Psa 105: 1-45 “O give thanks unto the LORD”

PART I (Aim High) Psa 105:1-8
PART II (Get the big picture) Psa 105:9-15
PART III (Keep your eyes moving) Psa 105:16-22
PART IV (Always have an out) Psa 105:23-37
PART V (Make sure people see you) Psa 105:38-45

God’s people are a chosen nation or vessel (typified by the nation of Israel – Gal 6:16) and also typified by the four beasts that “went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; they turned not when they went” found in Ezekiel 1:12 and Romans 8:14) 
(Eze 1:1-28).

Eze 1:12 And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; they turned not when they went.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Please review this study of Mike’s on the four beasts that are in the middle and around the throne of God to further understand how we are by the grace and faith of God vessels of honour who are being saved in this age (Eph 2:8).

[Study on the four beasts around the throne of God]

God has separated us from the world to accomplish the greatest work of all His workmanship (Rev 18:4, Eph 2:10), as He forms the mind of Christ within us, and makes us all of one spirit and one bread (Eph 4:4, 1Co 10:17). He is taking us through this wilderness journey together and by His spirit is making it possible for us to endure unto the end (Zec 4:6, Php 4:13, Mat 24:13, Jer 32:27). We are enduring so much tribulation (Act 14:22), and so much suffering (2Ti 2:12) so that we can through those experiences be able to save the rest of the world who we will extend the same comfort toward that God is showing us today (Oba 1:21, 2Co 1:3-5, Heb 4:15, 1Jn 4:17).

God is the One who is giving us the vision through the church (Pro 29:18, Eph 3:10, Heb 10:25) to be able to keep pressing toward the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ (Php 3:14), and in this study that is entitled “O give thanks unto the Lord”, we will look at how those exceeding great and precious promises which have been granted to us can keep us spiritually safe and encouraged (2Pe 1:4) as we learn to rejoice always in the Lord and give thanks for the wonderful works that He is doing unto the children of men (Php 4:4, Psa 107:31). Those works of God are transforming us to the mind of Christ and enabling us to no longer be conformed to this world as we sojourn along together as the Israel of God who is coming out of her my people (Rom 12:2, Rev 18:4).

I’ve broken this study up into five distinct parts with subtitles which I’m hoping will serve to help us remain focused on the things that are above, where our hope resides in Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith, who is guiding and leading the body of Christ “in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Col 3:2, Col 1:27).

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Psa 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

PART I – Aim High

Psa 105:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
Psa 105:2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
Psa 105:3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
Psa 105:4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
Psa 105:5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
Psa 105:6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
Psa 105:7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
Psa 105:8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

Psa 105:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.

Thankfulness is at the forefront of our sojourn in Christ, “the sacrifice of praise to God continually, which is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name”.

Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

We have such a lofty goal today of pressing toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Php 3:13-15), being made kings and priests to his glory (Rev 1:6), and this tremendous honour to know God and Christ and to be worked with in this age (Luk 10:24) should surely fill us with “thanks unto the LORD” knowing also that we are told in a myriad of scriptures and have been witnessed to in our own lives and throughout history (Heb 11:1-40) that God is faithful and will finish what He has begun within us (Php 1:6, Heb 12:2, Joh 18:9).

I’ve entitled this section of the study “aim high”, and what I mean by that is that in order for us to endure unto the end, we need to look to the Lord who is on high and “call upon his name”.

Psa 121:1 A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
Psa 121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

When we are brought to our wits’ end, then we will call upon His name and be able to “make known his deeds among the people”. It is through the fiery trials He brings us that we learn to lean on Him and not trust our own flesh (1Ti 4:10).

Psa 107:26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
Psa 107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
Psa 107:28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
Psa 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Psa 107:30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Psa 107:31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

2Co 1:8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
2Co 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
2Co 1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

Psa 105:2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.

One way we can give thanks unto God is through singing Psalms that help bring us into remembrance “of all his wondrous works”. Music can help us structure our thoughts and elevate our praise toward God.

Psa 95:1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Psa 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psa 96:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
Psa 96:2 Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

When our hearts and minds are focused on the Lord, we are aiming high, and we will be blessed by that endeavour of praising God as we stay focused on the things that are above, thinking on things that are lovely and just and pure. We will also find ourselves not being disheartened by the world around us that is promised to become more and more evil as we near the end of this age.

Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2Ti 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Luk 21:26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

So singing to God and thinking on His word and having thankfulness in our hearts are all paramount and connected to our aiming high as we look to the Lord. God knows we need to praise Him, not because He needs our praise, but simply because that exercise of praise helps us remember and put in perspective His greatness and the exceedingly great and precious promises which we have. Music is a way to quench the fiery darts of the devil and to overcome evil with good.

Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Psa 147:1 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

It is through the means including music, art, food preparation, eating and drinking, and “whatsoever ye do” in this life in general that God is showing us that we can do all things to His glory as we keep our hearts and minds on those things which are above and acknowledge His hand doing it all, blessing us, so that we can once again, through offering the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, give thanks to His name.

1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Psa 105:3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

While we “seek the Lord”, we are told to “Glory ye in his holy name”. We are told to “let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD”, and the reason that is so is because there is a promise that there will be joy in the morning when we seek the kingdom of God first and His righteousness, when we ‘aim high’ and press toward this great prize. Knowing the righteousness of Christ and the power of the resurrection as we die daily and are raised together in heavenly places together in Christ is our joy and the reason we are promised we will “rejoice that seek the LORD” and we will drink the cup.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Mat 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

He is faithful to reward those who diligently seek him, and he will be found. What we are being shown in this section of our Psalm is that knowing God is faithful is something in which to glory, as we “glory ye in his holy name” because it is God who is giving us the power to go from “glory to glory” to be obedient, to be faithful (2Co 3:18) .

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jer 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Why do our hearts rejoice “of them who are seeking Yahweh” (Rotherham Psa 105:3 Make your boast in his holy Name, Joyful be the heart of them who are seeking Yahweh)?

1Sa 2:1 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart^H3820 rejoiceth^H5970 in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies [within as we go from glory to glory which leads to thy salvation]; because I rejoice^H8055 in thy salvation.

Pro 12:25 Heaviness in the heart^H3820 of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad^H8055.

What greater reason is there than to rejoice knowing the witness of Christ is working in our lives both to will and to do of our Fathers good pleasure!

Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Psa 105:4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
Psa 105:5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

We are gathered together for this very reason to “Seek the LORD, and his strength” and to “seek his face evermore” as we collectively “Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth” that have been working in each of our lives, and working together for the good for those who love God and have been called according to his purpose.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

When God’s judgments are in our earth it is because we have been blessed to be among those who are blessed to “remember his marvellous works that he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth”, or in other words, “to read and hear the words of this prophecy and to keep those things that are written within”.

Isa 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

“Keeping” is the ‘continuing in the truth’ part that will set us free, and so we are even admonished to “Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth” and we pray the Lord will continue to bind mercy and truth, love and faithfulness around your neck, never letting them forsake you.

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Pro 3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
Pro 3:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Pro 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Pro 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Psa 105:6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
Psa 105:7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.

He says ‘seed’ and not ‘seeds’ to remind us that many are called but few are “his chosen”, and yes, there will be one body of Christ one day. However, God is working with us in this age, “He is the LORD our God” and “his judgments are in all the earth” starting with our earth, which is just another way of saying Col 1:27.

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

We know from Col 1:24 that those judgments will require some bruising and bumps along the way, where we will learn of God’s faithfulness toward us, and to a process that He has promised none will be lost. We are also promised we will never be given more than we can bear in His service and all of these promises are given to help us continue to ‘aim high’ and keep pressing toward the mark of the prize of the high calling in Him.

Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Psa 117:2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

1Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Psa 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Joh 18:9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Psa 105:8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

This last verse of our study tonight reminds us that God does not forget and “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

“The word” and the connecting thought of “He hath remembered his covenant for ever” is “commanded to a thousand generations” to remind us that all men will be judged (10x10x10=1000) and come to know His covenant, the new covenant promise, the promise of a new fleshly heart that will be formed through judgment in our earth when we finally can hear the word of God through the gift of the holy spirit being given. It is our aim as Christ’s body to keep reminding each other of those promises which encourage us in this age and to help each other bear the burdens of this judgment process through which we are going, and in so doing we will fulfill the law of Christ, and Christ will in fact be formed in us through those shared struggles and growing pains that we are meant to go through together.

Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Jer 22:29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Next week, Lord willing, we will look at Part II of our series entitled “O give thanks unto the LORD” where we will look at the following verses to help show us how God will give us peace as we ‘get the big picture’ of His master plan for humanity that has been unfolding throughout all history.

Psa 105:9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
Psa 105:10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
Psa 105:11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:
Psa 105:12 When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.
Psa 105:13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;
Psa 105:14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
Psa 105:15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.