Giving Thanks to God - Nov. 23rd, 2025

Psalm 116:12 KJV

12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

Introduction

As we approach the Thanksgiving season, we are reminded of the many blessings God has bestowed upon us. It is natural to say "thank you" in our prayers and songs. But genuine biblical gratitude calls for action; as “actions speak louder than words.” The psalmist, in a moment when his heart overflowed with praise for God’s gracious gifts, asked himself, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12 KJV)[1]. In other words, he wondered, "What can I give back to the Lord for all the good He has done for me?" We know we can never repay God for His goodness or earn His blessings. So, the appropriate question rather becomes, “What’s the most meaningful way we can show our thankfulness to God?”

Psalm 116 is a song of thanksgiving from one whose prayer for help was answered[2]. Having experienced God’s deliverance from near death, the Psalmist’s heart overflowed with gratitude and he yearned for the best way to express it tangibly. He answers his own question in verse 12 by offering three responses of thanksgiving in action[3]. This morning, as we reflect on God’s countless benefits toward us, let us consider these three responses and how we too can give thanks to God—not just with our lips, but with our lives.

I. I Will Take the Cup of Salvation (Psalm 116:13)

The first answer the psalmist gives to his own question is found in verse 13:

Psalm 116:13 KJV

13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

Interestingly, to “render” something to God, the psalmist first receives something from God, the cup of His salvation. The greatest gift God has given to humanity is the gift of His Son to save us. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23 KJV). God offers us salvation freely by His grace. Our thankful response must begin by gladly accepting that gift. We cannot truly say, "God, we thank You for sending Your Son to die for our sins," and yet refuse to embrace Jesus as our own Savior[4]. If we were to reject God’s Son and His claims on our life, it would be as if we were saying to God, "So far as I am concerned, Christ might as well have not come at all"[4]. Surely, we do not want to respond to God’s love with such ingratitude.

Thus, the first act of thanksgiving we can render to the Lord is to receive His salvation and call upon Him in faith. Have you personally taken hold of the cup of salvation God offers? The psalmist says “I will take” it. The implication being: a deliberate personal choice to accept God’s saving grace. This is echoed in the New Testament: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13 KJV). No one can do this for us; we must each call upon the Lord for salvation. To "take the cup of salvation" is to lift up the cup God hands us, the cup of deliverance, and drink it with gratitude and joy. It means to appropriate Christ’s sacrifice for ourselves, trusting in His shed blood for our forgiveness and new life. Even in the New Testament, Jesus used a cup to symbolize the salvation accomplished by His blood: “This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:20 KJV). Indeed, every time we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are essentially taking the cup of salvation in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice for us[5].

If you have never received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, there is no better way to thank God than to do so now. To truly give thanks for God’s greatest benefit, the sacrifice of His Son, we must humbly accept that salvation into our own hearts. John 3:16 reminds us that “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Thanks be to God for this "unspeakable gift" (2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV)! For those of us who have already “taken the cup of salvation,” let us never lose the wonder of what God has done for us. Let us daily thank Him for saving our souls. Every prayer of thanks, every song of praise, should flow from hearts that remember we were lost and now are found. The cup of salvation is full and free, take it, and keep calling on the Lord with gratitude.

II. I Will Pay My Vows (Psalm 116:14)

The second response of the psalmist is in verse 14:

Psalm 116:14 KJV

14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.

In ancient Israel, a person who had cried out to God in trouble often made vows to God—promises of service or offerings they would give if God delivered them[6]. Once delivered, it was time to make good on those promises, publicly thanking God.

[Illustration: Fulfilled Vows and the Cup of Thanksgiving]

In the ancient Near East, people regularly made vows to their gods in times of personal or national distress. If the deity granted deliverance, whether healing, military victory, or safe travel, the person would publicly fulfill their vow with a thanksgiving offering. Archaeologists have uncovered inscriptions and offerings like carved images, locks of hair, or symbolic objects left at temples as tangible thank-yous. As our passage here in Psalm 116:14 demonstrates, Israel’s worship, while distinct in its monotheism, shared this cultural rhythm. What set Israel apart though was not the practice of making vows, but the One to whom they vowed—and the moral seriousness with which they were expected to fulfill it. Scripture teaches that when we experience God’s faithfulness, our response should not be a token gesture, but a sincere offering of our lives in worship. To “take the cup of salvation” and then fulfill our vows is to say, “God heard me in my distress—and now, in the presence of His people, I won’t forget what He’s done.” (AI generated; sources: Dennis Cole’s New American Commentary on Numbers, John Walton in ZIBBC, Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics on Vows, Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, and R. K. Harrison’s Exegetical Commentary on Numbers (Baker))

