“Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.” (1 Chronicles 16:23)

David had become king over Israel. He had defeated the Philistines. He had brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, placed it in a tent prepared for it and presenting sacrifices and offering to God. He then offered a Psalm of thanksgiving to God. The Psalm called the people to give thanks and to express their gratitude with songs.

Their gratitude would begin with all of God’s actions on behalf of His people. “Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” (1 Chronicles 16:9) It was to come from all their memories and history of God redeeming His people. “Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Israel, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.” (1 Chronicles 16:12-13) God’s actions came because He remembered His promises to their ancestors. “He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: ‘To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.’” (1 Chronicles 16:15-18) 

Gratitude was also to be expressed because of God’s salvation, which had been given to Israel and now would be proclaimed to all the earth. “Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place. Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.” (1 Chronicles 16:23-28)

From the people of Israel and David the king, God would bring to all people the hope of the world. Therefore, all of us need to be filled with gratitude, because God has acted and brought us salvation through the son of Abraham, Israel, David and the Son of God, Jesus Christ. This is the promise announced to Mary, His Mother by Gabriel, God’s messenger. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:23-33) His Kingdom will not only be for Jacob’s descendance but for those from everywhere. Paul would say, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.” (Romans 15:7-9) From a snapshot of the Kingdom of God in eternity, John would write, “Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.” Revelation 14:6)

In David’s gratitude, he would see the wonder of God’s actions of the past and the hope of eternity. “Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place. Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.” (2 Chronicles 16:27-28)

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block