How Do We Give Thanks? Giving God Recognition (Psalm 92)

Last time, we established that God is worthy of our thanks. That’s the why. Now, as we continue in Psalm 92, let’s look at the how. The simple answer is: We give God recognition.

The story of the five-year-old at the Thanksgiving table, tracing the turkey back through the checker, the grocer, the feeder, and the farmer, reminds us that while it’s easy to focus on the created, we must never leave out the Creator. He deserves our deepest gratitude, symbolized by the Maasai practice of bowing low, with their “head in the dirt.”

Psalm 92 is a Sabbath Song—a beautiful corporate expression of worship. It shows us that true worship involves an internal attitude—it flows from the heart, not just obligation. The best way to give thanks is to adopt four habits that foster this recognition:

1. Give Attention to God (Verses 1–3)

• Psalm 92:1–2: “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night…”

The phrase “show forth” means to be conspicuous, to stand out, to make something visible, and to direct attention. We must actively direct the attention of others, and ourselves, to God!

We do this conspicuously through Singing Praises (v. 1). Our music should:

• Praise the Lord Artistically: Through the quality of the tunes.
• Praise the Lord Prayerfully: Through the biblical words and correct doctrine.
• Praise the Lord Intrinsically: Through the effort and heart we put into singing.

We sing to the El Elyon—the High and Lifted Up God. If we play an instrument or sing a song, we should do so with dedication and excellence, not shabbiness. The words of our music—like the powerful hymn “Give Me Jesus”—should demonstrate a movement away from our problems and circumstances, and a reflection back to Jesus. It is this movement that makes our music resounding and fitting for the occasion.

2. Be Glad in God (Verses 4–5)

• Psalm 92:4: “For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.”
• Psalm 92:5: “O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.”

The Hebrew word śāmaḥ means to be rejoicing and glad. His work is great, and we can triumph—we can give a “ringing cry” or a shout of victory! We have won in Christ!

What is truly profound is that the very deep thoughts of God are directed toward us. He thinks about you and me! This amazing quality should fill us with such gladness that we don’t have to live in constant fear, guilt, anxiety, or sadness. We have victory in Christ (Psalm 9:2; Psalm 32:7, 11). Good, soul-stirring music can help shift our focus from “my problems” to the Lord, setting our hope in Him.

3. Let God Exalt You (Verses 10–11)

• Psalm 92:10: “But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of a unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.”

The horn is a powerful symbol of strength and power. In the Bible, the “unicorn” (which historically refers to a powerful, untameable, single-horned creature like the extinct Siberian rhinoceros) symbolizes that raw strength.

We do not have to exalt ourselves or seek revenge. We don’t have to be the ones who “right the wrongs.” Our strength and power come from the Lord (Ephesians 6:10). Let God demonstrate His strength and deliverance through your life! If we are faithful and devoted, God will reward and bless that faithfulness.

4. Grow in God (Verses 12–15)

• Psalm 92:12: “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”
• Psalm 92:13: “Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.”

To flourish means to bud or to sprout—to grow. The date palm tree (living up to 200 years and yielding sweet dates) and the mighty Cedar of Lebanon are symbols of enduring strength and usefulness.

How to be Righteous and Grow:

1. Become Righteous: This happens only by trusting in Jesus Christ for your salvation—believing in His death, burial, and resurrection. When you believe, God declares you righteous, not by your works, but by the righteousness of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).
2. Be Planted: As a Christian, be faithful to live daily with God and faithful to worship with His people (in the “courts of our God,” v. 13). This public worship is essential for our sanctification and spiritual growth.
3. Bear Fruit: Those who are planted are connected to the source of life (Jesus) and will bring forth much fruit (John 15:5). This fruit is the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22–23).

Our Response

We cannot succeed in the Christian life apart from Christ; “without me… ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Let us honor the Lord by giving Him the recognition He deserves. Let us practice giving attention to God, being glad in God, letting God exalt us, and growing in the Lord.