Psalms 107:31

Psalms 107:31

Psalm 107 is a psalm of thanksgiving, recounting God’s steadfast mercy in various distressing circumstances: ignorance, exile, danger at sea, hunger, imprisonment, and oppression. The refrain “Then they cry to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivers them” recurs, highlighting a pattern: trouble leads to prayer, prayer leads to deliverance, and deliverance prompts praise. Verse 31 continues this theme by urging grateful praise for God’s goodness and His wonderful works toward humanity. The “children of men” phrase emphasizes the universal reach of God’s acts, not limited to Israel alone. Culturally, the psalm retrieves Israel’s memory of wilderness wandering, strangers in foreign lands, and mariners at peril, then expands it to all people as evidence of divine goodness. Theology-wise, the verse anchors praise in God’s character—His goodness and mighty deeds—and locates gratitude as a response to concrete, observable acts of mercy. It invites communal memory: when communities recount how God delivered, they reinforce trust for future trials.

This verse anchors praise in two interconnected realities: God’s goodness and God’s wondrous deeds. It reframes gratitude from vague sentiment to concrete recognition of mercies—“his goodness” and “his wonderful works.” The psalmist stresses public affirmation: praising God for public acts testifies to God’s faithfulness and forms a shared memory that sustains the community. The scope, “to the children of men,” dethrones any exclusive, ethnic confidence and asserts that divine salvation is universally available and demonstrable. The verse also counters despair by pointing to God’s character as the source of all good outcomes. Theologically, it foreshadows New Testament motifs: praise as a response to God’s saving acts in Christ, and the creation of a worshiping community that proclaims mercy to all nations.

We too can practice deliberate gratitude by naming God’s specific mercies—health restored, a difficult relationship mended, provision in lean times, protection in danger. Keep a “Mercies Journal” and recount at least one concrete deed of God each week. Invite others to share testimonies in small groups or family meals, making God’s works visible in daily life. Public praise can occur in worship, family devotions, or community service where God’s goodness is celebrated through actions that bless others. In workplaces or schools, a habit of thanking God for wisdom, patience, and opportunities models trust and invites others to wonder at God’s care. Remember that the psalmist’s call to praise is not just for private piety but for communal testimony, reinforcing faith across generations.

Cross-References: Psalm 9:1; Psalm 40:5; Psalm 71:8; Psalm 106:1; Psalm 145:5-7