DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What does verse 1-2 teach us about thankfulness?
Do you agree with the statement that God always answers the prayers of his people? Why or why not?
How is the cross the ultimate display of God’s love and faithfulness?
During the last supper, Jesus gave thanks before distributing the bread and wine. What a beautiful picture for us in that, as he was approaching the cross, Jesus’ heart was still full of thankfulness. How should this serve as an example for us?
SERMON MANUSCRIPT:
Of David.
“[1] I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
[2] I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.”
THANK GOD WITH OUR WHOLE HEARTS
Right from the start of this psalm, David publicly expresses his gratitude toward the LORD— “I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart…”
As you study the Bible, you'll notice that thankfulness is always directed vertically. Thankfulness in the Bible is always directed toward God. It’s never an abstract hypothetical idea; it’s a feeling of gratitude directly expressed to the personal God of the universe—“I give you thanks, O LORD.”
This is an essential point because, at times, I fear we talk about thankfulness in an abstract, mystical way if we're not careful. We will go around the room and name some things we’re thankful for. We will list things like our family, job, or home, saying things like, “I’m thankful for my family.”
However, if we’re not careful, we can celebrate Thanksgiving like we’re spraying febreeze. We throw our thanks into the air, and it sounds nice, but it’s not really directed to anyone. We acknowledge there are good things in our lives, but we don’t recognize these good things as good gifts from the LORD.
So, as we approach Thanksgiving, I want us to ask ourselves, “Who are we giving thanks to?” Are we giving thanks to the giver of all good gifts? Or are we giving thanks to chance and coincidence? Are we giving thanks to our hard work and determination?
If we want our thankfulness to align with that in the Bible, we must be careful to direct it to God—“I give you thanks, O LORD.” May we never forget that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change (James 1:17).” And may “whatever we do, in word or deed, be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Fatherthrough him (Col. 3:17).”
Here, we see David giving thanks to God with his whole heart. Every fiber of his being is aligned with his expression of thanks, and his lips align with his heart. His words and desires aren’t in conflict; they’re in harmony.
Sometimes, it’s easy to possess a hollow thankfulness, where we speak of thankfulness without feeling thankful. So, I ask you today, “Do you resonate with David's words here? Does your heart align with the thankfulness expressed in Psalm 138? Do your lips and heart work in harmony?”
UNASHAMED THANKFULNESS
Now, before we look at what David is thankful for, I want us to notice where David expresses his gratitude— “before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple.”
The Hebrew word for “gods” is Elohim, a common name/title given to God throughout the Old Testament. It’s a divine term highlighting God’s sovereign rule: “In the beginning, God (Elohim) created the heaven and the earth…And God (Elohim) said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” However, in this verse, we see Elohim used in a plural sense, distinct from God— “Before the gods I sing your praise.”
So, the challenge here is trying to distinguish who these gods are. Some believe this refers to the [g]ods of the neighboring nations surrounding Israel (refer to 1 Kings 18, where Elijah taunts the god Baal). Others believe this could reference the human rulers of Jerusalem (see passages like Exodus 21:6 and Exodus 22:7-8 where the leaders of Jerusalem are referred to as gods). Others believe this could reference the spiritual powers and rulers, similar to those in Ephesians 6 (see passages like Psalm 89:5-7, Isaiah 24:21, and Job 1, where heavenly beings are referred to as gods).
So, it could be that David is singing his thankful praises to the LORD in the presence of the neighboring gods, declaring the LORD as the most precious and most glorious. It could be that David is singing his thankful praises to the LORD in the presence of all human rulers, declaring the LORD as the most precious and most glorious. Or it could be that David is singing his thankful praises to the LORD in the presence of the heavenly beings, declaring the LORD most precious and glorious.
Here’s the thing. Many people smarter than me disagree over this, and there’s some wiggle room to disagree here because of the various ways this term is used elsewhere in Scripture. But, whichever lily-pad we land on, we have to agree on this: David was publicly and unashamedly singing God’s praises with a thankful heart. A thankful heart is an unashamed heart. Thankfulness and praise go hand in hand, and praise is intended to be public. So, those whose hearts are filled with thankfulness are willing to sing God’s praises in front of others.
