Psalm 92
The title to Psalm 92 stuck with me: “A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day.” Psalm 92 was written to be sung on the Jewish day of rest. The day that was modeled after God’s day of rest when He has completed His work in creation (Gen 2:2-3).
Do you want to be Happy in your work?
Do you long for Victory?
Take a couple of minutes to read Psalm 92, then come back and we’ll look at the connection between these things and praise.
Paise is Good
We like to give thanks when we have time for it. We like to sing songs of worship at church or if we’re having a happy day. But is thanksgiving and praise still good when we’re busy, stressed, sad?
“1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, And to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: 2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, And thy faithfulness every night, 3 Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; Upon the harp with a solemn sound.” Psalm 92:1–3
Would you agree that praising God is good? Would you agree that it’s a worthy use of time and effort? Do you ever neglect the praise of God? I have. Some days, I do. What are the days you most often forget to praise God? Are they your busiest days? Saddest days? Happiest days?
These questions aren’t meant to make anyone feel bad. The answers show us the priority this “good thing” gets in our lives.
What’s worse is that I have discovered that I most often neglect giving thanks and praise when I am the busiest for God, or on days when I have a greater opportunity to rest.
I think we miss some of the blessings of thanksgiving and praise when we limit it to just when we feel like it.
This psalmist knew it was good to give thanks and to sing praise. He knew it was good in the morning and at night. He knew that these songs of praise would be good when they were accompanied by many kinds of instruments.
Look for God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness every day.
God Gives Progress
Perspective is key here.
God gives progress. Look at how the psalmist expresses this:
"For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.” Psalm 92:4
Our gladness and sense of accomplishment aren’t tied to just what we get done, but in the fact that God is working. Our victory isn’t contingent on our individual success, but in the works of God’s hands.
Your Turn
We are focused on giving thanks this time of year. We have a couple of holidays coming up in the United States that naturally lend themselves to thinking about how God has blessed. In this time we can more easily see how God is working. So, let’s use this time to help us build a habit of praise. Here’s your challenge. Before you let yourself doom scroll Facebook or Twitter:
Open your Bible to see how God works
Read the psalms or really any passage of scripture. Keep your eyes open to how God is working. Look for His attributes, names, and gifts to mankind.
Write down some things that you are thankful for
Focus on praising God for His many gifts, His names, His attributes. Don’t miss the little things. God’s goodness surrounds us each and every day.
Listen to and Sing Songs of Praise
There are many, many songs and hymns of praise that fit with Thanksgiving and Christmas time. Choose a few of these and make them easy to access. Music is a great way to help us see God’s greatness.
