Intro.

1.  One of the sins that infects mankind is ingratitude - Rom. 1:21; Lk. 17:15-19.

2.  1 Chrn. 13-16 - Bringing ark to Jerusalem. Great celebration of thanksgiving - 15:27-28.

3.  16:4, 7 - Chief work of these Levites was to give thanks!

4.  Psalm 96 (1 Chrn. 16:23-33) - A call to give thanks to God!

I.  GIVE THANKS IN SONG - 96:1.

  A.  Singing Is An Expression Of Thanks - Eph. 5:19-20; Col. 3:16.

    1.  v. 1 - New song: cf. 33:1-3 (Quality).

    2.  "Not necessarily a song unheard before, but one fresh from the singer's heart."

    3.  cf. Rev. 14:3 (15:3 - Victory/deliverance)

    4.  As we desire thanks from the heart, God expects our singing to be from heart!

II.  GIVE THANKS FOR GOD'S CHARACTER & BLESSINGS THROUGH OUR WORSHIP OF HIM - 96:2-9.

  A.  Thankful For The Power Of God - v. 2-5.

    1.  Salvation (v. 2) - cf. Psa. 71:15.

      a.  cf. He saved the nation of Israel (Exo. 15:1-2).

      b.  God is our means of spiritual victory - Psa. 3:8; 25:5.

      c.  Acts 4:12; Rom. 6:23 - Deserves thanks!

    2.  Glory (v. 3) (honor, splendor) - Psa. 29:2; 72:19.

      a.  He is due honor because of Who He is, what He has done & what he will do!

      b.  Jno. 5:23 - Son claims the same honor.

    3.  Marvelous works (v. 3) - Psa. 40:5; Psa. 136.

    4.  Our response to the "great" God - v. 4-5:

      a.  Praise - Adulation; commendation - Acknowledging God's demonstrations of His power in our lives - cf. Jas. 1:17.

      b.  Fear - Reverence/trust - Psa. 34:9; 40:3.

  B.  Thankful For The Dignity Of God - v. 6-8.

    1.  Honor & majesty (v. 6) - Contrast gods of men (vile, corrupt, sensual, etc.) - cf. Psa. 104:1-5; Rom. 1:23.

    2.  Strength & beauty (v. 6) - Jer. 32:17; Psa. 27:4.

    3.  Our response to God's dignity - v. 8-9:

      a.  Worship Him! - Jno. 4:23-24.

      b.  Honor (splendor) of God is observed & then expressed by the worshipper.

      c.  Our worship must be reflective of God's honor, majesty, strength & beauty.  How are we (you) doing?

III.  GIVE THANKS FOR GOD'S JUDGMENTS - 96:10-13.

  A.  God's Judgments Are Equal - v. 10-12.

    1.  v. 13 - Righteousness - cf. Rom. 2:5.

      a.  Our judgments are not always righteous/equal - Jno. 7:24; Rom. 2:1.

      b.  On whatever subject God has revealed His judgment (decision) - We are assured of its fairness, impartiality & justice (Who is saved; how we are saved; what is true worship; who may remarry; what is pure speech...)

    2.  v. 11-12 - Thankful God has revealed Himself on all things that "pertain to life & godliness" (2 Pet. 1:3).

  B.  God's Judgments Are According To Truth - v. 13; cf. Rom. 2:2.

    1.  Thankful that truth is a consistent standard.

    2.  cf. Chaos of a subjective, ever-changing standard of judgment in morality, worship, moral character.

    3.  Illus. - Exo. 25:14; Num. 4:15 - 1 Chrn. 13:7, 9-10; 15:13 - A proper order had been given - Judged by it!

    4.  Jno. 12:48 - Christ's words the proper order for us all!

Conclusion

1.  One of the important lessons from David was his thankfulness toward God.

2.  We share in far greater blessings - Our thanksgiving should abound more & more - Col. 2:7.