Thoughts for the Day

O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples.
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wonderful works.
Glory in his O holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually.
Remember the wonderful works he has done,
his miracles, and the judgements he has uttered.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Psalms 105 and 106 are companion psalms showing us two different pictures of the relationship between God and His people. Having read the whole of the bible aloud twice (over five or six days) one of the things that hit me really hard was the relationship of God and His people. Each time I finished the Old Testament I ended up feeling sorry for God, as His people continually broke their promises to Him! This was ridiculous - who was I to feel sorry for God? However, leaving However, as I started the New Testament I was struck by the fact that despite this, God's faithfulness to them seemed to be reinforced. Psalm 105 is a psalm that also tells us of God's faithfulness and His power, whereas Psalm 106 looks at the continual rebellion and faithlessness of His people.

The first fifteen verses of Psalm 105 are also to be seen in 1 Chronicles 16. Compare 1 Chronicles 16.8-12 with the text of Psalm 105 above. In Chronicles the text is sung as part of the celebrations when the Ark of the Covenant, which held the tablets of stone on which were written the Ten Commandments that Moses brought down the mountain to God's people, was brought to the Temple into Jerusalem. King David organised the exuberance of the ceremony, and so it is likely that he wrote this beautiful psalm of praise to the God , a God who is always faithful.

Today may we:

• Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His name.
• Make known His love to those around us.
• Sings praise to God.
• Seek the Lord with all our strength.

Lord God,
we call upon You this day
to give You thanks for all Your gifts to us.
We praise Your holy name,
and honour You for Your faithfulness
to us, Your people.
May we celebrate with joy
each morning Your existence in our life,
and may we learn to offer You our faithfulness.
Amen.