Thanksgiving: Who, How, Where, When

In addition to providing many worthy reasons for praising God, Psalms 145-150 also provide other insights regarding praise. These psalms also give instruction about who should praise God, and how, where, and when one should do it. I realize that the key word in these psalms is praise, which is not exactly the same as thanksgiving; the two concepts, however, are very closely linked. The application of giving praise and giving thanks are essentially the same. When someone thanks God publicly, he is praising Him. Both terms are used in these psalms, and they go hand-in-hand very nicely.

Who should praise/thank God?

Some of the answer to who is actually what? The sun, moon, and all the stars (148:3) are to praise God. God is to be praised by the highest heavens and by the waters above the heaven (148:4). Fire, hail, snow, clouds, and stormy winds are to praise Him (148:8). God is to receive praise from the mountains, hills, fruit trees, and cedars (148:9). The sea monsters, beasts, cattle, creeping things, and winged fowl are to join in praise (148:7,10). In short, all of God's works (145:10) are to bring Him praise.

If the creation can so powerfully bring praise to God, man certainly ought to do his part as well. These psalms request praise from men in general (145:6) and from all flesh (145:21). This call to praise extends to the heavens, including all of God's angels and all of His hosts (148:2). Praise is specifically elicited from Jerusalem, Israel, and the sons of Zion for the works God has done especially on their behalf (147:12; 149:2). Praise should come from both great and small: kings, princes, judges, and all people (148:11). It should come from all age groups and genders: young men, virgins, old men, and children (148:12). One generation is to share God's praise with the next generation (145:4). Most appropriately, all of His godly ones are to lift God up in praise (145:10). Indeed, everything that has breath is to praise the Lord (150:6).

How should the godly ones praise their God?

Praise is often expressed by speaking with the mouth (145:6), but it ultimately comes from the soul (146:1). Another very common way to praise God is by singing to Him and of Him (146:2). Praise can also be shared through instrumental music; these psalms mention the lyre, timbrel, trumpet, harp, stringed instruments, pipe, and cymbals (150:3-5). Although this clearly means something different than our modern, sensual definition, dancing is also mentioned as a way of praising God (149:3). The way a man lives also plays a part; God is praised when man rightly executes justice (149:6-9). In these psalms and throughout Scripture, speaking of God's works and singing (or music) are the chief methods of praise.

Where should the godly ones praise God?

These psalms instruct to praise God both in the heights and from the earth (148:1,7). Men are to praise Him in the mighty expanse of creation (150:1). Praise can be private, done on one's bed (149:5). Praise is never complete, however, if it is not also done in God's sanctuary (150:1) and in the congregation of the godly ones (149:1). Part of the purpose of praise is to lift God up in the eyes of others.

When should the godly ones praise God?

While the fourth Thursday of November is definitely an appropriate time to praise God, the reality is that believers should praise God every day (145:2). There is no end to praising God, and Christians should be careful to pass that praise from one generation to another while they still have the opportunity (145:4). Believers should continue to praise God as long as they live and as long as they have their being (146:2). In fact, after death a believer's praise does not cease, as praise belongs to God forever and ever (145:1). Never will man be able to completely exhaust all the reasons for praising God nor praise Him adequately for all that He is and has done. May Thanksgiving Day be  a focused day of expressing the thanks and praise that resides constantly in the heart of God's children.

"I will praise the LORD while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being." Psalm 146:2 (NASB)