The theme of Psalm 107 is easy to determine. “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” echoes resoundingly through the psalm (see vv. 8, 15, 21, 31). In various settings of life, the psalmist declares the appropriateness of giving thanks in all things. These are:
- When God has satisfied your longing, hungry soul with goodness (v. 9) after a period of physical and/or spiritual desolation (vv. 4-5), when He has delivered you out of trouble and distress and has led you forth by the right way (vv. 6-7), it is time to thank God for His goodness.
- When God has broken the bondage caused by personal rebellion and rejection of His wisdom (vv. 10-12) and has answered your cries of distress (v. 13) with deliverance (vv. 14, 16), it is time to thank God for His goodness.
- When God has healed your soul and delivered you from foolish behavior and the guilt of sinful actions (vv. 17-18), when He has heard your troubled cries (v. 18) and sent His word to rescue you from certain destruction (v. 20), it is time to thank God for His goodness.
- When the forces of nature have terrified you and brought you to your wits’ end (vv. 23-27) and God has heard your distressed cry for help—calming the storm and guiding you to a haven of safety (vv. 28-30), it is time to thank God for His goodness.
- When God has brought His judgment upon the wicked (vv. 33-34), when He has blessed you with material provisions (vv. 35-38), when the unrighteous and mighty are brought low (vv. 39-40), when the afflicted are delivered and blessed (v. 41), when good triumphs over evil (v. 42), it is time to thank God for His goodness.
“Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord” (v. 43).
Thank God for His goodness.
