Psalms 107:21

Psalms 107:21 (KJV) is a heartfelt exclamation, urging humanity to offer praise and thanksgiving to God for His benevolent nature and His powerful, miraculous interventions in the lives of people. This verse is a key refrain within a psalm dedicated to celebrating God's deliverance across various challenging circumstances.

Context of Psalms 107:21

Psalm 107 is a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving, detailing four distinct scenarios where people found themselves in dire straits, cried out to the Lord, and were subsequently delivered. These include wanderers lost in the wilderness, prisoners in darkness, sick people afflicted by their sins, and sailors caught in violent storms. Each section culminates in a refrain similar to verse 21, calling for praise for God's goodness and wonderful works. Specifically, verse 21 follows the narrative of those delivered from sickness and near death, highlighting God's restorative power and compassion (verses 17-20). It serves as a universal invitation for all to acknowledge God's saving hand.

Key Themes in Psalms 107:21

• The Earnest Call to Praise: The phrase "Oh that men would praise the LORD!" expresses a profound desire and urgent plea for all people to respond with gratitude and adoration to God's actions. It's not just a suggestion but a longing for humanity to recognize and appreciate divine intervention.
• God's Goodness (Chesed): This theme underscores God's inherent benevolence, His unwavering kindness, and His steadfast love. It speaks to His character as a God who is always good and merciful, even when His people are disobedient.
• God's Wonderful Works (Niphla'ot): This refers to God's miraculous, astonishing, and awe-inspiring interventions in human affairs. These are deeds that clearly demonstrate His immense power, wisdom, and compassion, often defying natural explanation.
• Universal Scope: The inclusion of "the children of men" emphasizes that God's goodness and His mighty works are extended to all humanity, making the call to praise universally applicable and relevant to every individual's experience.

Linguistic Insights

• The term "goodness" in Hebrew is chesed (חסד). This word is rich in meaning, encompassing loyal love, steadfast mercy, and covenant faithfulness. It's not merely kindness but a deep, enduring, and committed lovingkindness that God shows towards His people.
• "Wonderful works" translates the Hebrew niphla'ot (נפלאות), which denotes extraordinary, astonishing, or miraculous deeds. These are acts that evoke wonder and awe, clearly pointing to divine power and intervention beyond human capability.

Cross-References and Connections

This verse is a powerful refrain that structures Psalm 107, appearing almost identically in Psalm 107:8, Psalm 107:15, and Psalm 107:31, powerfully reinforcing the psalm's central message of thanksgiving for deliverance. The theme of praising God for His enduring mercy and goodness is also beautifully echoed in Psalm 100:5, which declares, "for the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting." The call to declare God's marvellous works is also found in Psalm 9:1.

Practical Application

Psalms 107:21 serves as a timeless reminder and an urgent call for every individual to cultivate a heart of gratitude. It encourages us to:

• Actively Recognize God's Hand: Look for God's goodness and His wonderful works not only in grand, miraculous interventions but also in the daily provisions, protections, and deliverances in our lives.
• Express Heartfelt Gratitude: Move beyond merely experiencing God's blessings to vocalizing and demonstrating sincere praise and thanksgiving. This can be through prayer, song, or sharing testimonies.
• Share Our Testimonies: When we praise the Lord for His goodness and wonderful works, we are sharing our personal experiences of His faithfulness. This not only glorifies God but also serves to encourage and strengthen the faith of others, reminding them of God's active presence in the world.