A Psalm of Thanksgiving. (Psalm 100)
This last in a series of eleven psalms, said to have been composed by Moses, is introduced to us as a psalm of thanksgiving. Tradition says that this particular psalm was sung in the Temple when worshipers would come before the Lord with a korban todah — a thanksgiving offering (see Leviticus 7:12). This specific offering was presented by grateful men after having survived a season of great danger, thus signifying their appreciation to the Lord for bringing them through a time of peril. Based on this tradition, another sprang up in later years which encourages the people of God to recite this psalm every day with a thankful heart.
Not a day goes by that we are not faced, in some form or fashion, with dangers and difficulty. Most of those days, we go about our business completely unaware of the threatening forces around us, some of which are very near to derailing our lives. In other words, how many times has God spared us the intense suffering that would have befallen us if the unknown tragedy had been allowed to inflict its pain upon us? Quite possibly, it is a number that would shock us. And so, because He protects us from situations and performs countless miracles of salvation on behalf of His people, many of which are unknown to us, we should continually give thanks to Him.
Jewish tradition also believes that this psalm of thanksgiving will be sung by the whole world in the Messianic Age. At that time, having come through a season of trouble never before experienced by mankind, the world will be restored to how the Almighty intended it to be. Consequently, the nations will join with Israel and sing praises unto the King of Kings and offer expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving for His salvation. Of course, we don’t have to wait until then to tell the Almighty, “Thank You.” It should be something that is continually in our hearts and consistently expressed in our words and actions. Therefore as it is written, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Messiah Yeshua for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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