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From David," wrote Jeremy Taylor, the seventeenth-century English clergyman, "learn to give thanks for everything. Every furrow in the book of Psalms is sown with the seeds of thanksgiving." This has a general ring of truth. But it's a good exercise to track David's heart, overflowing with appreciation of God's bounteous goodness, through the songs he composed. Let's note the specific elements in two of them.

Psalms 65: 3—13 ; 138:1—3

1. In Psalm 65, David cites the starting point for gratitude to God (vv. 3-4). What benefits are derived from it?
2. What "awesome" answers to prayer (v. 5) have you experienced?
3. What has triggered a focus on God's creative power and control (vv. 6-8) for you?
4. The harvest character of vv. 9-13 meshes with our Thanksgiving holiday. List some non-agricultural forms of God's provision and sustenance.
5. What aspects of God's character does David single out in Psalm 138 (v. 2)?
6. What resource can we thank God for (v. 3) that equips us to face aspects of life we don't appreciate?

Enumerate God's gifts—both tangible and intangible—for which you are thankful. Ask for alertness to recognize His favors and the discipline to cultivate a spirit of grateful contentment.

Psalms 65: 3—13 ; 138:1—3

Psalm 65
3Though our hearts are filled with sins, you forgive them all. 4What joy for those you choose to bring near, those who live in your holy courts 5You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. 6You formed the mountains by your power and armed yourself with mighty strength.

7You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves and silenced the shouting of the nations. 8Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy. 9You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile. The rivers of God will not run dry; they provide a bountiful harvest of grain, for you have ordered it so.

10You drench the plowed ground with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges. You soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops. 11You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. 12The wilderness becomes a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. 13The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. They all shout and sing for joy!

Psalm 138
1I give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. 2I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I will give thanks to your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness, because your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. 3When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, incline my heart to gratefulness on down days as well as up days.

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