Salt & Light: Thankful
By Brent Davis, Campus Ministry Coordinator
7On that day David gave to Asaph and his fellow Levites this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:
8Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
9Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
10Exult in his holy name;
rejoice, you who worship the LORD.
11Search for the LORD and for his strength;
continually seek him.
12Remember the wonders he has performed,
his miracles, and the rulings he has given,
13you children of his servant Israel,
you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14He is the LORD our God.
His justice is seen throughout the land.
15Remember his covenant forever—
the commitment he made to a thousand generations.
16This is the covenant he made with Abraham
and the oath he swore to Isaac.
17He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
and to the people of Israel as a never-ending covenant:
18“I will give you the land of Canaan
as your special possession.”
19He said this when you were few in number,
a tiny group of strangers in Canaan.
20They wandered from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another.
21Yet he did not let anyone oppress them.
He warned kings on their behalf:
22“Do not touch my chosen people,
and do not hurt my prophets.”
23Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
24Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
25Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!
He is to be feared above all gods.
26The gods of other nations are mere idols,
but the LORD made the heavens!
27Honor and majesty surround him;
strength and joy fill his dwelling.
28O nations of the world, recognize the LORD,
recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong.
29Give to the LORD the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his presence.
Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor.
30Let all the earth tremble before him.
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
31Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Tell all the nations, “The LORD reigns!”
32Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
33Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD,
for he is coming to judge the earth.
34Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
35Cry out, “Save us, O God of our salvation!
Gather and rescue us from among the nations,
so we can thank your holy name
and rejoice and praise you.”
36Praise the LORD, the God of Israel,
who lives from everlasting to everlasting!
And all the people shouted “Amen!” and praised the LORD. (1 Chronicles 16: 7-36)
You, too, can sing your thanks to God. According to UCLA Health (2023), appreciation reduces depression, lessens anxiety, and relieves stress. And as for singing? Research at Oxford shows that singing in a choir is also good for your health (Launay & Pearce, 2015). David and Asaph knew what they were singing about!
Happy Thanksgiving!
References
Launay, J., & Pearce, E. (2015, October 28). Choir singing improves health, happiness – and is the perfect icebreaker. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/choir-singing-improves-health-happiness-and-is-the-perfect-icebreaker-47619
UCLA Health. (2023, March 22). Health benefits of gratitude. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/health-benefits-gratitude
