What does "upright see and rejoice" teach about the response to God's works? Setting the Scene Psalm 107 walks us through vivid snapshots of God rescuing His people—from deserts, prisons, sickness, and stormy seas. After each deliverance the psalmist repeats, “Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion.” Near the close, verse 42 sums up the godly response to this parade of divine interventions: “ ‘The upright see and rejoice, and all iniquity shuts its mouth.’ ” What the Upright Are Seeing - God’s steadfast love in action (vv. 1, 8, 15, 21, 31) - Reversals only He can accomplish: - Wandering turned to belonging (vv. 4–7) - Bondage turned to freedom (vv. 10–16) - Affliction turned to healing (vv. 17–22) - Terror turned to calm (vv. 23–30) - A faith-building pattern: every crisis meets a covenant-keeping God. Why Sight Leads to Rejoicing - Recognition of the Lord’s character “The LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” (v. 1) - Assurance of personal deliverance “He redeemed them from their distress.” (v. 6) - Confidence that righteousness will triumph “All iniquity shuts its mouth.” (v. 42) Evil has no rebuttal when God moves. The Shape of God-Honoring Joy - Outward celebration “Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous.” (Psalm 33:1) - Verbal testimony “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so.” (Psalm 107:2) - Deep gratitude “Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.” (Psalm 32:11) The Flip Side: Silencing of Iniquity - God’s works expose sin’s bankruptcy (Isaiah 26:11). - The proud are forced into speechlessness (Romans 3:19). - Final preview of judgment when every mouth will be stopped (Revelation 15:3-4). Living This Truth Today - Stay alert to God’s interventions—large or small—in daily life. - Celebrate publicly; let rejoicing become contagious among God’s people. - Allow joy to strengthen obedience (Nehemiah 8:10). - Stand firm when evil seems loud; remember that in the end it “shuts its mouth.” Echoes Across Scripture - Psalm 64:10 “The righteous will rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him.” - Isaiah 25:9 “Surely this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He has saved us.” - Luke 1:46-49 Mary’s song magnifies the same saving power. The upright response to God’s mighty works is clear-eyed celebration—a joy so confident that it renders wickedness speechless and magnifies the steadfast love of the Lord. |
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