Psalm 96:2-3, “Sing to the LORD; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.”
I remember growing up, we had an annual Thanksgiving get-together on my mother’s side at my aunt and uncle’s house, Alice and Pete. After the noon meal, each child was required to state what they were thankful for during the past year. So, my brother and I, while riding in the car to this family event, would always nervously ask each other what we would say that we were thankful for. I needed not to say the same thing that my brother, Jim, was grateful for and vice versa. Reading the Psalms helps us verbalize what we are thankful for and gives us words of comfort. Psalm 96 is one of the psalms that brings us into the presence of God in weathering the storms of life. This psalm resembles David’s song of praise found in 1 Chronicles 16:21-27. Praise to God lifts us above our troubles and focuses on the power and majesty of our great God’s power, mercy, and love that we are thankful for.
In Psalm 96, the author talks about how we can praise God. We can do so by singing about God and telling others about His goodness and faithfulness. Then living out integrity by putting Christ-like character and reliability in our testimony before others. It requires living a holy life with humility. I like how the author of Psalm 71:15 states, “I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words.” “Not skilled with words” is how I often feel in my inadequacies in what I should say in opening up conversations about the Lord’s saving power, yet when I have had any answer to a prayer on my heart, that is what I need to share with others. That takes away the pressure of finding the right words.
Praising God should be done around the Thanksgiving holiday, but also daily in our gratitude and a continual and daily appreciation for God’s presence and power. Psalm 42:5 is a good reminder of our great hope, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him for the help of his presence.”
The more difficult the problems we experience and see in our world, the more we, as believers, are thankful in looking forward to Christ’s return. So, you feel you are not skilled with words? Same with me, but we can verbally praise the LORD for the blessings He has given us, unexpected provisions, and the good news of the gospel available to all who believe, confess their sins, and call upon His name to save them. Pray Psalm 40:5 when you feel you are not skilled in words in your prayer to the LORD: “O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans are too numerous to list. You have no equal.” Remember His glorious deeds enthusiastically and be ready for His soon return, which will take place when we least expect it (Luke 12:40).
Listen to Shore Lane – I Wait and I’ll Wait (Psalm 13) (Official Lyric Video).