Psalms 107:1
O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Original Language Analysis
הֹד֣וּ
O give thanks
H3034
הֹד֣וּ
O give thanks
Strong's:
H3034
Word #:
1 of 7
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
לַיהוָ֣ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַיהוָ֣ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ט֑וֹב
for he is good
H2896
ט֑וֹב
for he is good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
4 of 7
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
כִּ֖י
H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Psalms 106:1Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.1 Chronicles 16:34O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.2 Chronicles 7:3And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.Psalms 105:1O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.Psalms 100:5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.Psalms 118:1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.2 Chronicles 7:6And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.Luke 1:50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.Psalms 103:17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;1 Chronicles 16:41And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever;
Historical Context
Psalm 107 may have been composed for the return from Babylonian exile, gathering scattered Israelites who experienced God's deliverance. The psalm's structure (four scenes of distress and deliverance) suggests liturgical use, possibly at festivals where returning exiles gave testimony. The refrain 'Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness' (vv. 8, 15, 21, 31) indicates responsive worship. For post-exilic Israel, this psalm celebrated that God's chesed endured even through judgment and exile.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's goodness provide the foundation for thanksgiving?
- What is the relationship between God's covenant love (<em>chesed</em>) and His eternal faithfulness?
- How should the permanence of God's mercy affect our worship and daily life?
Analysis & Commentary
This opening verse establishes the psalm's theme: thanksgiving for God's covenant love. 'O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good' commands corporate gratitude grounded in God's character. 'For he is good' (tov, טוֹב) is the foundation—God's essential goodness motivates thanksgiving. 'For his mercy endureth for ever' uses chesed (חֶסֶד), covenant love/steadfast love/loyal love. This phrase appears as a refrain throughout Scripture (Psalm 136, Chronicles). God's covenant love is eternal, unchanging, and unfailing. Reformed theology emphasizes that God's mercy flows from His covenant commitment, not human merit. Thanksgiving is the fitting response to experiencing God's enduring chesed.