Psalms 107:8
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Original Language Analysis
יוֹד֣וּ
Oh that men would praise
H3034
יוֹד֣וּ
Oh that men would praise
Strong's:
H3034
Word #:
1 of 6
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
the LORD
H3068
לַיהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 6
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
חַסְדּ֑וֹ
for his goodness
H2617
חַסְדּ֑וֹ
for his goodness
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
3 of 6
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו
and for his wonderful
H6381
וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו
and for his wonderful
Strong's:
H6381
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful
Cross References
Psalms 107:31Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!Daniel 6:27He 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 147:1Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.Isaiah 63:7I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.Psalms 107:21Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!Psalms 78:4We 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 107:15Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!Psalms 111:4He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.Deuteronomy 32:29O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
Historical Context
Each occurrence of this refrain follows a deliverance scenario, calling for appropriate response. Throughout Scripture, God's mighty acts are meant to evoke worship (Exodus 15; Judges 5; 2 Samuel 22). Yet humans characteristically fail to thank God adequately (Luke 17:17-18). The psalm's repeated refrain hammers home that experiencing God's deliverance demands thanksgiving, which many neglect.
Questions for Reflection
- Why do people fail to adequately praise God despite His goodness and works?
- What is the relationship between experiencing God's deliverance and giving thanks?
- How can we cultivate a lifestyle of continual thanksgiving for God's wonderful works?
Analysis & Commentary
This is the psalm's first refrain (repeated in vv. 15, 21, 31). 'Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness' is both wish and exhortation—expressing desire that people would respond appropriately to God's goodness. 'Praise' (yadah, יָדָה) means to give thanks, confess, acknowledge. 'For his goodness' points to God's character as motivation. 'And for his wonderful works to the children of men' adds God's deeds toward humanity. The refrain emphasizes that God's redemptive acts toward humanity deserve public thanksgiving. The 'Oh that' suggests that proper praise is rare—most don't adequately thank God despite His goodness and works. This rebukes human ingratitude.