Psalm 107:1-8
The same phrase is repeated four times in Psalm 107. Here it is, “Oh, that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (v. 8). In Psalm 107 the psalmist gives us five vivid illustrations of what God has done for us and why we should praise His name. He talks about wanderers, he talks about prisoners. He talks about patients in a hospital; he talks about mariners out on the stormy sea. He talks about those who are seeking to build the city and to sow the seed.
Well, wanderers. “They wandered in the wilderness, in a solitary way;” says verse 4 of Psalm 107, “they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses. And He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.” Then there’s that refrain.

If God has done this for you, say thanks to Him. “Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” This is the way I was before the Lord saved me; lonely, solitary, hungry, thirsty, aimless, wondering where to go next. And then someone told me about the Lord Jesus Christ, that He died on the cross for my sins, He was buried and He arose again the third day. And that today He is a living Savior for all who will call upon Him. And I called upon the Lord. “[I] cried unto the LORD in my trouble and He delivered me out of my distresses.” And now I’m delivered and guided and I’m a part of His family; no longer lonely, no longer hungry and thirsty. He feeds us with the bread of life. We are able to drink the living water. We’re no longer wandering; we’re pilgrims and strangers on our way to a heavenly home.

You know, when you stop to consider all of that, that God is good to us and that He guides us, shouldn’t we praise Him? “Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!”