Psalm 108: 43 Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD
The psalm begins with a call to give thanks to the LORD because he is good and his love endures for ever. Then come four real but generic examples of God's goodness and love. The final verse says that whoever is wise (and most at least want to be) should heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD. Each example follows a similar but unregimented pattern. First, trouble - wandering in a wasteland, not finding a city, hungry, thirsty, life ebbing; darkness, gloom and prison because of rebellion; afflicted and dying; a great storm at sea. Then comes a crucial turning point, beginning each time then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble and concluding and he delivered/saved/brought them out of their distress (6, 13, 19, 28). God deals with the problem, then comes a refrain (8, 15, 21, 31) Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind and the reason (3 times) - he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry; breaks down bronze gates and cuts through iron bars and because of his unfailing love and wonderful deeds for men. The final verses deal with God's power to transform situations for better or worse (both pouring contempt on nobles so that they wander in a trackless waste and lifting the needy from affliction and increasing their families). The background to all this is Israel's history, culminating in the return from exile. All this must be taken note of and the LORD's great love recognised, a love he has shown to me too. This world is full of trouble but cry to the Lord and he will save. Remember to give thanks when he does.
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