Wednesday, November 24, 2021

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

 Originally composed for our missionary prayer letter in November 2001; recently tweaked for 2021



A Psalm of Thanksgiving

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

               His loyal love always lasts.

Unchanging in His faithfulness;

               His loyal love always lasts.

 

At all times give thanks to Him;[1]

               His loyal love always lasts.

In sleepless nights and busy days,

               His loyal love always lasts.

At mealtime and bedtime,

               His loyal love always lasts.

Weekdays and weekends,

               His loyal love always lasts.

 

For everything give thanks to Him;[2]

               His loyal love always lasts.

For of Him, to Him, through Him it is;[3]

               His loyal love always lasts.

For mosquitoes, ants, and fleas,

               His loyal love always lasts.

For pollution and traffic,

               His loyal love always lasts.

For bus-station puppies and morning glories,

               His loyal love always lasts.

For illness and uncertainty,

               His loyal love always lasts.

For roses and for thorns,

               His loyal love always lasts.

For past deliverances and present hope,

               His loyal love always lasts.

 

In word and deed give thanks to Him;[4]

               His loyal love always lasts.

Writing a novel or a grocery list,

               His loyal love always lasts.

Cooking supper or cleaning commodes,

               His loyal love always lasts.

Building a house or pulling weeds,

               His loyal love always lasts.

Designing a webpage or filing insurance,

               His loyal love always lasts.

At battle or in surgery,

               His loyal love always lasts.

In Bible study and hymn-singing,

               His loyal love always lasts.

In work and in play,

               His loyal love always lasts.

 

For all people give thanks to Him;[5]

               His loyal love always lasts.

For all His image-bearers, of Adam’s race,

               His loyal love always lasts.

For family most dear, for husband or wife,

               His loyal love always lasts.

For friends new and old,

               His loyal love always lasts.

For leaders wise and leaders foolish,

His loyal love always lasts.

For heroes and enemies,

               His loyal love always lasts.

For doctors, nurses, and lab technicians,

               His loyal love always lasts.

For pastors, elders, and deacons,

               His loyal love always lasts.

For waitresses and loving maids,

               His loyal love always lasts.

For difficult people like us ourselves,

               His loyal love always lasts.

 

In everything give thanks to Him;[6]

               His loyal love always lasts.

In sickness and in health,

               His loyal love always lasts.

In war and in peace,

               His loyal love always lasts.

In sunshine and in storms,

               His loyal love always lasts.

In riches and in poverty,

               His loyal love always lasts.

In birth and in dying,

               His loyal love always lasts.

For better or for worse,

               His loyal love always lasts.

As long as life endures,

               His loyal love always lasts.

Forever and forever,

               His loyal love always lasts.

His loyal love always lasts.

               His loyal love always lasts.


 



[1] Eph 5:20

[2] Ibid.

[3] Rom 11:36

[4] Col 3:16

[5] 1 Tim 2:1-2

[6] 1 Thess 5:18; Phil 4:6