The tiny army of Israel was preceded by the unmistakable sound of worshippers singing David’s Holy Ghost–anointed lyrics of thanksgiving. In the 20th chapter of that same book, the Israelites were called to go to battle to face an overwhelmingly superior enemy. So intense was His presence, so thick was the cloud, that those present could not remain upright upon their feet. In 2 Chronicles chapter 5 these awe-inspiring lines rise in effervescence from the combined harmonic voices of thousands singing aloud in resounding gratitude, resulting in the very glory of the living God of heaven and earth filling the room. (See 1 Chronicles 16, particularly verse 34.) The incomparable warrior-poet placed them as the crescendo of a lengthy, exuberant hymn of praise. We see the first recorded appearance of these Holy Ghost–inspired words in a song penned by King David to celebrate the return of the ark of the covenant (and therefore the holy presence of God) to the epicenter of the Israelites’ life. Again and again, we discover some variation of the ancient hymn of thanksgiving: “O, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever.”
The final half of that stirring lyric contains words that are repeated many times throughout Scripture. For the Lord is good His mercy endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations, (Ps. “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Oh, that we might-with happy heads, hearts, and hands uplifted-join with the psalmist in the 100th division and: The Psalms repeatedly suggest both our deep need for and the benefits of our coming to God with our hearts abounding generously with thanksgiving. Being mindful of and focused upon how good and gracious, how merciful and faithful our great God has been to you resets your posture, raises your expectancy and opens your heart to approach God’s holy presence and receive His abundant blessings-spirit, soul and body-and all that pertains to life and godliness. Our Bibles overflow with exhortations and promises concerning a grateful heart and positive attitude.
None of this is surprising to the faithful student of Scripture. Study after study reveals that thankful people-individuals who focus on the many blessings they have been afforded rather than what they don’t currently possess-are healthier, happier and more successful. There is a large and growing mountain of secular research revealing the power of gratitude in the human soul.
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