Song of Thanksgiving

THE REQUEST FOR THANKSGIVING

Psalm 103:1 KJV 1900

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless his holy name.

David seeks to stir up his inner man to praise the Lord. Perhaps he is in a spiritual slump. Perhaps his praise isn’t as vocal or as frequent as it should be. So, he challenges his “soul” [mind and heart] to “bless the Lord”.

The word “bless” means “to kneel before another in praise and adoration.” It is a call for the soul to give adoration, praise and worship to a worthy God.

We are living in a day when there truly is a drought of praise among the people of God.

We would do well to stir up our own souls to praise the Lord!

THE REQUIREMENT OF THANKSGIVING

Psalm 103:2 KJV 1900

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:

David warns his soul of the dangers of “forgetting” the “benefits” of the Lord in his life.

The word “benefits” has the idea of “dealings” or “accomplishments”.

The word “forget” refers to “a lapse of memory that can cause one to wander”. When we forget what we have in Jesus and who we are in Jesus, there is the danger that might wander away from Him. Praise keeps us tender, clean and close!

Thankfulness is not an option, it is a command—1 Thes. 5:18; Eph. 5:20; Heb. 13:5.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV 1900

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Ephesians 5:20 KJV 1900

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Hebrews 13:5 KJV 1900

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

(Ill. Are you keeping the commandment?)

Praise is beneficial!

Brings peace of heart, Phil. 4:6–7

Philippians 4:6–7 KJV 1900

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Brings peace of mind, Phil. 4:8

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:9 KJV 1900

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Brings contentment, Phil. 4:10–13

Philippians 4:10–13 KJV 1900

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Can you remember how God has dealt with your soul?

THE REASONS FOR THANKSGIVING

David identifies eight spiritual reasons that should stimulate our hearts to offer God thanksgiving and praise, not just in November, but on every day of the year.

Ps 103 3

God’s Forgiveness—

In Him, all sin is gone!

Psalm 103:3 KJV 1900

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;

(1 John 1:7; Col. 2:13–14; Eph. 1:7)

1 John 1:7 KJV 1900

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Colossians 2:13–14 KJV 1900

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Ephesians 1:7 KJV 1900

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

God’s Healing—

Psalm 103:3 KJV 1900

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;

In Him, the soul is made whole! (Psa. 107:1–22)

God’s Redemption—

Psalm 103:4 KJV 1900

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

In Him, we stand redeemed! (Rev. 5:9; Gal. 4:5; 1 Pet. 1:18–19)

Revelation 5:9 KJV 1900

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Galatians 4:5 KJV 1900

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

1 Peter 1:18–19 KJV 1900

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

God’s Grace —

Psalm 103:4 KJV 1900

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

—In Him, we have received, grace, mercy, compassion, salvation and eternal blessings,

Ill. v. 8–18!

Psalm 103:8–18 KJV 1900

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: Neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, So great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, So the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; And the place thereof shall know it no more. 17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children’s children; 18 To such as keep his covenant, And to those that remember his commandments to do them.

How these verses reveal the great truths of God’s sovereign grace and salvation in our lives!

God’s Peace—

Psalm 103:5 KJV 1900

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

In Him, we have been given spiritual satisfaction, and sufficient strength for the journey. (2 Cor. 12:9; Isa. 41:10; Phil. 4:13; Col. 1:11)

God’s Intercession—

Psalm 103:6 KJV 1900

6 The Lord executeth righteousness And judgment for all that are oppressed.

In Him, we have One Who pleads our case! (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:2)

God’s Revelation—

Psalm 103:7 KJV 1900

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel.

In Him, we can know Him, fellowship with Him and follow Him! (Ill. He has revealed Himself in His Word—Heb. 1:1–2; Gen. 1:1; and in His Son—John 1:1, 14, 18; 14:6, 9)

Hebrews 1:1–2 KJV 1900

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Genesis 1:1 KJV 1900

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

John 1:1 KJV 1900

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 KJV 1900

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:18 KJV 1900

18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 14:6 KJV 1900

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:9 KJV 1900

9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

God’s Sovereignty—

Psalm 103:19 KJV 1900

19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; And his kingdom ruleth over all.

In Him, we can rest in His control of all things! (Rom. 8:28; Psa. 37:23; Job 23:10)

Romans 8:28 KJV 1900

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Psalm 37:23 KJV 1900

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: And he delighteth in his way.

Conc:

Psalm 103:20–22 KJV 1900

20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, That excel in strength, that do his commandments, Hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; Ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 22 Bless the Lord, all his works In all places of his dominion: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

As David closes this Psalm, he calls on all of creation to join him in his praise of the Lord. Angels, saints, servants and sinners, along with all of creation, are called upon to offer God the praise, glory and adoration He deserves.

Tonight, We have only scratched the surface of His blessings!

Think of your family, your church, your Bible, your material blessings, your health, you food, your air, your home, your water, your clothing, your friends, etc. your blessings are enormous!

Our thanksgiving and our praise ought to be in direct proportion to our blessings. Are they?

This would be a great time for God’s people to stir up the inner man and call on our soul to “bless the Lord”. It would be a great time to take a spiritual inventory and thank Him for everything He has done for us in Jesus!