Psalm 111: Gratitude as Praise

​Key Verse
1. Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
 
Meditation.  
Paul commands believers to give thanks in everything, in word and deed, in the name of Jesus (Colossians 3:17) because gratitude is essential in the ecosystem of discipleship.  Today’s psalm displays the priority of showing gratitude, “I will give thanks with my whole heart!” (v. 1) before offering practical ways to cultivate whole hearted gratitude:
 
A- Gratitude is grounded in celebrating the Lord’s work (vv. 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9). God redeemed His people through His everlasting love. God has forgiven and freed His people for personal relationship and participation in His work. 
 
B- Gratitude grows through celebrating the Lord’s character (vv. 3, 4, 7, 9). God alone is “righteous” (v. 3), “gracious and merciful” (v. 4), “all powerful” (v. 6), “faithful… just… trustworthy” (v. 7). Because of God’s character, He remembers His covenant “forever” (v. 5) and His praise “endures forever” (v. 10). God alone is “holy” and “to be feared” (v. 9), and gratitude will grow when we celebrate God’s character revealed through His work. 
 
C- Gratitude is galvanized when celebrating the Lord’s covenant faithfulness (vv. 4, 8, 9, 10). “He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever!” God’s steadfast love will not leave or forsake His people. God Himself is the fullness of our heart’s desire and His covenant faithfulness frees us to hope in Him.
 
May gazing upon God’s grace revealed through His work, His character, and His covenant faithfulness, germinate gratitude in your heart that you may grow more faithful and fruitful in living for God’s glory. 
 
Today’s Reading
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
    in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord,
    studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
    the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
    he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
    in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
    all his precepts are trustworthy;
8 they are established forever and ever,
    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people;
    he has commanded his covenant forever.
    Holy and awesome is his name!
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all those who practice it have a good understanding.
    His praise endures forever!
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the practical reasons to worship God in gratitude?
 
-Which of the three directions for developing gratitude speaks most to you? Why?
 
-Take time to grow in gratefulness by naming ten things you are thankful for. Where has God worked in and through you? What attributes of His character have you encountered? How can you thank Him for them?
 
Key Verse
1. Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.