Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story- those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. (Psalm 107:1-9)
"Give Thanks to the Lord" Bible Context
O give thanks unto the Lord - As all men should do, at all times and for all things; the psalm begins as the former does and gives the same reasons for thanksgiving.
For he is good; - and does good, and is the author of all good.
For his mercy endureth forever; - and men in every age are partakers of it.
Here is a general call to all to give thanks to God. Let all that sing this psalm, or pray over it, set themselves herein to give thanks to the Lord, and those that have not any particular matter for praise may furnish themselves with matter enough from God's universal goodness. In the fountain he is good; in the streams, his mercy endures forever and never fails.
In these verses, there is a reference to the deliverance from Egypt and perhaps that from Babylon: but the circumstances of travelers in those countries are also noted. It is scarcely possible to conceive the horrors suffered by the hapless traveler when crossing the trackless sands exposed to the burning rays of the sum. The words describe their case, whom the Lord has redeemed from the bondage of Satan, who pass through the world as a dangerous and dreary wilderness, often ready to faint through troubles, fears, and temptations. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, after God, and communion with him, shall be filled with the goodness of his house, both in grace and glory.
What Is the Larger Theme of Psalm 107?
This psalm focuses on the Lord’s redemption of the nation from captivity in Babylon. While the circumstances described in the psalm could be experienced by almost anyone, they primarily apply to what Israel had to endure while in captivity. Isaiah often uses the word “redeemed” to describe this great deliverance (Isa. 35:9).
Note the words describing their plight: adversity, trouble and distress, misery, labor, affliction, destruction, oppression, and sorrow. The psalmist begins by urging us to thank the Lord for His goodness and mercy (lovingkindness), and he closes by exhorting us to be wise and learn from other people's mistakes. The people described in this psalm needed God’s help, either because of their own folly or because of circumstances beyond their control, and they called on the Lord, and He delivered them. Five specific situations are described involving people who lose something valuable:
When You Lose Your Way (Psalm 107:4-9)
When You Lose Your Freedom (Psalm 107:10-16)
When You Lose Your Health (Psalm 107:17-22)
When You Lose Your Hope (Psalm 107:23-32)
When You Lose Your Home (Psalm 107:33-43)
Excerpt from Wiersbe Bible Commentary
Bible Verses Talk about Giving Thanks to God
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Psalm 100:1-5 - A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 107:1 - Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Psalm 150:6 - Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Ephesians 5:20 - Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Hebrews 13:15 - Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.
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