A Psalm of Thanksgiving

1 Chronicles 16:8-36 

What a time of rejoicing it was.  The ark of the covenant of the Lord had finally been returned to the city of David.  King David himself was thanking God for the ark which represented the presence of God amongst his people – God was with them.  David blessed the people and appointed ministers to celebrate and to give thanks to God.  It was a time of thanksgiving; a time to remember the Lord God and all His wonders; a time to worship the One who creates, protects, and provides. 

Though we do not have an ark to bring into a central place of worship we do have much reason to rejoice.  Unlike king David who had to seek the ark out and bring it back to the place of worship, God has sought us out and brings us into His presence.  Unlike King David who had to have the priests make sacrifices and atonement for the people’s sin, God has sent His Son who made the sacrifice and atonement for our sin. But like King David, if we are in Christ – if we’ve come to know the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of God - we should rejoice.  We should be the most thankful and joyous people to be found.  To know that we, who are depraved and full of sin from birth, have been sought out by a Holy God and bought by His own blood and brought into His very presence, we do have much to be thankful for.  To know, that even though we often forget Him and sometimes even despise Him and His ways, that He still loves us, provides, for us, and protects us, we do have much to be thankful for.  What a great God we have!  Like King David, let us give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. 

Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. 

Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders. 

Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad. 

Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually. 

Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth, 

O seed of Israel His servant, Sons of Jacob, His chosen ones! 

He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth. 

Remember His covenant forever, The word which He commanded to a thousand generations, 

The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac. 

He also confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant,saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan, as the portion of your inheritance." 

When they were only a few in number, Very few, and strangers in it, and they wandered about from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people, He permitted no man to oppress them,  and He reproved kings for their sakes, saying, "Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm." 

Sing to the Lord, all the earth; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. 

Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. 

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods. 

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. 

Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and joy are in His place. 

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him; worship the Lord in holy array. 

Tremble before Him, all the earth; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. 

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; And let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns." 

Let the sea roar, and all it contains; Let the field exult, and all that is in it. 

Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord;For He is coming to judge the earth. 

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. 

Then say, "Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks to Thy holy name, and glory in Thy praise." 

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting.

Then all the people said, "Amen," and praised the Lord.

Thanking God with you for who He is, what He has done, and for all that He continues to do. 

By God's Grace ~ Through God's Word ~ For God's Glory!

Chuck Long

©God’sGWG
Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do NOT alter the wording in any way, and you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction.  Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and God will be very pleased with your honesty!  Thanks.

Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By Chuck Long. ©God’sGWG. Website: www.Godsgwg.com. Email: mail@Godsgwg.com.

Back to Weekly Word Archives