Psalms 107:8

Commentary on Psalms 107:8 (KJV)

Psalms 107:8 is a heartfelt refrain that punctuates a powerful narrative of God's deliverance. It serves as a direct call to humanity to acknowledge and respond to the Lord's benevolent actions and inherent nature.

Context

Psalm 107 is a psalm of thanksgiving, celebrating God's enduring mercy and faithfulness. It recounts four distinct scenarios where people find themselves in distress and cry out to the Lord, who then delivers them: wanderers lost in the wilderness (verses 4-6), prisoners in darkness (verses 10-14), those afflicted by sickness due to their sin (verses 17-20), and sailors caught in a storm (verses 23-30). Each deliverance is followed by this very verse (or a slight variation, as in verse 15, verse 21, and verse 31), emphasizing that the appropriate human response to God's saving acts is unreserved praise and gratitude.

Key Themes

• Divine Goodness: The verse highlights God's inherent character as fundamentally good. This isn't merely about what He does, but who He is—a benevolent, merciful, and loving God.
• Wonderful Works: Beyond His character, the verse points to God's active involvement in the world through His "wonderful works." These are His miraculous interventions, acts of deliverance, provision, and mighty deeds that demonstrate His power and care for humanity.
• The Call to Praise: The phrase "Oh that [men] would praise the LORD" is an earnest longing and an exhortation for all people to acknowledge God's worthiness. Praise is presented as the fitting and necessary response to witnessing His goodness and works.
• Universal Scope: "To the children of men" signifies that God's goodness and wonderful works are not limited to one group or nation but are manifest for all humanity, inviting a universal response of worship.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "goodness" is primarily chesed (חֶסֶד), which is often translated as "steadfast love," "mercy," or "lovingkindness." It speaks of God's covenant loyalty and unfailing commitment to His people, a deep, active love that goes beyond mere sentiment. This divine attribute is central to understanding God's character throughout the Old Testament. The phrase "wonderful works" comes from the Hebrew niphla'ot (נִפְלָאוֹת), meaning "wonders," "marvels," or "extraordinary deeds." These are acts that evoke awe and astonishment, truly marvelous interventions that reveal God's power and wisdom.

Reflection and Application

Psalms 107:8 serves as a timeless reminder to cultivate a heart of gratitude. In a world often focused on distress and complaint, this verse redirects our attention to the countless ways God demonstrates His care and power. It encourages us to:

• Remember God's Faithfulness: Just as the psalm recounts specific instances of deliverance, we are called to recall how God has acted in our own lives, delivering us from various troubles and providing for our needs.
• Respond with Heartfelt Praise: Our recognition of God's goodness and wonderful works should naturally lead to worship. This praise is not just words but a lifestyle of reverence and thanksgiving, acknowledging His sovereignty and love. For a broader call to praise, Psalm 150:6 urges everything that has breath to praise the Lord.
• Live in Gratitude: By continually acknowledging God's attributes and actions, we foster a spirit of gratitude that can transform our perspective and deepen our relationship with Him. This echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 100:5, which declares that "the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

Ultimately, this verse is a universal invitation for all humanity to join in recognizing and celebrating the incomparable goodness and mighty acts of the living God.