What Does Psalm 107:1 Mean by “Give Thanks Unto the Lord; For He Is Good”?

Main Answer

Psalm 107:1 calls people to thank God because His goodness and loving kindness endure. The psalm grounds gratitude first in who God is and then tells stories of people who experience His rescue.

The psalm repeatedly describes groups in trouble who cry to the Lord and are delivered. A repeated refrain calls them to thank God for His loving kindness and wonderful works. For this study, Psalm 107:1-9 gives that principle a concrete setting within What Does Psalm 107:1 Mean by “Give Thanks Unto the Lord; For He Is Good”?.

Gratitude in this psalm is remembrance. People are encouraged to connect present thanksgiving with concrete acts of God’s care rather than using vague religious language. Read that principle alongside Psalm 107:1-9 as this article considers What Does Psalm 107:1 Mean by “Give Thanks Unto the Lord; For He Is Good”?.

Choose one way you have been sustained, helped or redirected and describe it specifically in prayer. Specific memory often strengthens specific gratitude.

For a related free study, read What Does “Every Spiritual Blessing” Mean in Ephesians 1:3?.

For a fuller guided study, see Uncovering Faith: A Christian Devotional on Gratitude (available to our members also).

The Extra Study below examines Psalm 107:1-9 more closely and develops the practical implications of this question.