Superlative Thanksgiving

It is good to give you thanks, O Yahweh; to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your extravagant kindness in the morning and your faithfulness by night. … For you, Yahweh, have made me happy by your work. I will sing for joy because of what you have done. Psalm 92:1–4

Two thoughts as we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday this year: 1) It’s clear in this psalm that the author pairs thanking and singing praise. Both activities are fitting responses to what God does for his people. Expressing gratitude is our participation in the joy of the Giver and is a fitting climax to the gifting process. Singing praise is a way to celebrate how well the Provider has done for us. Thanks focuses on the ‘why’ of grace; praise focuses on how well grace has been extended. 2) In the current era of obnoxious heads of state, thanking and praising the Most High, the King of kings, helps us to retain our perspective; to remember that our first and primary allegiance is to The Eternal, who faithfully fulfills his promises to his subjects and kindly adds extravagant surprises into the mix. … With this in mind, here’s this year’s Thanksgiving sonnet:

O God Most High, you reign supreme above
While petty sovereigns squabble here with claims
About their mighty powers to push and shove
Their rivals, hoping to enhance their names.
Earth’s kings preside with bluster and profane
Attempts to garner praise for fleeting fame;
But all their pomp is ultimately vain,
For you, Most High, deserve the most acclaim.
O God Most High, your name evokes our praise,
For righteousness adorns your gracious reign;
Your faithfulness flows into all our days
And kindness fills the breadth of your domain.
So as your righteous, godly saints we raise
Our thanks with joy in grateful songs of praise.