This psalm is entitled “His Steadfast Love Endures Forever”, which is pretty fitting (and obvious) because that line is in every one of the 26 verses.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever; It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (v1,4-6,16,23,26)
This psalm is powerful. The first thing I recommend you do is pause here and read the entire thing out loud (I did, and trust me it’s worth it). Then, when your heart is postured toward God and praising Him, reflect on the words for a few minutes. Maybe you even want to add a few of your own verses.
The author opens and closes with the exact same message: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Beginning and ending our prayers with thankfulness helps set the tone and posture of our hearts.
The body of the psalm reminds us of God’s mighty works and characteristics (foremost is the characteristic of steadfast/unending/eternal/abundant love). Listing God’s attributes and works is very humbling, acknowledging that He is God and we are not, again setting the tone and posture of our hearts.
How do you think our hearts would change if we started and ended every day by reading this psalm (or something like it) aloud? Praising God, and remembering His might and glory first thing when we wake up, and last thing before going to sleep, would probably make a significant change in my heart and mind – how about yours? Maybe you already do this, but I admit I don’t do it consistently.
My challenge for us today is every day for the next seven days, start and end every day with some sort of psalm of praise to God for who He is and what He has done. This could be reading an existing psalm like this one, or maybe writing one of your own that’s more personalized. Let’s see how posturing our hearts at least twice per day affects our daily lives. Once we’ve done this intentionally for seven days, it may become more natural and may even become a common ongoing practice. I’m not a betting man, but I’d be willing to wager this practice could only improve our daily outlook and walk with God.
We give thanks to You O God of heaven, for Your steadfast love endures forever. We are Your humble servants, for Your steadfast love endures forever. We honor and glorify You, for Your steadfast love endures forever. Thank you Jesus for redeeming our souls, for Your steadfast love endures forever. To You alone we lift our eyes, for Your steadfast love endures forever. Your daily provision of wisdom and strength abounds, for Your steadfast love endures forever. We love You with all our hearts, for Your steadfast love endures forever. We give thanks to You O God of heaven, for Your steadfast love endures forever. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training