The psalmist is eager to go to the house of the Lord and fulfill whatever he has vowed, as an act of worship before all God’s people. He says, “I will pay my vows” without delay. The emphasis on doing it “in the presence of all His people” shows these are public commitments. They begin with a public profession of faith, declaring our allegiance to Christ and His church[7]. Just as a marriage ceremony includes public vows made by two people in love, so our public vows to God put us on record and under holy obligation to remain faithful to Him[7]. When we were saved, in essence we pledged ourselves to Christ as Lord. Many of us also stood before a congregation when we were baptized and confessed Jesus publicly. Those were sacred vows. Do we remain true to them?

Think back on all the vows and promises you have made to God since you first trusted Christ[8]. Remember that moment of joyful devotion when your child was born and you prayed, "Lord, this little one is a gift from You, I will raise this child to know You." Recall that revival meeting or church camp where, in a moment of spiritual renewal, you said, "Lord, I surrender anew to Your will." Perhaps in a time of great sorrow or great joy, God’s presence was so real that you vowed, "God, I will serve You more devotedly"[9]. Such promises are not to be forgotten. God has not forgotten them. He delivered you; He blessed you; now He asks you to keep your word. Scripture says, “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High” (Psalm 50:14 KJV). It is an indication of a truly thankful spirit when we follow through on the commitments we have made to God[10]. As one commentator notes, promises made to the Lord in times of trouble should be kept when deliverance comes[10]. To dedicate ourselves afresh to His service and be true to our word is a fitting way to express gratitude.

This Thanksgiving, let us resolve to “pay our vows” to the Lord. Perhaps you have unfulfilled commitments to God, now is the time to fulfill them. If you pledged to spend more time in prayer or Scripture, or to get involved in a ministry, or to reconcile with someone, do it as an offering of thanks to God. If you have made a faith-promise or financial commitment to the Lord’s work, fulfill it joyfully, in gratitude for how He has provided for you. Do it “in the presence of all His people”, that is, let your obedience be public, serving as a testimony that God is worthy of your devotion. Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful time to renew and fulfill our vows to the Lord before the congregation[11]. When we keep our promises to God, we honor Him. We demonstrate that we have not forgotten His blessings. To be clear, we are NOT trying to earn God’s favor, His grace and salvation are a gift that cannot be earned, they are gift given out His unfailing love towards us, in that “while we were sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.” No, keeping our promises comes from a thankful heart that values God’s faithfulness, and so, we want to be faithful in return. So let us consider today: what have I vowed to the Lord? Have I followed through? In grateful worship, let us do what we have promised.

III. I Will Assume the Role of the Servant (Psalm 116:16)

Finally, in verse 16 the psalmist declares,

Psalm 116:16 KJV

16 O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.

Having been set free from peril (“loosed my bonds”), the Psalmist now willingly pledges himself to God's service. When we “assume the role of the servant,” we are actually becoming most like our Lord Jesus[12]. Jesus Himself said, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 KJV). Our Savior modeled true servanthood, He came not to be served, but to serve, ultimately laying down His life for us. If the Lord of all was willing to wash His disciples’ feet and take on the form of a servant (John 13:14-15; Philippians 2:7), how can we not do the same? The word “minister” literally means “servant,” and “deacon” means “servant”[12]. In fact, the New Testament declares that all Christians are called to minister to others in this sense; we are a community of servants. The psalmist even emphasizes that he is “the son of Thine handmaid”, meaning a servant born in the Master’s household[13]. In the ancient world, a servant born in the house was a permanent member of the household and enjoyed the master’s protection[13].

[Illustration: The Born-Servant in the House]

In ancient households, a servant who was born into the family—what Scripture calls the “son of thine handmaid” (Psalm 116:16)—was more than a laborer. He belonged to the household. He lived under his master’s roof, shared in the family’s provisions, and, unlike a hired servant who could leave at will, this kind of servant was permanently bound to the family’s name and protection. He owed his life and identity to that household. When the psalmist says, “Truly I am thy servant… and the son of thine handmaid,” he’s not just saying he works for God—he’s saying, “Lord, I was born into Your mercy, and I will never leave Your house. I owe everything to You.” For us, this means thanksgiving isn’t just about what we say—it’s about who we are. If we’ve been born again by God’s grace, we belong to Him like the servant born in the house. And like that servant, we gladly serve—not out of obligation, but out of loyalty and love. To say, “I am Thy servant” is to declare, “My freedom is found in Your house forever.” (AI generated; sources: Philip Eveson’s Welwyn Commentary on the Psalms, John Goldingay on Job, and Abraham Kuyper’s Pro Rege)

So it is with us: having been born again into God’s family, we gladly serve Him, knowing we belong to Him forever and that He cares for His own.

