Psalm Devotional
Thanksgiving, Boldness in God's Great Promise
Psalms 138–145 are the final section of psalms particularly connected to David, which together make up more than half of the book. These include the familiar themes of God’s great promises, His great faithfulness, and His great deliverances.
As is often in the Bible, the beginning and the end focus on the middle. Here, David’s thanksgiving (vv. 1–3) and confident petition (vv. 7–8) both flow from the vision of the Lord’s glory fully manifested in the salvation of His people (vv. 4–7), which was promised to David by means of a descendant who would sit on an eternal and universal throne (see 2 Sam. 7; Luke 1:32f; Eph. 1:18–23).
Thanksgiving is the theme (vv. 1–2; see 4), which involves confessing the good that the Lord has done for David (see Heb. 13:15, NASB margin). This good is His faithfulness to His covenant promises by which He made His name great in performing His word (v. 2, lovingkindness and truth). This is not mere lip service but involves the whole person (v. 1, all my heart) in singing, which, rightly done, requires the full participation of mind, heart, body, and strength (v. 1; see Mark 12:30). Thanksgiving is also substantial and includes a thank offering (see Jer. 33:11). This completes the meaningful pair of words of thanks completed with works of thanks. Though an individual thanksgiving, this is done in public both in connection with corporate worship (v. 2, temple) and witnessed by all the powers and authorities in heaven and on earth (v. 1, gods; see Job 1:6; 1 Cor. 8:5; Col. 1:16). God’s faithfulness to David is timely and empowering, giving David courage to act and pray (v. 3, bold, strength; see 1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 7:27–29).