May we be a people who boldly testify to God’s greatness in the presence of others.
THANKFUL FOR THE CROSS
But why? Why is David publicly expressing his thankful heart?
David expresses his thankfulness because God’s love is steadfast, and his faithfulness is continual. Steadfast love is the Hebrew word “hesed,” which means loyal love. This is an all-in type of love.
Friends, there is no greater display of God’s love than the cross. When we hear the words, steadfast love, the cross should immediately come to mind.
As the cross approached, Jesus said to his disciples, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends (J. 15:13).” The apostle Paul adds further color to Jesus’ words by saying, “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person— though perhaps for a good person, one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:7-8).”
The cross is the ultimate display of God’s love. And I would submit that it’s also the ultimate display of God’s faithfulness, as well, because the cross has always been God’s predetermined plan of redemption.
The Hebrew word for “faithfulness” is “emet,” which means truth and dependability. It denotes constancy, reliability, and stability—to be dependable and immovable. We can trust that God will always do what he says he will do because he did what he said he would do on the cross.
The cross is the ultimate display of God’s love and faithfulness. Because of this, I would submit that our hearts should be filled with thankfulness whenever we fix our eyes on the cross. Our hearts should be full of gratitude when we think about God’s love for us displayed on the cross. The most glorious God is a loving God. The most glorious God is a faithful God. The most glorious God has shown his love and faithfulness to us on the cross.
THANKFUL FOR ANSWERED PRAYER
In verse 3, David gives a tangible example of God’s love and faithfulness: “On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.” Here, David celebrates God’s willingness to answer prayers by remembering the times God responded to his prayers.
Do you know that God is not distant but close? Do you know that he is in the business of answering prayers? In commenting on this verse, Charles Spurgeon says, “It is the distinguishing mark of the true and living God that he hears the pleadings of his people and answers them.”
There’s a temptation sometimes to forget this, but we can be thankful that God always answers the prayers of his people. Sometimes, he says yes; sometimes, he says no; and sometimes, he says wait. But he always answers the prayers of his people. Elijah was an ordinary guy like us who prayed fervently that it wouldn’t rain, and for three and a half years, it didn’t rain on Earth. Then he prayed again, and “heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit (Js 5:17-18). The great apostle Paul, however, had a “thorn in his flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass him, to keep me from becoming conceited.” He pleaded with the Lord three times about this, saying it should leave him. But God said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, Paul said, “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor. 12:7-10).”
I think Paul’s encounter in 2 Corinthians 12 perfectly summarizes David’s words in Psalm 138. Paul called out to the LORD, and the LORD answered. And although Paul wasn’t met with physical healing, he was met with spiritual strength. The strength of his soul increased while his body dwindled.
This is one of the profound beauties of the Christian faith. Unfortunately, death is inevitable. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can limp to the finish line of our lives filled with his strength. Though we are weak, we can remain strong. Our power may be limited, but God’s power is infinite, and his power can be made perfect in our weakness. So, for the sake of Christ, we can hobble through weaknesses reliant upon the strength of God within us.
There will undoubtedly be times when we cry out to the LORD for physical needs, and God meets our spiritual needs instead. Sometimes, we cry out for physical strength and will be met with spiritual strength.
Oh, friends, may our hearts be filled with thankfulness that God is still in the business of answering prayers. May our hearts be filled with thankfulness that God gives us what we need, not what we want— “On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.”
THANKFUL FOR GOOD NEWS
David then says,
“[4] All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD,
for they have heard the words of your mouth,
[5] and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,
for great is the glory of the LORD.”
Here, we find David’s desire to let the good news of the LORD reach far beyond the kingdom of Israel, which reminds us that the Christian faith was never intended to be exclusive; it was meant to be inclusive—“All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD.”
God chose Israel to be his royal priesthood and holy nation so that they could ultimately be a blessing to the world. Jesus came to save the world. God is creating a diverse yet united people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.
But I want us to notice why the kings give thanks to the LORD. What is the cause of their Thanksgiving? They will thank the LORD when they “hear the words” from the mouth of the LORD.
