A Praise of Thankfulness

 Temple Baptist Church - 7-16-2023

Psalm 65

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Psalm 65 is another of the Davidic Psalms.  It is a Praise of Thankfulness Psalm.  David is not in trouble, his heart is not disquieted, he is not asking for anything, he is just thankful to God for His continued, manifold work and blessings.

 

B.  David wrote the Psalm to the chief Musician of the Tabernacle.  A Psalm to be set to music much like the songs of praise that we sing found in our hymnal.  “Praise Him, praise Him, Jesus our wonderful redeemer.”  A song to be sung by worshippers who came to the Tabernacle to worship God.

 

Psalms 100:1-5  A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  (2)  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  (3)  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  (4)  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  (5)  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

 

C.  We normally praise and thank God for the blessings that He has bestowed upon us, but this Psalm a preemptive one as it is one of praise and thankfulness before God’s blessing arrive.  “Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion!”

 

1.  Verse 2.  Thanking God for hearing the prayers not yet prayed.  On Sunday morning before Sunday School, we take prayer requests but then I always try to remember to thank God for both this prayer and the ones that will be prayed in the men and ladies prayer rooms as well as the prayers to be made in the evening service.

 

1 John 5:14-15  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  (15)  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

 

2.  Verse 3.  Thanking God for purging our sins not yet sinned.  Recognition that, as sinners, we will continue to fail God in the manner of sinfulness until we get home and a new body.  Just knowing that God will be there to hear our confession and to forgive and restore us again and again.

 

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

3.  Verse 4.  Thanking God for every church service that we will attend in the future along with the blessings found in them.  What a future privilege and blessing they hold.

 

Psalms 122:1  A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

 

4.  Verse 5.  Thanking God for the confidence that God will always answer us in righteousness no matter where we are or what we ask.  His answers will always be right ones. 

 

Jeremiah 33:1  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying,

 

5.  Verses 6-8.  Thanking God that will continue to control His creation.  I do not worry about Global Warming, Climate Change, rising oceans, deteriorating Ozone Layers, fossil fuels, or CORONA Viruses.  God controls His nature, and it will stand fast and last!  The sun comes up and the sun goes down, the world goes round and round!

 

Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  (7)  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

6.  Verses 9-10.  Thanking God for His future provision of the necessities of life.  Do not worry about tomorrow as it will take care of itself.

 

Matthew 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.

 

Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

7.  Verses 11-13.  Thanking God for last year but also thanking God for the year yet to come.  We may not know what the future holds but do know the One who holds the future and holds our hand!  His power, His providence, and His sovereignty.

 

Habakkuk 3:17-19  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  (18)  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  (19)  The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.