“ I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart, I’m writing the book on your wonders. I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I’m singing your song, High God.”
Psalm 9: 1-2 The Message
The Psalmist is absolutely exuberant here in praising God. Why are these verses so full of praise?
Thankfulness is the answer. The author King David begins by bringing to mind all of the many reasons he has for being thankful to the Lord. He writes, “I am thanking you, God, from a full heart.” We get the impression that David is making a “gratitude list.” He is enumerating all of the things which God has done. As he notes, “I’m writing a book on your wonders.”
If you were to write your own “gratitude book” to God, what would you include on that list? For what wonders of God are you most thankful? Listing all of the good and wonderful things God has done for you can be a spiritually enriching and encouraging exercise. Try it! Go ahead and write down every single blessing for which you are thankful.
In the second part of the Psalm, King David seeks to praise God with more than just words. His exuberant praise finds expression in his body: He sings! He whistles! He jumps for joy! The point is that the joyfulness within David cannot be contained or expressed completely through mere words. Instead, he gets his whole body involved!
As you seek to praise God, how will you express your praise to Him? Will it be through song, through body movement, through prayer, through artistic expression, or in some other, creative manner? Perhaps the point of this verse is to remind us that there are many different and personal ways in which we can express our praise to the Lord. No way is wrong to express our praise to God, if it is done with a sincere heart.
So go on… follow King’s David’s lead: start praising God!
Prayer
Holy God,
You are worthy and deserving of our praise. Forgive me when I do not give You the credit for everything you have provided. Today, I praise you for the things that You have offered to me. I am so blessed! Thank You for all You do for me. I thank You for my family, my church, our nation, and the world. I ask you to watch over and to protect all those who want to sing and dance their praises to You. Thank You for the blessings you bestow upon me in countless ways. I pray this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Comments