Give Thanks To God For He Is Good – Hymn Lyric
“Give Thanks to God for His Goodness: A Hymn of Appreciation and Gratitude” is a beautiful hymn that reminds us to be grateful for God’s goodness. It is divided into four parts, each focusing on different groups of people who have experienced God’s wonders and deliverance. From travelers to prisoners, the sick, mariners, and planters, this hymn encourages us all to give thanks and make known God’s wonderful works.
Table of Contents
Give Thanks To God For He Is Good
Give thanks to God, for he is good
His mercy ever flows,
So let the Lord‘s redeemed say,
Whom he released from foes;
And gathered them from foreign lands,
From north, south, east, and west.
They strolled through desert’s untrod ways;
And found no place of rest.
Hunger, and thirst, their fainting souls
Did grievously oppress.
To God, in trouble, then they cried,
Who freed them from distress.
He led them forth in a right way,
And was their faithful guide;
Till they arrived at cities, where
Their wants were all supplied.
Let all with thanks, Jehovah praise,
And make his goodness known;
For he among the sons of men,
Works wonderful hath done.
The strong desire of longing souls
He kindly satisfies;
With fruits of his benignity,
The hungry soul supplies.
Second Part, To Prisoners:
Who sit in darkness, and death’s shade,
With grief, and chains, bowed down:
Because God’s word, and council they
Dispised, and would not own:
He humbled their proud hearts with toil,
They fell, and none could save.
To God, in trouble, then they cried,
And he deliverance gave.
Their darkness, and death’s shade, he changed
To light, by his kind word;
He broke their galling bands in twain,
And liberty restored.
Let all, with thanks Jehovah praise
And make his goodness known;
For he, among the sons of men,
Works wonderful hath done.
For by his strength, the gates of brass
Are into pieces broke;
The massy bars of iron are cut,
Asunder by his stroke.
Third Part. To the Sick:
Fools rashly break through sacred laws,
To gratify their sense;
Till with diseases they’re chastised,
To punish their offense.
Their soul a painful loathing feels
To every kind of meat;
And they, their near approaches make
To death’s unfriendly gate.
To God, in trouble, then they cry;
Who their distress relieves.
His sovereign word their sickness heals,
And them from death reprieves.
Let all, with thanks, Jehovah praise,
And make his goodness known;
For he among the sons of men,
Works wonderful hath done.
To him, let all their sacrifice,
With thankful hearts, be brought;
Declare with joy, to all the world,
What God, for them, hath wrought.
Fourth Part. To Mariners:
Who sail in ships o’er mighty seas,
And hope great gain to reap:
These do behold Jehovah’s work;
His wonders in the deep.
He speaks; and stormy winds arise;
Like mounts, the billows rear.
To heaven they climb, then sink in gulfs;
Their soul dissolves with fear.
They reel, and stagger, drunkard like,
Terrors their minds oppress.
To God in trouble, then they cry,
Who frees them from distress.
He stills the winds, and calms the seas,
And quells their rougher sport.
O. They’re glad of rest; he brings them safe,
To their desired port.
Let all, with thanks, Jehovah praise,
And make his goodness known;
For he, among the sons of men,
Works wonderful hath done.
Let them, in private companies.
His honor highly raise;
And where the assembled elders meet,
Unite to spread his praise.
Fifth Part. To Planters:
Rivers he turns to desert sands;
And dries the fountains heads.
Provoked by daring crimes, with salt;
The fruitful soil he spreads.
He turns the desert into pools;
Dry ground, a springing well.
The hungry there he seats, who build,
A city where they dwell,
They sow their fields, and vineyards plant,
Which bring increased stocks.
S. His blessing multiplies their race;
Nor, lessens he their flocks.
, But when they sin, they’re greatly thinned,
And soon brought low again;
By foreign, and domestic ills,
Oppressed, and filled with pain.
On princes, who provoke his wrath,
He pours contempt, and scorn;
He makes them traverse trackless wastes,
Unpitied, and forlorn.
The humble poor he seats om high,
And doth from trouble keep;
He makes his families increase,
Like fruitful flocks of sheep.
The just shall see, and shall rejoice;
But th’ impious silent grow.
The wise will these events observe;
And God’s great goodness know.
Meaning of Give Thanks To God For He Is Good – Hymn Lyric
Give Thanks to God for His Goodness: A Hymn of Appreciation and Gratitude
In times of trouble and distress, it is important to remember the goodness of God. The hymn “Give Thanks to God for He Is Good” beautifully captures the sentiment of gratitude and praise towards our Creator. Written in four parts, each section focuses on a different group of individuals who have experienced God’s wonders and deliverance.
The first part of the hymn, addressed to travelers, emphasizes the importance of thanking God for His mercy and guidance. The travelers, who have been released from their enemies and gathered from foreign lands, have faced countless challenges and hardships. They have traversed through untrod ways, experiencing hunger and thirst that oppressed their souls. However, in their troubles, they cried out to God, who faithfully led them and provided for their needs. Their testimony serves as a reminder that God works wonders among His people and satisfies the longing souls with His goodness.
The second part of the hymn shifts the focus to prisoners who sit in darkness and are burdened by chains. These individuals have disregarded God’s word and counsel, and as a consequence, find themselves humbled and trapped in their own despair. Yet, when they cry out to God in their distress, He delivers them and brings light into their darkness. The hymn encourages all to praise God and make known His goodness, as He breaks the gates of brass and cuts the bars of iron, offering freedom and liberation to those who seek Him.
The third part of the hymn highlights the sick, who suffer from diseases that serve as a consequence of their foolish actions. They experience loathing towards food and approach death’s gate. Yet, when they cry out to God, He relieves their distress, heals their sickness, and spares them from death. Once again, the hymn emphasizes the importance of offering thanks to God and declaring His wonders to all, as He works miracles among His people.
The fourth part of the hymn addresses mariners, who face the unpredictable and treacherous deep seas. These sailors witness the wonders of God in the midst of storms and waves that threaten their lives. However, when they cry out to God, He answers their prayers and calms the seas, bringing them safely to their desired destination. This section reiterates the call to give thanks and make known God’s goodness, as He performs marvelous works among His creation.
The final part of the hymn focuses on planters, who witness both the blessings and consequences of their actions. God has the power to turn rivers into deserts and fruitful soil into barren land as a result of disobedience. However, when they sow their fields and plant their vineyards, God blesses them abundantly and multiplies their blessings. This section serves as a reminder that God rewards the righteous and humbles the proud, and calls upon all to observe and acknowledge His goodness.
Throughout this hymn, the overarching message is clear – we are to give thanks to God for His goodness. Regardless of our circumstances or the challenges we face, God is faithful and works wonders among His people. He guides us, delivers us, heals us, and provides for our needs. Therefore, let us unite in praise and gratitude, spreading the knowledge of God’s wonders to all who will listen. May all who hear this hymn of appreciation and gratitude be inspired to reflect and give thanks to God for He is truly good.
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