Oh give thanks unto the LORD.” Psalm 105:1 (NKJ)
Tomorrow we will celebrate Thanksgiving—again. As we prepare to join with friends and family during this time of gratitude and appreciation, my question to you is “what are you thankful for this year?” For my answer, the Holy Spirit guided me to the Psalms. The Psalms are recognized for their ability to capture the feelings and emotions of people “doing life”. With that in mind, I’d like to share three psalms, Psalms 105-107, in gratitude for Thanksgiving 2019.
The opening lines of Psalms 105-107, “Oh give thanks to the LORD,” links together this trilogy of songs which praise God for His goodness and mercy to Israel. Psalm 105 and 106, possibly originated by command of David to Asaph on the occasion when the ark of the covenant was first brought to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:12-19); Psalm 107 most likely were written during the post-Exilic period, that timeframe after the seventy-year period of Babylonian captivity. As I read these psalms today, it is evident that their strength and intensity lie in their ability to present events of the past clearly and unabridged. By communicating them to future generations, the nation of Israel would make sure that they would never forget what God had done for them and would result in unending praise to Him.
Psalm 105 remembered and praised God for His eternal faithfulness. “He remembers His covenant forever, The Word which He commanded, for a thousand generations” (Psalm 105:8). Israel’s covenant relationship with God gave them “favor” as the seed of Abraham and children of Jacob. That covenant guaranteed God would both protect and provide for His own people. It began in time past and is still promised to the nation of Israel in the 21st century. God is “not a man that He should lie…as He spoken it, He will make it good” (Num. 23:19). God’s faithfulness is extended to believers today through Jesus Christ, the Mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance (Heb. 9:15). He will do everything He promised and more (Ep. 3:20).
Psalm 106 remembered and praised God for His certain forgiveness. “We have sinned…committed iniquity…done wickedly. Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake…” (Psalm 106:6-8) Israel’s history is replete with accounts of their disobedience and turning away from Jehovah God. Sometimes it took the form of idolatry; other times it was willful wickedness and rebellion. Wherever they found themselves, the nation of Israel quickly forgot God and adopted the sinful patterns of their neighbors
(v. 13). But God always extended mercy to them. Believers today are blessed that we can ask God for forgiveness of our sins and He will faithfully and instantaneously forgive (1 John 1:9). There is no need for the blood of bulls and goals or heifers (Hebrews 9:13-14). Jesus paid it all that we might freely receive forgiveness.
Psalm 107 remembered and praised God for His great works of deliverance. “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy…and He delivered them out of their distresses. And He led them forth by the right way…” (Psalm 107:2-7). In God’s faithfulness and because of His forgiveness, He would continually show Himself strong on behalf of His people (2 Chronicles 16:9). His works of deliverance would save them from their enemies (vv. 1-3), their sinful consequences (vv. 4-22) and the other storms in their national life (vv. 23-29). And with that deliverance, came unmerited blessings—“wildernesses would be turned to pools of water and dry land into watersprings.” Today, God continues to be our strength and very present help in time of trouble (Ps. 46:1). He has delivered us, does deliver us, and we trust will still deliver us” (2 Cor. 1:10).
This Thanksgiving create your own psalm in honor of God’s love and provision. Know that He loves you with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3). Sing praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who demonstrated His love for us. Even while we were in sin, He died for us that we might have everlasting life (Rom. 5:8). Praise the Lord and give thanks!