Giving Thanks to God

Psalms 96

Intro.

1.  One of the sins that infects mankind is ingratitude - Rom. 1:21; Lk. 17:15-19.

2.  1 Chrn. 13-16 - Bringing ark to Jerusalem. Great celebration of thanksgiving - 15:27-28.

3.  16:4, 7 - Chief work of these Levites was to give thanks!

4.  Psalm 96 (1 Chrn. 16:23-33) - A call to give thanks to God!

I.  GIVE THANKS IN SONG - 96:1.

  A.  Singing Is An Expression Of Thanks - Eph. 5:19-20; Col. 3:16.

    1.  v. 1 - New song: cf. 33:1-3 (Quality).

    2.  "Not necessarily a song unheard before, but one fresh from the singer's heart."

    3.  cf. Rev. 14:3 (15:3 - Victory/deliverance)

    4.  As we desire thanks from the heart, God expects our singing to be from heart!

II.  GIVE THANKS FOR GOD'S CHARACTER AND BLESSINGS THROUGH OUR WORSHIP OF HIM - 96:2-9.

  A.  Thankful For The Power Of God - v. 2-5.

    1.  Salvation (v. 2) - cf. Psa. 71:15.

      a.  cf. He saved the nation of Israel (Exo. 15:1-2).

      b.  God is our means of spiritual victory - Psa. 3:8; 25:5.

      c.  Acts 4:12; Rom. 6:23 - Deserves thanks!

    2.  Glory (v. 3) (honor, splendor) - Psa. 29:2; 72:19.

      a.  He is due honor because of Who He is, what He has done and what he will do!

      b.  Jno. 5:23 - Son claims the same honor.

    3.  Marvelous works (v. 3) - Psa. 40:5; Psa. 136.

    4.  Our response to the "great" God - v. 4-5:

      a.  Praise - Adulation; commendation - Acknowledging God's demonstrations of His power in our lives - cf. Jas. 1:17.

      b.  Fear - Reverence/trust - Psa. 34:9; 40:3.

  B.  Thankful For The Dignity Of God - v. 6-8.

    1.  Honor & majesty (v. 6) - Contrast gods of men (vile, corrupt, sensual, etc.) - cf. Psa. 104:1-5; Rom. 1:23.

    2.  Strength & beauty (v. 6) - Jer. 32:17; Psa. 27:4.

    3.  Our response to God's dignity - v. 8-9:

      a.  Worship Him! - Jno. 4:23-24.

      b.  Honor (splendor) of God is observed and then expressed by the worshipper.

      c.  Our worship must be reflective of God's honor, majesty, strength and beauty.  How are we (you) doing?

III.  GIVE THANKS FOR GOD'S JUDGMENTS - 96:10-13.

  A.  God's Judgments Are Equal - v. 10-12.

    1.  v. 13 - Righteousness - cf. Rom. 2:5.

      a.  Our judgments are not always righteous/equal - Jno. 7:24; Rom. 2:1.

      b.  On whatever subject God has revealed His judgment (decision) - We are assured of its fairness, impartiality and justice (Who is saved; how we are saved; what is true worship; who may remarry; what is pure speech...)

    2.  v. 11-12 - Thankful God has revealed Himself on all things that "pertain to life & godliness" (2 Pet. 1:3).

  B.  God's Judgments Are According To Truth - v. 13; cf. Rom. 2:2.

    1.  Thankful that truth is a consistent standard.

    2.  cf. Chaos of a subjective, ever-changing standard of judgment in morality, worship, moral character.

    3.  Illus. - Exo. 25:14; Num. 4:15 - 1 Chrn. 13:7, 9-10; 15:13 - A proper order had been given - Judged by it!

    4.  Jno. 12:48 - Christ's words the proper order for us all!

Conclusion

1.  One of the important lessons from David was his thankfulness toward God.

2.  We share in far greater blessings - Our thanksgiving should abound more and more - Col. 2:7.