감사

Gratitude. Natural expression of thanks in response to blessings, protection, or love. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, gratitude is not a tool used to manipulate the will of God. It is never coerced or fabricated in one’s mind; rather, gratitude is a joyful commitment of one’s personality to God.

In the OT , gratitude to God was the only condition in which life could be enjoyed. For Jews, every aspect of creation provided evidence of God’s lordship over all life. The Hebrew people thanked him for the magnificence of the universe

Psalm 19:1–4 NKRV

하늘이 하나님의 영광을 선포하고 궁창이 그의 손으로 하신 일을 나타내는도다 날은 날에게 말하고 밤은 밤에게 지식을 전하니 언어도 없고 말씀도 없으며 들리는 소리도 없으나 그의 소리가 온 땅에 통하고 그의 말씀이 세상 끝까지 이르도다 하나님이 해를 위하여 하늘에 장막을 베푸셨도다

Psalm 33:6–9 NKRV

여호와의 말씀으로 하늘이 지음이 되었으며 그 만상을 그의 입 기운으로 이루었도다 그가 바닷물을 모아 무더기 같이 쌓으시며 깊은 물을 곳간에 두시도다 온 땅은 여호와를 두려워하며 세상의 모든 거민들은 그를 경외할지어다 그가 말씀하시매 이루어졌으며 명령하시매 견고히 섰도다

When they received good news they thanked God for his goodness and great deeds

When they received bad news, they also gave thanks, trusting that he was a just God

Job 1:21 NKRV

이르되 내가 모태에서 알몸으로 나왔사온즉 또한 알몸이 그리로 돌아가올지라 주신 이도 여호와시요 거두신 이도 여호와시오니 여호와의 이름이 찬송을 받으실지니이다 하고

These same sentiments are found in later Jewish writings such as the Talmud (6 Ber, 35a, 54a). The people of Israel thanked God for his faithfulness to covenant promises: (1) for deliverance from enemies (Pss 18:17; 30:1; 44:1–8) and from death (Ps 30:8–12; Is 38:18–20; (2) for forgiveness of sin (Pss 32:5; 99:8; 103:3; Is 12:1); (3) for answers to prayer (Pss 28:6; 66:19); (4) for compassion toward the afflicted and oppressed (34:2; 72:12); (5) for executing justice (Dt 32:4; Ps 99:4); (6) and for continuing guidance (Ps 32:8; Is 30:20, 21).

Gratitude was such a vital part of Israel’s religion that it pervaded most ceremonies and customs. Thank offerings acknowledged blessings from God (Lv 7:12, 13; 22:29; Ps 50:14). Shouts of joy (Ps 42:4), songs of praise (145:7; 149:1), and music and dance (150:3–5) all added to the spirit of thanksgiving in worship. Feasts and festivals were celebrated in remembrance of God’s steadfast love throughout their history (Dt 16:9–15; 2 Chr 30:21, 22). King David appointed levitical priests to offer God thanks (1 Chr 16:4). This custom was carried on by the kings Solomon (2 Chr 5:12, 13) and Hezekiah (31:2), and by those who returned from the exile (Neh 11:17; 12:24, 27).

In the NT , the object of thanksgiving is the love of God expressed in the redemptive-work of Christ. The apostle Paul thanked God for that gift of grace (1 Cor 1:4; 2 Cor 9:15) and the ability to preach the gospel (2 Cor 2:14; 1 Tm 1:12). Paul thankfully participated in the spiritual gifts (1 Cor 14:18). Gratitude for love and faith among believers pervades his letters (Rom 6:17; Eph 1:15, 16; Phil 1:3–5; Col 1:3, 4; 1 Thes 1:2, 3).

Because the expression of gratitude is tied so closely to the response of faith, Paul encouraged believers to give thanks in all things (Rom 14:6; 1 Thes 5:18). He commanded Christians to pray with thanksgiving (Phil 4:6; Col 4:2) in the name of Christ, who has made all thanksgiving possible (Eph 5:20). In his teaching on how to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, Paul specified that Christians should give thanks, just as the Lord “had given thanks” (1 Cor 11:24).1

OT OT Old Testament

NT NT New Testament

1 Elwell, Walter A. & Barry J. Beitzel. 1988. Gratitude. Baker encyclopedia of the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.