word “foreign” is supplied in the translation for clarification.