Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just a general call to give thanks; it specifically urges praise for God's steadfast love and his wondrous works to all humanity. The psalm highlights that these incredible acts of deliverance are extended not just to a select few, but to all humankind, underscoring the vastness of God's grace for everyone, regardless of their merit.
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse serves as a refrain within Psalm 107, which recounts instances of God's deliverance for His people who cry out to Him in their distress. Following descriptions of travelers lost and suffering, this verse exclaims the deep obligation of those rescued to praise God for His unfailing love and the amazing ways He intervenes for humanity. The passage immediately before highlights specific hardships, while what follows offers an example of how God satisfies the needs of those He has redeemed.
Why does the psalm shift from describing deliverance to issuing a command for praise? It's more than a suggestion; it's a divine expectation.
This verse isn't just a nice thought; it's an earnest plea, a plea from God Himself echoing through the psalm. While translated as "Oh that men would praise," the original Hebrew leans more towards "Let them praise." This is a call to action, a recognition that those who have experienced God's saving power have a deep, inherent obligation to offer Him thanks.
Think of it this way: when someone shows you extraordinary kindness, especially in a moment of desperate need, your natural response is gratitude. The psalm argues that God's acts of goodness and wonder are so profound that they demand this response from all of humanity, not just those who have recently been rescued. It's a universal invitation to acknowledge His character.
God's 'wonderful works' are for whom? Is it only for a select few, or is there a broader scope to His divine actions?
The psalm highlights that God's 'wonderful works' are not confined to a single group or nation. They are "to the children of man," a phrase encompassing all of humanity. This is a crucial point! It means God's goodness and miraculous interventions are intended to be recognized by everyone.
Even though the psalm often focuses on Israel's deliverance, the concluding exhortation broadens the scope. God's character, revealed through His mighty acts—whether it's leading a people through a desert or sustaining life itself—is something that all people should witness and thank Him for. It’s a testament to His universal care and power, a goodness extended to every descendant of Adam, even those who are undeserving.
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Understand the original words
hesed · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew word 'hesed' refers to God's loyal, covenantal, and unfailing love; it is an active, sacrificial commitment that persists despite the unworthiness of the recipient.
pele' · Hebrew Noun
Refers to miraculous, extraordinary, or incomprehensible acts performed by God that display His power, sovereignty, and grace in history.
This psalm's call to praise echoes the collective memory of Israel's dramatic history – from miraculous deliverances like the Exodus and the return from exile, to the everyday journey of life through this 'dangerous and dreary wilderness'.
c. 1550 – 1070 BC
New Kingdom Egypt
This era saw Egypt as a major imperial power, with significant interactions and conflicts with surrounding regions, impacting trade routes and political stability. It provides a backdrop for the Israelites' early experiences and reliance on divine guidance.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and their subsequent forty years of wandering in the desert. This foundational event is a prime example of God's 'wonderful works' and 'steadfast love'.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy of Israel
The period of Kings Saul, David, and Solomon, marked by the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital and the building of the First Temple. This was a time of national unity and divine favor.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple by the Babylonians, leading to the exile of many Judeans. This profound national crisis tested faith and demonstrated the consequences of disobedience.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Decree
The Persian king Cyrus the Great allows the exiled Judeans to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marked the beginning of the return and restoration period.
c. 516 BC— this verse
Completion of the Second Temple
The rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, a significant milestone in the post-exilic community's spiritual and national restoration.
This passage echoes the call to praise the Lord for his 'works,' specifically highlighting his 'gracious and merciful' character and the remembrance of his wonderful deeds.
Psalms 136:1-3This Psalm is a powerful extended exhortation to thank the Lord, emphasizing His 'steadfast love' and His 'wondrous works,' directly mirroring the themes in Psalm 107:8.
Jeremiah 33:10-11This prophetic passage speaks of a future restoration where the land will rejoice and give thanks, proclaiming 'The LORD is good; for his steadfast love endures forever,' connecting the goodness and enduring love to future praise.
Luke 1:49The Magnificat, sung by Mary, declares that the Mighty One has done 'great things' for her, and His mercy is for those who fear Him, reflecting the 'wonderful works' done for humanity.
bensonPsalms 107:8: "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"
Psalm 107:8-9 . O that men would praise — Hebrew, let them praise, or, they shall praise, that is, they are highly obliged to praise. It is meant chiefly of those whom God has graciously relieved. The Lord for his goodness — To them in particular; and for his wonderful works to the children of men — To others, as well as to themselves; and to the children of men, as well as to…
poolePsalms 107:8: "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"
Oh that men would praise! Heb. Let them praise . Or, They shall praise , i.e. they are highly obliged to praise. To the children of men; not only to his peculiar people, but to all mankind, to whom he is very kind and bountiful.
This verse isn't just a general call to give thanks; it specifically urges praise for God's steadfast love and his wondrous works to all humanity. The psalm highlights that these incredible acts of deliverance are extended not just to a select few, but to all humankind, underscoring the vastness of God's grace for everyone, regardless of their merit.
This verse serves as a refrain within Psalm 107, which recounts instances of God's deliverance for His people who cry out to Him in their distress. Following descriptions of travelers lost and suffering, this verse exclaims the deep obligation of those rescued to praise God for His unfailing love and the amazing ways He intervenes for humanity. The passage immediately before highlights specific hardships, while what follows offers an example of how God satisfies the needs of those He has redeemed.
This verse serves as a refrain within Psalm 107, which recounts instances of God's deliverance for His people who cry out to Him in their distress. Following descriptions of travelers lost and suffering, this verse exclaims the deep obligation of those rescued to praise God for His unfailing love and the amazing ways He intervenes for humanity. The passage immediately before highlights specific hardships, while what follows offers an example of how God satisfies the needs of those He has redeemed.
"Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!" — This verse isn't just a general call to give thanks; it specifically urges praise for God's steadfast love and his wondrous works to all humanity. The psalm highlights that these incredible acts…
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Last reviewed October 2026