Psalms 107:8

KJV

Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!

KJV (with Strong's)

Oh that men would praise {H3034} the LORD {H3068} for his goodness {H2617}, and for his wonderful works {H6381} to the children {H1121} of men {H120}!

Complete Jewish Bible

Let them give thanks to ADONAI for his grace, for his wonders bestowed on humanity!

Berean Standard Bible

Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.

American Standard Version

Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 107:8 serves as a profound and recurring refrain within Psalm 107, punctuating a series of narratives that vividly portray God's sovereign intervention and deliverance. It functions as an earnest, universal call to humanity to offer heartfelt praise to the LORD, acknowledging both His inherent, benevolent character ("goodness") and His active, miraculous deeds ("wonderful works") on behalf of all people. This verse encapsulates the psalm's central message: God is worthy of unreserved gratitude and adoration for His unfailing mercy and powerful acts of salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 107 is a majestic psalm of thanksgiving, structured around four distinct scenarios of human distress and divine deliverance, each culminating in the repeated refrain found in verse 8 (or its variations in [Psalm 107:15](/psalms/107-15 "Psalm 107:15 - Another Call to Praise"), [Psalm 107:21](/psalms/107-21 "Psalm 107:21 - A Similar Refrain"), and [Psalm 107:31](/psalms/107-31 "Psalm 107:31 - The Final Recurrence")). The psalm opens with a general call to praise God for His enduring mercy ([Psalm 107:1](/psalms/107-1 "Psalm 107:1 - God's Enduring Mercy")), then illustrates this mercy through the experiences of wanderers lost in the wilderness ([Psalm 107:4-6](/psalms/107-4 "Psalm 107:4-6 - Deliverance of Wanderers")), prisoners in darkness and chains ([Psalm 107:10-14](/psalms/107-10 "Psalm 107:10-14 - God Delivers Prisoners")), those afflicted by sickness due to their sin ([Psalm 107:17-20](/psalms/107-17 "Psalm 107:17-20 - Healing for the Afflicted")), and sailors imperiled by a violent storm ([Psalm 107:23-30](/psalms/107-23 "Psalm 107:23-30 - God Calms the Storm")). The strategic repetition of verse 8 underscores that the appropriate and necessary human response to God's consistent and powerful acts of salvation is profound and public praise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the exact authorship and date of Psalm 107 are debated, many scholars place it in the post-exilic period, possibly as a liturgical piece for those returning from exile or for pilgrims celebrating God's faithfulness at the temple. The scenarios depicted—wandering, imprisonment, sickness, and perilous journeys—resonate deeply with the experiences of the Jewish people throughout their history, particularly the Babylonian exile and subsequent return. The psalm reflects a worldview where divine intervention is expected and celebrated, and where communal thanksgiving is a vital aspect of worship. The concept of God's "goodness" (חֶסֶד, _chesed_) was central to Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, signifying His steadfast love and covenant loyalty, while "wonderful works" (נִפְלָאוֹת, _niphla'ot_) referred to the awe-inspiring miracles and mighty deeds that demonstrated His power and commitment to His people, from the Exodus to their restoration.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 107, and particularly verse 8, powerfully articulates several core theological themes. The overarching theme is **Divine Deliverance**, showcasing God's active involvement in human affairs to rescue those in distress, regardless of the cause of their predicament. This deliverance is rooted in God's **Unfailing Goodness and Steadfast Love** (חֶסֶד, _chesed_), which is not merely a passive attribute but an active, benevolent force that compels Him to act on behalf of His creation. The psalm also highlights God's **Sovereignty over Creation and Circumstance**, demonstrating His control over natural elements and human conditions. Consequently, the central human response called for is **Heartfelt Praise and Thanksgiving**, recognizing that gratitude is the fitting and necessary response to such divine benevolence. Finally, the phrase "to the children of men" emphasizes the **Universal Scope of God's Care**, extending His goodness and wonderful works beyond a specific nation to all humanity, inviting a broad, inclusive response of worship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Praise (Hebrew, _yadah'_):** The Hebrew verb יָדָה (_yadah_) in the Hiphil stem, translated as "praise," carries a rich meaning beyond mere verbal commendation. It implies an outstretched hand, a confession, an acknowledgment, and an act of thanksgiving. It suggests a public, open declaration of God's worthiness, often accompanied by physical gestures of adoration. In this context, it is not just a polite nod to God but a fervent, wholehearted expression of gratitude and adoration for His character and deeds.
* **Goodness (Hebrew, _chesed'_):** The Hebrew word חֶסֶד (_chesed_) is one of the most profound theological terms in the Old Testament. While translated as "goodness" here, it is more accurately rendered as "steadfast love," "lovingkindness," "mercy," or "covenant loyalty." It describes God's active, loyal, and compassionate love that endures despite human failings. It is not just a feeling but a commitment that manifests in concrete actions, forming the very foundation of God's relationship with His people and His benevolent acts toward all humanity.
* **Wonderful Works (Hebrew, _niphla'ot'_):** The Hebrew term נִפְלָאוֹת (_niphla'ot_) refers to "wonders," "marvels," or "extraordinary deeds." These are acts that transcend human capability and evoke awe and astonishment. They are God's miraculous interventions, His mighty deeds that demonstrate His power, wisdom, and active presence in the world. In Psalm 107, these "wonderful works" are the specific acts of deliverance recounted, serving as tangible evidence of His _chesed_.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Oh that [men] would praise the LORD":** This phrase expresses an earnest, almost yearning desire or exhortation. The "Oh that" (יָדוּ, _yadu_) conveys a fervent wish that humanity would respond appropriately to God's character and actions. The call is for "men" (בְּנֵי אָדָם, _b'nei adam_ - literally "sons of Adam" or "children of humanity"), indicating a universal scope for this praise. The act of "praising the LORD" is presented as the fitting and necessary response to His divine nature and deeds. It is an invitation to acknowledge His sovereignty and worth.
* **"[for] his goodness":** This clause provides the first reason for praise. God's "goodness" (חֶסֶד, _chesed_) refers to His inherent character of steadfast love, mercy, and covenant faithfulness. It is His benevolent disposition, His unchanging nature as a God who is fundamentally good and committed to His creation. Praise is due not just for what He does, but for who He is.
* **"and [for] his wonderful works":** This clause offers the second, complementary reason for praise. God's "wonderful works" (נִפְלָאוֹת, _niphla'ot_) are the tangible manifestations of His goodness. These are His miraculous, awe-inspiring acts of intervention, deliverance, provision, and preservation throughout history and in individual lives. They are the visible proofs of His active power and care, providing concrete evidence for the praise that is due.
* **"to the children of men!":** This concluding phrase reiterates the universal recipient and beneficiary of God's goodness and wonderful works. It emphasizes that God's benevolent actions are not confined to a specific people or nation but are extended to all humanity. Therefore, the call to praise is also universal, inviting everyone to recognize and respond to the divine care that touches all lives.