I want to camp out here for a moment and highlight two things:
First, I want us to take note of the fact that God has a message to speak. God is not silent. He has a good message for the kings that should lead them to thank him.
Church, God has come with a good message of hope. We call this message the gospel. Gospel means good news.
We see this message clearly described in Romans 10:9, “…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame... Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
We can be thankful that God has brought us good news. Thanksgiving is the fruit of the gospel embrace. Those who have heard God’s message have been given the opportunity to be saved, and those who have heard God’s message have been presented with the opportunity to be justified before God. And those who have been saved and justified through faith in Christ will be filled with thankful hearts.
Now, as beautiful as God’s message is, it is humbling to hear. God’s message is humbling. It’s a message that cripples even the greatest kings. The message of the LORD reveals to the king that his glory pales in comparison to the LORD’s glory. God is the [K]ing of kings; the one every king must bow down before. Pride and salvation mix like oil and water. The message of the cross strips the king down to nothing and exposes his need for a Savior. But, the king who has been stripped to nothing will be brought to something!
Verse 6 says, “For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.” God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble—the God who sits on high regards the lowly. Those who first tremble in fear will soon sing with joy. So, we can be thankful that God always gives grace to the humble. If you want to know the LORD, humble yourself before the LORD. If you want to be close to the LORD, bow in humility before the LORD. Humble yourself before him, and he will give you grace today. Confess your sins, and he will be faithful and just to forgive you. Find refuge in Jesus, and you will be safe forever.
THANKFUL GOD IS WITH US
Look at what David says in verse 7,
“[7] Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.”
The flow of these verses is simple. Humble yourself before the LORD, and he will be with you. Even in the storms, God will be with us.
Notice the language of these verses. God will not always lead us away from the storm, but he will never abandon us while we’re in it. We will certainly walk through trouble in this life. But, though we walk through trouble, God “preserves our life. He stretches out his hand against the wrath of our enemies. His right hand delivers us.” The language here can be strange, but these verses teach us that no trial can destroy us. What the enemy means for evil, God means for good. What the enemy intends for destruction, God intends for construction. Although the winds may blow and the rain may fall, the grass of our hearts will be greener because of it. The God who is with us in the storms of life uses those storms for life. When trouble comes, God is with us, and his right hand will deliver us.
THANKFUL GOD’S PLAN PREVAILS
David then says,
“[8] The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.”
Verse 8 speaks of confident finality. God’s purpose will remain. God will fulfill his purpose for me.
Friends, do you know that God has a purpose for your life today? It may not always feel that way. But it's a truth that will always ring true.
What is that purpose? In Ephesians 1:3-14, we see that it was God’s will for him to “adopt us as sons through Jesus Christ” to the “praise of his glorious grace...” It was God’s will to “unite us to Himself in Christ…” and it was God’s will to “extend to us an inheritance to the praise of his glorious grace.” In 1 Thessalonians 4:3, we see that it was God’s will for us to abstain from fornication. So, simply put, God’s will for your life is for you to glorify him by intimately and personally knowing him as your Father, and it’s his will for our life today to make us more like Jesus so that we can make much of Jesus. The chief goal of your life is to glorify God by walking in obedience to him.
And here’s the beautiful, unfortunate reality of that truth. Sometimes, God’s purpose for our lives is to glorify him in the sunshine, and sometimes, his purpose for our lives is to glorify him in the storms. But, the same God who willed the cross for our salvation wills trials for our sanctification. So, no matter which season we find ourselves in, God is still worthy of praise because his steadfast love endures forever. Therefore, we can give thanks in all seasons. We can be thankful that God’s plan always wins.
No one demonstrated this better than Jesus. On the night he was betrayed, Jesus said to his disciples, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on, I will not drink of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took the break, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
I’ve often overlooked those two words, “given thanks.” But they’re worth recognizing. As the cross was breathing down Jesus’ neck, his heart was full of thanks. He didn’t shake his fist at the Father with a bitter heart. No. He humbly accepted the Father’s will with a thankful heart. Is this true of us today? Is our thanks rooted in prosperity? Or is it found in all seasons?