Crying to the Lord; Meditations from Psalm 107

This begins my foray into book 5 of the Psalms.

Psalm 107 is set up with an introduction (vs. 1-3), four refrains (4,10,17, and 23) and a concluding section (33-43).

The four refrains present different scenarios, each of which have "crying to the Lord" as the response of the righteous one.

• A Picture of Need -
  wandering; hungry and thirsty (4-5).
  Action: They cried to the Lord in their trouble (6)
  Response: Delivery via leading (7)

• A Picture of Captivity -
  sitting in darkness; prisoners (10)
  Action: They cried to the Lord in their trouble (13)
  Response: Delivery via exodus and freedom (14)

• A Picture of Judgement -
  foolishness and affliction (17), drawing near to (18)
  Action: They cried to the Lord in their trouble (19)
  Response: Delivery via His word and healing (20)

• A Picture of Dangerous Circumstance
  facing the danger of the sea (23-27)
  Action: They cried to the Lord in their trouble
  Response: Delivery via stilling of the storm and safe haven (29-30)
  
  

In response to God's delivery, the psalm asks us simply to be thankful (8,15,21,31). Sacrifices, songs of joy (22), public extolation and worship among leadership (32) are also appopriate.