Thanks And Praise.

THANKS AND PRAISE.

Psalm 92:1-6.

The designation “for the sabbath day” is both unique, and interesting. The sabbath was instituted in the first instance as a commemoration of Creation (cf. Exodus 20:11), but also in celebration of Redemption (cf. Deuteronomy 5:15). “O LORD, how great are thy works” (PSALM 92:5a) could refer to either, or both.

We open with the declaration, “It is good to give thanks to the LORD” (PSALM 92:1a). Perhaps our prayers are too often loaded down with petitions: but we should be thanking God for past benefits, even as we make our requests known to Him. Furthermore, if we are asking Him in faith believing, we can thank Him in anticipation of a favourable answer in accordance with His will.

“And to sing praises to thy name, O most high” (PSALM 92:1b). This is vocal, not silent. We can be vocal in the privacy of our own rooms, or as we go about manual labour. It is good, too, to be vocal with others (when we have opportunity).

Thus do we “show forth thy lovingkindness” EVERY morning, and “thy faithfulness” EVERY night (PSALM 92:2). Worship is not just for the sabbath day, after all. We may not have the benefit of the full Temple band (PSALM 92:3), but the sweetest praise of all comes from the contemplative heart of the believer, wherever and whenever we may lift up our voice in praise to the LORD.

“For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work” (PSALM 92:4a). As the popular chorus suggests, ‘He has made me glad! He has made me glad! I will rejoice for He has made me glad.’

It is a singular work of God in the believer that makes them appreciate the multifarious “works” of Creation, Providence, and Redemption. This is what it is to “triumph in the works of thy hands” (PSALM 92:4b).

As well as marvelling at the greatness of the LORD’s works, the Psalmist admires the depth and profundity of the LORD’s thoughts (PSALM 92:5). ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts,’ declared the LORD (cf. Isaiah 55:8-9). The exclamation of Paul is ‘O the depth! How unsearchable!’ (cf. Romans 11:33).

The failure of the unbelieving mind to grasp the things of God is highlighted here (PSALM 92:6). Even as God sees the downfall of His enemies, so we see the downfall of ours (cf. Psalm 92:11), because His enemies and ours are one and the same (cf. John 15:20a).