Beyond Thanks: The Worship of a Grateful Heart

This Psalm is known as the Jubilate (‘O Be Joyful’), they say, “due to the first word of the Psalm.

Interestingly, the first word of the Psalm does not definitively mean joy or joyful. In fact, the first word found in the Psalm in the Hebrew is the word for a shout, at times used for a war or battle cry, a call to arms, a shout to assemble or advance.

This Tuesday we celebrate those who answered such a cry. We celebrate Veteran’s day much like we celebrate communion - in this way. For many of us, it is not a celebration for what we have done, but rather a celebration for the blessings we have because of what someone else has done. For communion, that is what Jesus did for us when God heard us cry out in our sin. He sent a King to fight for us, to redeem us back from the slavery or sin that we have been sold into. So we celebrate on such a day, not that Jesus had to die, but that we now have rescue because he was willing to give all so that we might be saved. In the same way, on Veteran’s day, we do not celebrate that those who have served had to sacrifice so much for us, but we celebrate that we now are safe and secure in freedom because they were willing to sacrifice, whether they chose to or were chosen to.

I cannot begin to imagine placing myself in the boots of those who have marched into conflict on my behalf. It is not as though I personally was on their mind when their service was asked of them and they stepped up. Each veteran went for varying reasons, some to serve, some to rescue, some to correct what was wrong, some to escape, and others simply out of not knowing what else they should do. For whatever reason they stepped up, this Tuesday is a day to commemorate and give thanks to all who did.

I have learned that each Veteran feels gratitude from different things, whether public or private, while some don’t look for or want any gratitude at all. For some, the most meaningful thing is simply having time with others who have walked in the same or similar boots. Their experiences vary. What was asked of them differs. What they are or might not be proud of having had to do while serving, often dictates how they feel appreciated or even if they want to be appreciated. On this Tuesday, how can we who have not served, show those who have, how grateful we are for their sacrifice?

This Tuesday, as you go through your day, show your gratitude to those you see who bear the hat or clothing that signals their service. Please know that there are many more around you throughout the day that keep their service quiet and to themselves. Throughout the day, pray for a veteran you know and give thanks to the Lord for Him giving you that veteran for your protection, your rescue, your defense. Romans tells us that the Lord has given us governments for our protection. That protection, secured by the service of our armed forces, are a direct blessing from the Lord. A sincere and heart felt thank you to all of you here and online who have served to provide the freedoms in the country that we have been so blessed with.

This Psalm then starts with a shout, not to the soldiers, but to the Lord who has given them. Just like the question about how to show gratitude on Veteran’s Day, how are we to show our gratitude to the Lord for all that He has done?

This Psalm presents 4 responses of gratitude to the Lord in verses 1-4. Verse 5 then stands alone as the reason for our Thanksgiving.

The Psalm is in the form of 2 Strophes, or as we are familiar with, 2 verses of the song, with the second half of verse 3 as the chorus and verse 5 as the bridge that brings us back to verse 1 and our reason to shout.

The first verse or strophe, verses 1 through the first line of verse 3, speaks of how we are to react to who God is. The second verse of the song, verse 4 speaks of how we are to come to Him.

I would like you to notice, whatever response presented is most relatable to you, how public and personal these 4 responses are. If you will, let us look at the 5 responses of gratitude to the LORD.

We Owe the LORD Our Thanksgiving (4 responses)

Shout to the LORD (v. 1)

++Serve the LORD with gladness (“great joy,” v. 2)

++Know that the LORD is God (v. 3a)

++Enter into the LORD’s presence (v. 4)

The LORD is Our Good God (chorus and bridge)

Chorus: God made us and we are His (v. 3b)

++Bridge:

++God is “good” (deserving)

++God’s lovingkindness is eternal

++God’s faithfulness is for all (trustworthiness)