The Shorter Theology

A psalm of thanksgiving.  Shout joyfully to YHWH, all the land. Psalm 100:1  (Hebrew text numbering)

Thanksgiving – This is a praise song (the meaning to the Greek word psalmoi) of todah (the Hebrew word for thanksgiving).  In English translations, this introductory comment is relegated to tiny type and generally ignored, but in Hebrew it is part of the inspired text.  It can’t be ignored.

Once we see that God intended us to recognize this as a thanksgiving praise, we can understand the context of the entire song.  The word todah also describes a subcategory of the fellowship offering (see Leviticus 7:12-13 and 22:29).  It is related to songs and praises offered in worship (cf. Nehemiah 12:27).  Todah is a big-umbrella word, covering the ground from a worshipper who comes with confession, to the earth itself proclaiming the majesty of the Lord.

Now take a look at the whole Psalm.  Everyone and everything is exhorted to offer thanksgiving to God.  Why?  First, because it is the right thing to do.  It is our duty.  Second, because He made us.  We owe Him a debt of gratitude for the breath we take.  Third, He chose us.  We are His people because He elected us to be His people.  Fourth, because He provides for us out of the bounty of His earth.  Fifth, because He is good.  What goodness really is can be found in Him and in no other.  And finally, because He is merciful.  In this short theology, we see everything we need to know about God.  We are given punctuated expressions of His character and His care.  No wonder David says that we should come before Him joyfully singing His praise.

This psalm is a good antidote for the tendency to see the world from a darkened perspective.  This psalm pushes me out of myopic complaints about a lack of self-fulfillment.  It focuses my attention on the glory of living in a world under His control.  It causes me to lift up my face and see how marvelous life really is.  And most importantly, it calls me to enter into a divine symphony, to sing my part in the pantheon of praise to the Lord of creation.  It is the perfect anti-depressant.

The Bible portrays the enemy of my soul as one who roams the earth, seeking vulnerable prey.  Frankly, nothing makes me more vulnerable to the sin of self-sufficiency than the subtle shift of focus from the glory of God to the plight of Man.  Once I take my eyes off His majesty, life’s problems rush into view, clouding my perspective with ominous portent.  Thanksgiving re-orients my thinking and my behavior.

Are you thankful today that you are alive?  Are you singing God’s praises for exactly where you are on the journey?  Are you shouting joyfully for the breath you take?  Are you rejoicing that He has chosen you, regardless of the circumstances of His current assignment for you?  Are you dancing in His pastures of plenty?  Are you worshipping with gladness?  Well, are you?

Topical Index:  Thanksgiving