And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
English Standard Version (ESV)
Beyond just offering thanks, the verse calls for "sacrifices of thanksgiving" – a reminder that gratitude isn't just a feeling, but an active offering, akin to the ancient sacrifices, that honors God. It also highlights declaring God's "works," emphasizing that remembering and proclaiming what God has done is an essential part of our worship.
And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a larger psalm that celebrates God's deliverance of His people through various trials. Following descriptions of people lost in the wilderness, held captive, and suffering from illness, this verse calls for those who have been restored to health to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving. It emphasizes not just the act of sacrifice, but the joyful proclamation of God's mighty deeds in song as a direct response to His healing mercy.
When life gives you blessings, how do you give back? This psalm points to a specific way of responding to God's goodness.
The verse calls for "sacrifices of thanksgiving." This isn't just a feeling; it's an active offering. While the Old Testament involved literal animal sacrifices, the psalm points to a deeper truth that applies to us today. These "sacrifices" are spiritual: our praise, our worship, and our sincere gratitude. They are "sacrifices" because they cost us something – our time, our effort, our willingness to set aside our own agenda to focus on God. They are "of thanksgiving" because their sole purpose is to acknowledge God's goodness and deliverance.
Think of it like this: God has rescued you, healed you, or provided for you. The appropriate response isn't just a quiet 'thanks,' but a vibrant, intentional act of giving back to Him. This acknowledges His sovereignty and our dependence on His mercy.
God's actions deserve more than a private nod; they call for a public declaration filled with overflowing joy.
The second part of the verse is crucial: "and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!" This is about testimony. It's not enough to feel thankful; we're called to declare what God has done. This means actively sharing His mighty acts with others.
Why "songs of joy"? Because God's work is inherently good and worthy of celebration! When we recount His faithfulness, His deliverance, His provision, it should be with genuine, uncontainable joy. This isn't a somber duty; it's a vibrant proclamation that reflects the goodness of the One we serve.
Sharing these testimonies reminds us of His power, encourages fellow believers, and can even draw others to seek the God who performs such wonderful deeds.
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Understand the original words
zebach todah · Hebrew Noun phrase
A ritual act of gratitude presented to God, recognizing that He is the ultimate provider and deliverer; it is a response to His grace.
rinnah · Hebrew Noun
Exultant, vocal expressions of happiness or praise, often used in corporate worship to celebrate God's victory and character.
Psalm 107 is a song of corporate thanksgiving, likely used during the Second Temple period. Its vivid descriptions of deliverance resonate deeply with a people who had experienced the crushing reality of exile and the profound mercy of God in their return and restoration.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Captivity of Northern Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers and deports the Northern Kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and beginning a long period of exile for many.
586 BC
Babylonian Destruction of Jerusalem
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, exiling many Judeans to Babylon.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great overthrows the Babylonian Empire, allowing exiled peoples, including the Judeans, to return to their homelands.
c. 538 BC - 515 BC— this verse
Return from Exile and Second Temple Construction
Exiles begin to return to Jerusalem, rebuilding the city and the Temple. This period of restoration is a key backdrop for the psalm's themes of deliverance and thanksgiving.
c. 444 BC
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Under Nehemiah's leadership, the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt, symbolizing renewed security and community after the exile.
This passage directly connects to Psalm 107:22 by explaining that our spiritual sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, offered through Jesus, are the true sacrifices God desires, replacing the Old Testament animal sacrifices.
1 Chronicles 16:8-9This verse echoes the call in Psalm 107:22 to 'declare his works with rejoicing,' urging God's people to make known His deeds and call on His name, making His wonderful works known to all.
Luke 17:15-16The healing of the ten lepers, where only one returned to give thanks and glorify God, highlights the importance of the joyful declaration of God's deeds that Psalm 107:22 calls for as a response to His deliverance.
Romans 12:1Similar to how Psalm 107:22 speaks of 'sacrifices of thanksgiving,' Romans 12:1 calls believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which includes our acts of worship and praise.
poolePsalms 107:22: "And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing."
Sacrifices of thanksgiving; either properly so called; or praises and thanksgivings to God, which in Scripture are called sacrifices, because they are no less acceptable to God than costly sacrifices.
gillPsalms 107:22: "And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing."
And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,.... Not legal sacrifices, but spiritual and evangelical ones, the sacrifices of praise and thankfulness which God has enjoined are well pleasing to him through Christ, glorify him, and are but our reasonable service; see Hebrews 13:15 . And declare his works with rejoicing: tell them to the children of men, what he has done for them…
Beyond just offering thanks, the verse calls for "sacrifices of thanksgiving" – a reminder that gratitude isn't just a feeling, but an active offering, akin to the ancient sacrifices, that honors God. It also highlights declaring God's "works," emphasizing that remembering and proclaiming what God has done is an essential part of our worship.
This passage is part of a larger psalm that celebrates God's deliverance of His people through various trials. Following descriptions of people lost in the wilderness, held captive, and suffering from illness, this verse calls for those who have been restored to health to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving. It emphasizes not just the act of sacrifice, but the joyful proclamation of God's mighty deeds in song as a direct response to His healing mercy.
This passage is part of a larger psalm that celebrates God's deliverance of His people through various trials. Following descriptions of people lost in the wilderness, held captive, and suffering from illness, this verse calls for those who have been restored to health to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving. It emphasizes not just the act of sacrifice, but the joyful proclamation of God's mighty deeds in song as a direct response to His healing mercy.
"And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!" — Beyond just offering thanks, the verse calls for "sacrifices of thanksgiving" – a reminder that gratitude isn't just a feeling, but an active offering, akin to the ancient sacrifices, that honors God…
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Last reviewed October 2026