#### Literary Devices
The power of Psalms 107:8 lies in its masterful use of several literary devices. Most prominently, it functions as a **Refrain**, a repeated phrase or verse that recurs at intervals throughout the psalm. This repetition serves to emphasize the central message of thanksgiving and to create a rhythmic, almost liturgical quality, reinforcing the idea that praise is the consistent and appropriate response to God's deliverance in various circumstances. The phrase "Oh that [men] would praise the LORD" also employs **Exhortation** or **Apostrophe**, directly addressing an implied audience (all humanity) with an earnest plea. Furthermore, there is a subtle **Parallelism** between "his goodness" and "his wonderful works," where the former refers to God's character and the latter to His actions, suggesting that both His being and His doing are equally worthy of praise. The psalm's structure, with its repeated cycles of distress, crying out, deliverance, and the refrain, exemplifies **Repetition with Variation**, driving home the theological point through a compelling narrative pattern.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 107:8 encapsulates a foundational truth of biblical theology: God's character (His goodness/steadfast love) is inextricably linked to His actions (His wonderful works). This verse calls humanity to a posture of responsive praise, recognizing that true worship flows from an apprehension of both who God is and what He has done. It underscores the covenantal nature of God, whose _chesed_ is the bedrock of His relationship with His people, manifesting in countless acts of salvation and provision. The universal scope ("children of men") anticipates a global recognition of God's glory, inviting all to participate in the worship due to Him, a theme that resonates throughout the prophetic literature and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament's vision of a multi-ethnic church.

* [Psalms 100:5](/psalms/100-5 "Psalm 100:5 - The LORD is Good and His Mercy Endures")
* [Psalms 145:3-7](/psalms/145-3 "Psalm 145:3-7 - God's Greatness, Wonderful Works, and Goodness")
* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - Revelation of God's Character: Merciful, Gracious, Abounding in Steadfast Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 107:8 is more than an ancient call to worship; it is a timeless invitation to cultivate a lifestyle of gratitude and wonder. In a world often consumed by complaint, anxiety, and self-focus, this verse redirects our gaze heavenward, prompting us to intentionally recall and acknowledge the countless ways God's goodness and power have intersected with our lives. It challenges us to move beyond a passive recognition of blessings to an active, heartfelt expression of praise. This involves remembering specific instances of God's deliverance, provision, and comfort, and allowing those memories to fuel our worship. By consistently meditating on God's character and His mighty deeds, we transform our perspective, fostering a deep sense of humility and dependence on Him. Such a posture of praise not only honors God but also nourishes our own souls, drawing us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with our benevolent Creator and Redeemer.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways have I experienced God's "goodness" (His steadfast love and mercy) in my life recently?**
* **What are some of God's "wonderful works" (His powerful interventions or provisions) that I can identify in my personal history or in the world around me?**
* **How does my daily life reflect a genuine posture of praise and gratitude for God's character and actions?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more consistent and heartfelt practice of praising the LORD?**

