Psalm 107:8 "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"
This statement is made four times in this Psalm. If it was only one time,
it still would hold great importance to us, but it is repeated over and over.
Why would it be necessary for it to be repeated so often? And it is not only
repeated, but it ends with an exclamation mark at the end. There are not
many sentences in the Bible that end with that punctuation. So, we can be
certain that there is a great importance given to this statement.
I believe this statement in verse 8 is directly related to the thought in verse
two, "Let the redeemed of the LORD say so." If we can
understand the thoughts and reason for the praise statement, then we will absolutely
be more intent in "saying so". For the next few days, we will briefly
look at what is mentioned between the statements. After verse two, in speaking
about the Lord bringing out Israel from Egypt's slavery, we can understand that
it also speaks of the Lord bringing us out of the slavery of sin in our
lives. Has God brought me out and given me new life in Christ
Jesus? Then I am to "say so."
After the first praise statement, we read in verse nine, "For he
satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." I
wrote about the emptiness that is within each of us and the manner that we
often try to fill that void in our lives. It's sad that all too often, we
look everywhere but the right place trying to fill the empty holes inside of
us. Too many people turn to alcohol and drugs in an attempt to find some sort
of reasoning and satisfaction in life. The truth of the matter is Christ Jesus
is that One Who can fill it. "Oh that men would praise the LORD for
his goodness ... For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry
soul with goodness." If you have ever experienced that contentment
of realizing the sweet presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, then you know the
truth of verse 9 and you have reason to praise the Lord for His goodness.
Chain Breaker by Zach Williams
If you've been walking the same old road for miles and miles
If you've been hearing the same old voice tell the same old lies
If you're trying to fill the same old holes inside
There's a better life, There's a better life
If you've got pain, He's a pain taker
If you feel lost, He's a way maker
If you need freedom or saving
He's a prison-shaking Savior
If you've got chains, He's a chain breaker