Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just a pleasant invitation to praise; it's a declaration that God's fundamental goodness and unending kindness are the very foundation for all His actions, extending beyond just Israel to all of humanity. The repeated phrase "for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever" highlights that these aren't separate qualities, but the active, boundless essence of who God is.
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This Psalm kicks off with a universal call to praise God, not just for the Israelites, but for all humanity, highlighting His goodness and enduring love. It then transitions into specific examples of God's saving power, describing the journeys of the lost, the captive, and the suffering, all leading back to the refrain of God's unfailing mercy. The verses that follow will unpack these deliverance stories, illustrating just how God rescues those in deep distress.
Have you ever felt like a praise song was written just for you? This verse starts with an invitation that echoes through time, calling on more than just one nation to sing.
This opening isn't just for ancient Israel; it's a universal call! While similar to Psalm 106:1, which speaks specifically to God's people, Psalm 107:1 seems to broaden the audience to 'all mankind.' It’s God’s goodness and unending mercy that provides the reason for everyone, everywhere, to give thanks. This Psalm unfolds with examples of God's care for people in extreme distress—captives, wanderers, the sick, and sailors. It highlights that God's merciful providence is active in the lives of all people, not just a select few.
Why should we thank God? This verse gives us not one, but two powerful, interconnected reasons. Let's break them down.
The verse presents a twofold basis for our thanksgiving: first, 'for he is good,' and second, 'for his steadfast love endures forever.'
God's Intrinsic Goodness
God's goodness isn't something He does; it's who He is. It's the very nature of His being, a fountain from which all His good actions flow. This is the foundational truth – His inherent character is good.
Enduring Steadfast Love
The second reason, 'his steadfast love endures forever,' expands on His goodness. This isn't fleeting kindness; it's a deep, loyal, covenantal love. The original language often points to a kindness that is faithful, persistent, and uniquely tied to His promises. It's this unwavering, eternal love that provides the constant stream of His goodness flowing into our lives.
Ask a follow-up
Who are the 'redeemed' mentioned here, and why is their testimony so crucial to this Psalm's message?
The phrase 'the redeemed of the LORD' points to those who have experienced God's saving power. While historically it refers to Israel's liberation from exile, its meaning expands. It signifies anyone rescued from a state of bondage—whether from physical captivity, crushing adversity, or even the grip of sin and spiritual darkness.
These are the ones called to declare God's goodness. Their personal testimonies of deliverance are powerful evidence of His enduring mercy. Their lives become living proof that God acts on behalf of those He loves, gathering them and bringing them to a place of safety and belonging. It's a call for those who have tasted God's saving grace to voice their thanks, making His faithfulness known.
Understand the original words
chesed · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew term (hesed) that describes God's covenantal loyalty, unfailing kindness, and devoted love toward His people, which persists regardless of their failures.
Psalm 107's opening call to thanksgiving likely resonates deeply with those who have experienced the horrors of exile and the profound mercy of God in their return. The repeated phrase, 'his steadfast love endures forever,' serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness, even in the darkest historical moments like the fall of Jerusalem.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under King Nebuchadnezzar, many prominent Judeans, including Daniel, were taken captive to Babylon. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
More Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin, were exiled to Babylon following further unrest in Jerusalem.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling the majority of the remaining population to Babylon. This was a devastating blow to the Judean nation.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus, overthrew the Babylonian Empire, creating a new political reality for the exiles.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus Allows Return
Cyrus issued a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.
c. 516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
After years of rebuilding, the Second Temple was completed and dedicated, marking a significant moment of restoration for the returned exiles.
This verse is a direct repetition from Psalms 106:1, highlighting its importance as a foundational declaration of God's unchanging goodness and enduring mercy.
Jeremiah 33:11This passage echoes the very words of Psalm 107:1, prophesying a future time when the people will joyfully proclaim 'Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for he is good; his love endures forever!' showing this is a truth that resonates throughout Scripture.
1 Chronicles 16:34Similar to Psalm 107:1, this verse is a powerful call to 'Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever,' emphasizing the continuous and universal nature of God's goodness.
Nehemiah 9:17This passage recounts God's past faithfulness, stating 'But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, steadfast love,' which directly supports the declaration in Psalm 107:1 about His enduring mercy.
Ephesians 2:4-5This New Testament passage speaks of God's immense mercy towards us, 'But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions,' showing that the 'steadfast love' celebrated in the Psalms is actively demonstrated in our salvation.
bensonPsalms 107:1: "O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."
Psalm 107:1-3 . O give thanks, &c. — This whole verse occurs also Psalm 106:1 ; only there the address is made to the Israelites, here, it seems, to all mankind. For his mercy endureth for ever — “Eternal mercy is the theme here proposed; and they who have tasted its sweets, are invited to join in setting forth its praises.” Let the redeemed say so — All those whom God hath redeemed, as it is expressed…
clarkePsalms 107:1: "O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."
O give thanks - Here is a duty prescribed; and the reasons of it are immediately laid down. 1. He is good. This is his nature. 2. His mercy endureth for ever. This is the stream that flows from the fountain of his goodness.
This verse isn't just a pleasant invitation to praise; it's a declaration that God's fundamental goodness and unending kindness are the very foundation for all His actions, extending beyond just Israel to all of humanity. The repeated phrase "for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever" highlights that these aren't separate qualities, but the active, boundless essence of who God is.
This Psalm kicks off with a universal call to praise God, not just for the Israelites, but for all humanity, highlighting His goodness and enduring love. It then transitions into specific examples of God's saving power, describing the journeys of the lost, the captive, and the suffering, all leading back to the refrain of God's unfailing mercy. The verses that follow will unpack these deliverance stories, illustrating just how God rescues those in deep distress.
This Psalm kicks off with a universal call to praise God, not just for the Israelites, but for all humanity, highlighting His goodness and enduring love. It then transitions into specific examples of God's saving power, describing the journeys of the lost, the captive, and the suffering, all leading back to the refrain of God's unfailing mercy. The verses that follow will unpack these deliverance stories, illustrating just how God rescues those in deep distress.
"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" — This verse isn't just a pleasant invitation to praise; it's a declaration that God's fundamental goodness and unending kindness are the very foundation for all His actions, extending beyond just Is…
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Last reviewed October 2026