### FAQ
**Why is this verse repeated so many times in Psalm 107?**

Answer: The repetition of Psalms 107:8 (or its slight variations) is a key literary and theological device in Psalm 107. It serves as a powerful refrain that punctuates each of the four narrative sections detailing God's deliverance from various forms of distress. This repetition emphasizes several crucial points: first, it highlights the **consistent nature of God's goodness and His willingness to save** in diverse circumstances; second, it underscores that **praise is the universal and appropriate human response** to every act of divine salvation; and third, it creates a **liturgical rhythm**, suggesting the psalm may have been used in communal worship or thanksgiving ceremonies, where the congregation would repeatedly affirm God's worthiness. The repetition reinforces the central message that God's steadfast love endures, and His wonderful works are always worthy of acclaim, as seen in [Psalm 107:1](/psalms/107-1 "Psalm 107:1 - God's Enduring Mercy").

**What is the significance of "the children of men" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "the children of men" (בְּנֵי אָדָם, _b'nei adam_) is significant because it broadens the scope of God's goodness and wonderful works to **all humanity**, not just a specific group or nation like Israel. While Psalm 107 certainly resonates with Israel's historical experiences (e.g., the return from exile, as mentioned in [Psalm 107:2-3](/psalms/107-2 "Psalm 107:2-3 - The Redeemed of the Lord")), the call to praise is explicitly universal. This suggests that God's benevolent care and His powerful interventions are not limited to one people but are manifest for everyone, inviting a universal response of worship and gratitude. It anticipates a time when all nations will recognize and praise the LORD, a theme echoed in prophetic books like [Isaiah 45:22](/isaiah/45-22 "Isaiah 45:22 - Look to Me and Be Saved, All the Ends of the Earth").

**How does "goodness" relate to "wonderful works" in this verse?**

Answer: In Psalms 107:8, "goodness" (חֶסֶד, _chesed_ - steadfast love/mercy) and "wonderful works" (נִפְלָאוֹת, _niphla'ot_ - marvelous deeds) are intrinsically linked and complementary. "Goodness" refers to **God's inherent character and benevolent nature**—who He is at His core. It is His unchanging attribute of loyal, compassionate love. "Wonderful works," on the other hand, refer to **the tangible manifestations and expressions of that goodness**—what He does. His mighty acts of deliverance, healing, and provision are not arbitrary displays of power but flow directly from His loving and merciful character. Therefore, we are called to praise God not only for His amazing deeds but also for the underlying divine nature that prompts them. His works are the evidence of His goodness, and His goodness is the source of His works, as exemplified in [Psalm 145:9](/psalms/145-9 "Psalm 145:9 - The LORD is Good to All").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:8 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the supreme manifestation of God's "goodness" (חֶסֶד, _chesed_) and the embodiment of His "wonderful works" (נִפְלָאוֹת, _niphla'ot_) "to the children of men." In Jesus, God's steadfast love and mercy are not just proclaimed but incarnated; as [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") declares, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth." His life was a continuous series of "wonderful works"—healing the sick, casting out demons, calming storms, and raising the dead—all demonstrating God's power and compassion to deliver humanity from various forms of distress, far surpassing the examples in Psalm 107. The climax of God's goodness and wonderful works is found in Christ's atoning death and glorious resurrection, which offer the ultimate deliverance from sin, death, and spiritual bondage ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Deliverance from Darkness")). Through Him, God has provided the greatest salvation for "the children of men," inviting all to receive His goodness and respond with praise. As [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed Be God Who Has Blessed Us in Christ") proclaims, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing," prompting a praise that echoes the psalmist's longing, now fulfilled in the Lamb who is worthy of all glory and honor ([Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The Lamb is Worthy")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 147:1

¶ Praise ye the LORD: for [it is] good to sing praises unto our God; for [it is] pleasant; [and] praise is comely.

Daniel 6:27

He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

Psalms 107:31

Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!

Daniel 4:2

I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.

Daniel 4:3

How great [are] his signs! and how mighty [are] his wonders! his kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion [is] from generation to generation.

Psalms 78:4

We will not hide [them] from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

Psalms 107:21

Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!