The Psalms of Thanksgiving are offerings of praise to God for all that God has done for the people. In Hebrew, the word translates literally to “thank offering.” They can be divided into individual or communal thanksgivings. All the psalms were intended for use in temple worship. Individual and communal thanksgiving psalms follow the same specific structure. They open with an introduction that states the intention to thank God. The psalmist names his trouble, petition to God, and how God delivered. Then, God’s deliverance is proclaimed to the earthly audience. Finally, most end with an announcement of this thanks offering.
Questions
1. The Psalms of Thanksgiving follow a set structure described above. As you read, identify these parts in the daily psalm and write a summary of each part. Use the summary to pray and give thanks to God when you are done.
2. God is the source of all that we have. Make a list of what you are grateful for and think of those things as you pray the daily psalm.
3. How can you express gratitude to those around you today? Try to use words or phrases from the psalm.
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up,
and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,
restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment;
his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
As for me, I said in my prosperity,
“I shall never be moved.”
By your favor, O Lord,
you had established me as a strong mountain;
you hid your face;
I was dismayed.
To you, O Lord, I cried,
and to the Lord I made supplication:
“What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me!
O Lord, be my helper!”
You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever