How shall we thank Him
For all that He’s done
For all that He is
For each battle He’s won
The Heavenly Father, Good Shepherd
and King
Acknowledge Him in thanksgiving
with gladness………and sing!
(Anon)
King David liked to sing. He is referred to as the “Sweet Psalmist of Israel.” (2 Samuel 23:1). The words of his songs (Psalms) are still used every day in old and new music across the world. Everyone can sing, though not everyone can do it with the same amount of ability! My father-in-law loved to sing. He was known for breaking into song with his customers as he drove his cab around town. He was not a “good” singer by most standards. He was an “enthusiastic” singer and that was enough to build him a faithful following and made him well known in our town. Down through the years, I have been told by many that people would wait on him, rather than take a different cab, just to ride with him to sing or laugh at his uncanny ability to mix up the words -sometimes combining several songs into one! Despite messing up the words and mixing up the tunes, each ride was an adventure. Each song broke up the mundane and, I have been told, brightened many days. When he passed, many spoke to the family recalling the enjoyment and often encouragement, that came from their time with him and his joyful noise. His happy heart built many friendships. While many may not have the courage to sing in public (especially at work!), song in general, as King David points out, not only uplifts and refreshes our soul, it is pleasing to God. There is something to be said for “letting loose” of yourself and to simply sing in the moment. The best songs, regardless of style, are the ones that open your heart toward eternity and exalt God’s many attributes. Our lesson today is a small but powerful Psalm with only five verses. Let’s dive in!
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalm 100).
Who is asked to make a joyful noise? All the lands. Jew, Gentile, Free, Bond, Male, Female, near, far, known and unknown. No one is left out. The opportunity is open to everyone or using New Testament wording, whosoever will.
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. (Revelation 7: 9-10).
What are they asked to do? They are to MAKE a joyful noise. They are to SERVE with gladness. They are to COME before God’s presence. They are to KNOW He is God and that He is our Creator. They are to ENTER His gates and His courts. They are to BE THANKFUL and BLESS His name. At the risk of sounding like an English Teacher, there are a lot of action words in these few lines. Do you know HIm? Have you come to Him? Are your actions joyful? Do you serve Him with gladness? Do you assemble together with other believers in thankfulness and blessing? Take some time and evaluate these action words, in your life. As with any musical instrument- we occasionally need tuning up!
When and where do we do these things? As we write these lessons, we often refer to this as the ripple effect of scripture. It was written during the time of King David, for his people. The nation of Judah- is encouraged to do these things. But the words are still true for us today. As we self-evaluate, we adjust ourselves (hopefully daily) to do these things. In the future, we will find ourselves happy that we made the choice to accept Jesus as Savior. We will be ready to do so throughout eternity. So in summary, those who have accepted Christ, will now, and forever, express thankfulness and bless the name of the Lord.
Now let’s look at the words in our lesson:
Joyfully - with great pleasure and happiness.
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. (Psalm 5: 11-12).
Gladness - with contentment and appreciation.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35:10).
Singing - an outward expression of joy through music and words.
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (Ephesians 5: 19-20).
Thanksgiving - a public expression of gratitude, through prayer and giving.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Phillipians 4:6).
Praise- to glorify or express favorable opinion or truth.
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11).
Blessing- favor.
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 7:10).
So why would King David encourage us to do these things? He reminds us to know that our God is God, and there is none else. We know from His word that we are created by Him and in His image. God cares for and shepherds us, seeing to our every need. God knows what we need before we ask and even when we don’t ask. He has known us and planned for us from our mother’s womb.
It doesn’t always seem like it, though, does it? It is hard to imagine being known to the very intents of our hearts, but He does. Maybe the most important reason to be thankful is because God is Good. He is deserving. He extends mercy- sparing us over and over from the consequences we deserve. His truth is forever. He will not change. He does not lie. We will not all sing for or in front of others, but no one sings so badly that they can’t stand to hear themselves! Maybe a little singing now and then would do us good - especially words of praise and thankfulness to our Creator! Even if we only sing to remind ourselves! My father-in-law thought so. King David thought so. What do you think?
Thank you for studying with us! God bless!