“O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.” —Psalm 105:1-3
Psalm 105 is a rehearsal of Jehovah’s glorious deliverance of His people from their grievous oppression and bondage in Egypt. It is a picture, drawn in the history of Israel, representative of the salvation of sinners from the bondage of sin. The account of God’s great deliverance of His people is prefaced with this “call to worship” that concludes, “Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.”
The Psalmist declares near the conclusion of the psalm, “He brought forth His people with joy, and His chosen with gladness (v.43).” This introduction seeks to establish the continuation of that joy that ever belongs to the redeemed, and applies to the New Testament believer even more than to Israel, for theirs was a temporal deliverance, while ours is an eternal one. Perennial joy is the proper temper for those who have experienced God’s gracious deliverance from the bondage of sin and its awful consequences, and our “nugget” hints at the keys to it.
The first requisite is praise, and that involves constant reflection on the mercies of God. One may be inclined to ask why the constant reiteration of the same theme, for the emphasis on praise and thanksgiving is frequent in the scriptures, and so must it be on the part of those who expound them. The simple fact is that we are all too prone to let the problems of the present obscure the providence of the past and so rob us of our joy and diminish our praise. We need to remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness in all of our yesterdays and devote today to giving thanks for mercies received. It will help afford the “perfect peace” promised to the mind that is “stayed upon Jehovah.” For after all, the Lord Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” (Heb. 13:8)
Closely linked is the second exhortation, “call upon His name.” That is petition. The God Who was our Savior and sustainer yesterday is no less available today—and no less necessary to our joy and victory. James said well, “Ye have not because ye ask not [Jas. 4:2].” When our prayer life flags we are forced to become self-sufficient, and that will always be insufficient. Biblical Christianity is never a do-it-yourself endeavor.
Just the other day I heard again the words to an old country gospel song that poses a good question:
Finally, there is the need for proclamation; “Make known His deeds among the people,” and “talk ye of all His wondrous works.” Our joy in the Lord will be enhanced when we not only reflect on His goodness, but publicly declare it in this dark and needy world. The Savior said, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me…” it is His will, for His glory and our benefit, for the redeemed of the Lord to say so. The public declaration of the Lord’s faithfulness and His “wondrous works” on our behalf will reinforce our own faith, and give opportunity for those who hear us to exercise faith in His name.
Simple, but not insignificant, these are keys to joy and gladness, and interestingly, they are enjoined upon us as Christians in the New Testament, reflected in spirit, if not in precise detail, for example in the Holy Spirit’s exhortation,
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you [I Thess. 5:16-18].” It will not solve every problem, but it will make the burden lighter!
For His glory and our good,
"Pastor" Frasier
Psalm 105 is a rehearsal of Jehovah’s glorious deliverance of His people from their grievous oppression and bondage in Egypt. It is a picture, drawn in the history of Israel, representative of the salvation of sinners from the bondage of sin. The account of God’s great deliverance of His people is prefaced with this “call to worship” that concludes, “Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.”
The Psalmist declares near the conclusion of the psalm, “He brought forth His people with joy, and His chosen with gladness (v.43).” This introduction seeks to establish the continuation of that joy that ever belongs to the redeemed, and applies to the New Testament believer even more than to Israel, for theirs was a temporal deliverance, while ours is an eternal one. Perennial joy is the proper temper for those who have experienced God’s gracious deliverance from the bondage of sin and its awful consequences, and our “nugget” hints at the keys to it.
The first requisite is praise, and that involves constant reflection on the mercies of God. One may be inclined to ask why the constant reiteration of the same theme, for the emphasis on praise and thanksgiving is frequent in the scriptures, and so must it be on the part of those who expound them. The simple fact is that we are all too prone to let the problems of the present obscure the providence of the past and so rob us of our joy and diminish our praise. We need to remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness in all of our yesterdays and devote today to giving thanks for mercies received. It will help afford the “perfect peace” promised to the mind that is “stayed upon Jehovah.” For after all, the Lord Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” (Heb. 13:8)
Closely linked is the second exhortation, “call upon His name.” That is petition. The God Who was our Savior and sustainer yesterday is no less available today—and no less necessary to our joy and victory. James said well, “Ye have not because ye ask not [Jas. 4:2].” When our prayer life flags we are forced to become self-sufficient, and that will always be insufficient. Biblical Christianity is never a do-it-yourself endeavor.
Just the other day I heard again the words to an old country gospel song that poses a good question:
How long has it been, since you talked to the Lord,If your joy is flagging, check your devotional life!
And told Him your heart's hidden secrets?
How long since you prayed,
How long since you stayed,
On your knees 'til the light shone through?
How long has it been since your mind felt at ease,
How long since your heart knew no burden?
Can you call Him your friend,
How long has it been,
Since you knew that He cared for you?
Finally, there is the need for proclamation; “Make known His deeds among the people,” and “talk ye of all His wondrous works.” Our joy in the Lord will be enhanced when we not only reflect on His goodness, but publicly declare it in this dark and needy world. The Savior said, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me…” it is His will, for His glory and our benefit, for the redeemed of the Lord to say so. The public declaration of the Lord’s faithfulness and His “wondrous works” on our behalf will reinforce our own faith, and give opportunity for those who hear us to exercise faith in His name.
Simple, but not insignificant, these are keys to joy and gladness, and interestingly, they are enjoined upon us as Christians in the New Testament, reflected in spirit, if not in precise detail, for example in the Holy Spirit’s exhortation,
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you [I Thess. 5:16-18].” It will not solve every problem, but it will make the burden lighter!
For His glory and our good,
"Pastor" Frasier
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