Psalm 107 describes what happens when people - in a variety of circumstances and situations - cry out to the Lord.
Consider the parallel passages within this psalm:
"Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to an inhabited town" (vs. 4)
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress" (vs. 6)
"Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind" (vs . 8)
"Some sat in darkness and gloom, prisoners in misery and in irons" (vs. 10)
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress" (vs. 13)
"Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind" (vs. 15)
"Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured affliction" (vs. 17)
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress" (vs. 19)
"Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind" (vs. 21)
"Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the mighty waters" (vs. 23)
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress" (vs. 28)
"Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind" (vs. 31)
Can you see a pattern? Each of the above examples include descriptions of the troubles and dangers that the groups in question saw before being rescued from their suffering. Afterward, each group experiences a deliverance from the peril and the psalmist enjoins them to express their gratitude to God. Key in each stanza is the understanding that those in distress "cried to the Lord in their trouble."
The good news is that God hears their cry. In each case, God saves them from their distress. I believe this is helpful guidance for us, even today, that whenever we face trials or troubles of any kind, our solution is the same: Cry out to the Lord! He is the God Who hears!
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