David and all of Israel made a procession and brought the ark of the Lord to the tent in Jerusalem as their new place of worship. They did so with sacrifices, singing, and dancing. It was also this day that David decreed that Asaph and his family from the line of Levites would give thanks to the Lord through leading worship at that tabernacle. Either David or Asaph recorded a psalm of thanksgiving that day.
This passage is a great reminder for a few things.
1 – It’s important to worship the Lord and give thanks in monumental moments in your life
2 – There are so many wonderful characteristics of the Lord you can dwell on in the Psalms, and this one in particular.
3 – David/Asaph gives you ways to respond to the Lord.
I want to do something different today. I’ve posted the passage from 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 for you to read through. I’ve given a list of the Lord’s characteristics and then a list of ways for you to respond from what is written here. I think it’s important sometimes to pause and just marvel at who the Lord is and how you can respond in worship.
“8 Give thanks to the Lord; call on his name;
proclaim his deeds among the peoples.
9 Sing to him; sing praise to him;
tell about all his wondrous works!
10 Boast in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
11 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.
12 Remember the wondrous works he has done,
his wonders, and the judgments he has pronounced,
13 you offspring of Israel his servant,
Jacob’s descendants—his chosen ones.14 He is the Lord our God;
his judgments govern the whole earth.
15 Remember his covenant forever—
the promise he ordained for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant he made with Abraham,
swore to Isaac,
17 and confirmed to Jacob as a decree,
and to Israel as a permanent covenant:
18 “I will give the land of Canaan to you
as your inherited portion.”19 When they were few in number,
very few indeed, and resident aliens in Canaan
20 wandering from nation to nation
and from one kingdom to another,
21 he allowed no one to oppress them;
he rebuked kings on their behalf:
22 “Do not touch my anointed ones
or harm my prophets.”23 Let the whole earth sing to the Lord.
Proclaim his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his wondrous works among all peoples.25 For the Lord is great and highly praised;
he is feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place.
28 Ascribe to the Lord, families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness;
30 let the whole earth tremble before him.
The world is firmly established;
it cannot be shaken.
31 Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice,
and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
32 Let the sea and all that fills it resound;
let the fields and everything in them exult.
33 Then the trees of the forest will shout for joy before the Lord,
for he is coming to judge the earth.34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his faithful love endures forever.
35 And say, “Save us, God of our salvation;
gather us and rescue us from the nations
so that we may give thanks to your holy name
and rejoice in your praise.
36 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
from everlasting to everlasting.”
The Lord’s characteristics:
- He does wonderful works
- He is holy
- He is strong
- He gives an inheritance
- He protects
- He rebukes
- He is worthy of offerings
- His is to be feared
- The Lord is King
- He is to be praised
- He is Yahweh
- He is just
- He has a family/servants
- He Lord Our God
- He anoints
- He saves
- He is glorious
- He is to be exalted
- He is good
- He is forever faithful in love
- He is the God of Israel
- He is great & highly praised
- He is our Judge
- He makes covenants
- He keeps His promises
- He’s feared by all ‘gods’
- Creator of the heavens
- He’s full of splendor, majesty, strength, and joy
- He gathers and rescues
- He is from everlasting to everlasting!
The Lord is always worthy of our praise! There is so much to medidate on in this list!
Now what should your response be?
- Give thanks to Yahweh, for His goodness and faithful love
- Proclaim His deeds and salvation
- Tell of all His wonderful works
- Honour His holy name
- Rejoice in Yahweh
- Search for the Lord and His strength
- Seek His face always
- Remember His wonderful works & His covenant forever
- Sing to the Lord, sing praises
- Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful works to people
- Ascribe to the Lord – glory and strength
- Bring an offering
- Come before Him
- Worship the Lord in the splendour of His holiness
- Tremble before Him all the earth
