Thanksgiving...

By anyone’s classification, Psalm 103 is a psalm of thanksgiving.

A thanksgiving psalm is written explicitly in the tone of praise, acknowledgment, and celebration. In them, confidence becomes realization, anticipation gives way to fulfillment.

Psalms of thanksgiving were probably used in public worship to praise God and to testify to his goodness.

They were testimonies to the faithfulness of God to his covenant community.

The frequency of these psalms tells us how important they were in Israel’s worship. God is glorified when his people give him public praise and thanksgiving when our laments are answered.

Psalm 103 celebrates David’s experience of the Lord. It is a soaring song of praise that begins with these beautiful words:

Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (vs. 1-5).

As you give thanks this week, forget not all his benefits.

As you give thanks this week, articulate:

- your personal prayers of gratitude to God for his material bounty,
- for the people in your life,
- for his presence in your trials,
- for his continued power in your spiritual life,
- and for the grace he has given you in Jesus.