True gratitude to God expresses itself in willing service. One preacher coined the phrase, “turn your Thanksgiving into thanks-living.”[14] In other words, let your life be lived as an extended "Thank You" to God. How do we do this? By serving others in His name, by using our time, talents, and treasure for God's glory and others’ good. Instead of seeking to be served, we seek to serve. We put hands and feet to our thankfulness. We look around our church and community for needs we can meet: perhaps by visiting the sick and shut-ins, feeding the hungry, encouraging the discouraged, teaching a class, volunteering in a ministry, or simply lending a helping hand. Such acts of service, done out of love for the Lord, are spiritual sacrifices of thanksgiving. The Bible says, “By love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13 KJV) and “To do good and to communicate (share) forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16 KJV). Under the new covenant, we no longer offer animal sacrifices to show thanks; instead, we offer ourselves. Romans 12:1 urges us, “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” When we serve God by serving others, we are translating our thanksgiving into action. We show that we truly value God’s “benefits toward us” by paying it forward in humble service. As Jesus taught, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me” (Matthew 25:40 KJV). A life of loving service is a life of gratitude. Let us, like the psalmist, say to the Lord, “Truly I am Thy servant.” And let our deeds prove those words true.

Conclusion

When the risen Jesus asked the apostle Peter, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?” and Peter affirmed his love, Jesus did not merely say, “That’s good.” He commanded Peter, “Feed My sheep.” (John 21:17 KJV). In other words, “If you love Me, then take action, care for My people.” Love and gratitude to the Lord are proven true by what we do, not just what we say. By contrast, Jesus told of a Pharisee who stood in the temple and began his prayer with, “God, I thank Thee,” (Luke 18:11 KJV), but then he boasted pridefully of his own righteousness. His words of thanks were empty; his heart was full of self, not gratitude. We do not want to emulate that Pharisee. We want our thanksgiving to be real in God’s eyes. How will God know that we are truly grateful and that we truly love Him? By our doing something about it[15].

Today we have considered three biblical ways to “render thanks” to God for all His benefits. First, have you taken the cup of salvation? If not, that is where true thanksgiving begins, by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior[15]. Second, are there vows you need to pay? What commitments do you need to renew or fulfill in response to God’s kindness in your life? Third, are you humbly serving the Lord and others as a grateful servant of God? Thanksgiving must not be mere words, it should transform how we live. Let us translate our thanksgiving into thanks-living. If we truly love God and thank Him for all He has done, let’s show it: by calling on Him for salvation, by keeping our promises to Him, and by serving Him with gladness. Then our lives will continually “give thanks unto the Lord.” Amen.

HYPERLINK "file://file_000000003cf0720cb3cda0e5cd5e7c64" \l ":~:text=The%20psalmist%2C%20in%20a%20time,He%20answered%20with%20three%20responses" \h[1] [3] [4] [7] [8] [9] [11] [12] [14] [15] Crabtree, T. T._The Zondervan 2025 Pastor’s Annual- An Idea and Resource Book.docx

file://file_000000003cf0720cb3cda0e5cd5e7c64

[2] What is the sacrifice of thanksgiving in Psalm 116:17? - Got Questions

https://www.gotquestions.org/sacrifice-of-thanksgiving.html

[5] 25 The Table of Joyful Celebration [Psa. 116.12-14, 17-19].docx

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tlKaWCE65JLwI0UWnjVkMtGeAkE4X_78

[6] Futato, Mark D. and George M. Schwab_Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 7- The Book of Psalms, The Book of Proverbs.docx

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Iunr_wINGvpq6aM2CFtGbfULxn1GJfQ3

[10] [13] Eveson, Philip_The Book of Psalms- From Suffering to Glory, vol. 1 & 2, Welwyn Commentary Series.docx

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aET3dIydHsnTVU8eo5jdBnyHBWs4sdRg