“Oh that men would praise (thank) the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men ! ” (Psalm 107: 8, 15, 21, 31 KJV).
Psalm 107 is a Psalm about the wonders of God’s loving-kindness, in His dealings with His people and the management of the works of nature.
The theme of Psalm 107 is a call to Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving should be given to the Lord for His care over lost travelers (vv. 4-9, over captives (vv. 10-16), over the sick (vv. 17-22), and over seafarers (vv. 23-32).
We may not at the moment find ourselves in any of the situations mentioned, but there have been many situations where we experienced God’s help and should have but most often did not give God thanks.
The word “praise” in our text and other verses refers to means giving of thanks. The Psalm is a call for people who remember how God has helped and delivered them in time of trouble, who should be giving Him thanks, but aren’t. So the Psalmist exclaims, “Oh that men would (will) praise (thank) the LORD for his goodness.”
We, by nature, are very unthankful and ungrateful. We all had to be taught to say “Thank you.” We see more and more people with the attitude that they’re entitled to everything they get and the world owes them. The world doesn’t owe any of us anything; it was here first.
But we all owe thanks to God from Whom we receive all things — “Giving thanks always for all things unto God” (Eph. 5: 20). Whether we’re lost or saved, we’re all sustained by the mighty power of a merciful and loving God. Through common grace, He lets the sun shine, and the rain falls on the just and the unjust (Mt. 5: 45). Through saving grace, He calls us to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Act 20: 21).
We all have much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day and every day.
