Psalm 107:1-2, Let the Redeemed Say So!

“I would not be here without the path that my Lord, Jesus Christ, has put me on today. And so that’s why I always try to give Him the glory and always give Him the thanks, as I know He has a plan for me.”

This quote is from Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, quarterback for Indiana University, before their victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Following the game, Mendoza also stated,” I give all the glory to God.”

On other occasions, Mendoza has said that his identity is not in his stats or the scoreboard but in the Lord. “My faith keeps me centered. Football is what I do, but Christ is who I follow,” Mendoza humbly stated.

Mendoza is not alone among high-profile athletes who publicly express their faith. Win or lose, Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss) and Ty Simpson (Alabama) are college football quarterbacks who have openly and unashamedly expressed their faith in Jesus.

In this age of chest-thumping athletes who often embarrass themselves and their team, with their on-the-field antics and off-the-field issues, it’s refreshing to hear these and others speak of their faith and give God the glory.

Our passage today speaks of this courageous spirit and humble attitude in openly talking about one’s trust in the Lord.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
–Psalm 107:1-2

Especially note the phrase, “Let the redeemed say so!”

What is Redemption?

This Psalm is about Israel’s redemption from Babylonian captivity. God has brought back the faithful remnant to their homeland. It describes their restoration and return for which they thank and praise God.

Redeem literally means “to buy back. The New Testament speaks of our redemption from the slavery of sin. We’ve been bought with a price, the blood of Jesus (Eph. 1:7; 1Cor. 6:20).

How Do The Redeemed Say So?

(1) Through Praise.

When we gather for worship on the Lord’s Day, we praise God for His grace, goodness, and our redemption. Our hymns say so, and we worship God and admonish one another (Eph. 5:19). Hymnist Fanny J. Crosby expressed it this way.

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!
redeemed through His infinite mercy—
His child, and forever, I am.

(2) Through Prayer.

This Psalm is like a prayer of Thanksgiving to God for Israel’s redemption. We also ought to be filled with gratitude for God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice. The writer of Hebrews exhorted, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15)

(3) Through Practice.

We say so when we live in a manner pleasing to God. Our lives, whether on the football field, in the stands, in the marketplace, on our jobs, in our homes, or engaged in social activities, give glory to God.

By being the “salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:13-16), we demonstrate to a dark and sinful world what a redeemed life looks like. As the song by Annie Flint Johnson says, “We are the World’s Bible.” People are reading us and seeing what a Christian is.

(4) Through Proclamation.

“Let the redeemed say so.” Literally. Verbally. Stand up. Speak up. Share your faith. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to let others know who you are, what you believe, and who you follow.

While most of us never have a platform like Mendoza or other athletes, we can proclaim our love for and trust in Jesus in our own little world. Say it!

Why?
Ignorance abounds today. People don’t know Jesus, the Bible, or the gospel. Immorality is rampant. Moral standards are crumbling. What was once wrong has now become right in our culture. And sadly, in too many religious circles, there is apathy and indifference.

Let the Redeemed say so!

To borrow and reapply the words of Teddy Roosevelt:

If not you, who?
If not here, where?
If not now, when?

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman