Why should we give thanksgiving to the Lord?

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so.” (Psalm 107:1-2 ESV)

Give thanks to the Lord for who He is. The attributes expressed here are God’s goodness and love. God is always good. He always does what is good. “You are good and do good” (Psalm 119:68). For the redeemed He works all things for good (Rom. 8:28). God is love. God loves His people with a steadfast love. While the love of man may come and go, God’s love for you is constant and faithful. His steadfast love endures forever. It is a love that never leaves you nor forsakes you.

“Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!” (Psalm 107:8 ESV)

Give thanks to the Lord for what He does. The Lord expresses His love in action. He has done wondrous works for us. In love “He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things” (Psalm 107:9 ESV). He disciplines the one He loves (Heb. 12:6). He delivers those whom He loves (Rom. 8:35-39).  In love He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:5). His love is manifested most gloriously in our salvation: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV).

God is so good. He shows His steadfast love in wonderful deeds to us despite our limitations and our sin.  While there is nothing good in and of ourselves, God freely chose to express His infinite goodness and supremely valuable love to us.

What should be the response from the recipients of such grace? Give thanks to the Lord. For He is good. For His steadfast love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.