7 Psalms to Reaffirm the Power of a Grateful Heart
Share
As we celebrate Thanksgiving this month, I invite us to intentionally give thanks to God for the abundant blessings in our lives. Despite what season you are in, there is always something to praise God for. Showing gratitude is a powerful act of worship to God, and it also reaffirms to us God’s sovereignty. Giving thanks redirects our attention to God, and away from our circumstances. The book of Psalms is a declaration of praise and thanksgiving to God from David. Here are seven Psalms that remind us the power of having a grateful heart.
1. “I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever” (Psalm 86:12).
When we give thanks to God, we should not hold back, but praise God with all our heart and being. God’s name is glorified every time we give thanks. We are letting others know that He is the source of who we are, and all that we have. There is power and strength that comes from giving thanks with our whole hearts. We are making an active decision to fully surrender all over to God.
2. “’Praise the Lord!’ Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for his steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 106:7).
Having a grateful heart is powerful because it reaffirms God’s goodness and love toward us. God’s love never wavers, and we should continually give praise and thanks for it. Our gratitude to God should be driven by love: God’s love for us, and our love toward God. Showing gratitude to Him should not be a bargaining tool to get what we want, but our personal love letter to Christ.
3. “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30).
There is power in singing songs of praise to God. You don’t have to be a trained professional singer, but just have a genuine, heartfelt desire to worship God. While it is awesome to give thanks and praise to God on Sunday mornings, our thanksgiving should extend beyond the church walls. Giving thanks to God should be incorporated in every aspect of our lives. Having a song of praise on our hearts doesn’t always have to involve singing, but it is focusing on what we are grateful for.
4. “In God, we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever.” (Psalm 44:8).
Giving thanks is not a one-time event, but a continual act of worship. Our circumstances should not dictate our praise, but our obedience and love for God should motivate our thanksgiving. Giving thanks to God continuously is powerful because it reignites our full dependence on God. During seasons of joy and grief, we should continue to give thanks to Him. We should have a continuous praise on our lips. If you are struggling on what to give thanks for, I invite you to start by saying, “Thank you Lord for waking me up this morning.” As we continuously praise God, our relationship strengthens, and God listens to us with gladness.
5. “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good” (Psalm 136:1).
Having a grateful heart is powerful because it allows us to magnify God’s goodness. When we sin, fail, or make mistakes, God’s goodness remains. That is great news! God’s goodness does not waver or dry up based on our circumstances, attitude, or tendency to go astray. As we continue to give God thanks, let us focus on God’s goodness and steadfast love for us. Many times, when we are good or kind to someone, it is conditional. God’s goodness to us is unconditional and we should give thanks!
6. “Enter into His gates with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:4).
When we give thanks and praise to God, we should come to Him with hopeful expectation. Our focus should be to move forward in faith praising God for who He is. As we enter into God’s presence, it should be a time where we expect to be filled with God’s love and renewed with the Holy Spirit. When we may not know what to say, our praise and Thanksgiving can lead us.
7. “I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame” (Psalm 138:2).
Giving thanks to God keeps us humble and reminds us that we are not in control. While God has blessed us abundantly in many areas, we are not self-made. We need to continually bow down in God’s presence. We should give praise and thanks for God’s love and faithfulness continually in our lives. When God answers our prayers, we give thanks. It is easy to start to take God’s presence and provision in our lives for granted. We do not want to become complacent with our praise, but pray to God for a fresh and renewed spirit of thanksgiving.
There is redemptive power in having a grateful heart. Giving thanks and praise to God continuously reaffirms who God is to us, magnifies His goodness, fills us up when we are weak, and keeps us humble. May this Thanksgiving season be one where you become renewed and excited about giving thanks to God. Despite what season you may be facing, may these Psalms strengthen and encourage you that you are not alone. God is faithful and is true to His word.
If you are struggling to find something to be grateful for, I invite you to thank God for being alive. God has a purpose and plan for your life. Be encouraged and let your personal testimony of praise and thanksgiving carry you through seasons of triumph and tribulation. Giving thanks will not only encourage you, but will inspire and uplift someone else.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/MKucova
