1 Chronicles 16:8-36--David's Song of Thanks

1 Chronicles 16:8-36
English Standard Version

David's Song of Thanks
8 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
    make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
    tell of all his wondrous works!
10 Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
11 Seek the LORD and his strength;
    seek his presence continually!
12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
    his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
13 O offspring of Israel his servant,
    children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

14 He is the LORD our God;
    his judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember his covenant forever,
    the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant that he made with Abraham,
    his sworn promise to Isaac,
17 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
    to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
18 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan,
    as your portion for an inheritance.”

19 When you were few in number,
    of little account, and sojourners in it,
20 wandering from nation to nation,
    from one kingdom to another people,
21 he allowed no one to oppress them;
    he rebuked kings on their account,
22 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones,
    do my prophets no harm!”

23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth!
    Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
    and he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the LORD made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and joy are in his place.

28 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
    bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;
30     tremble before him, all the earth;
    yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
    and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”
32 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    let the field exult, and everything in it!
33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
    before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!

35 Say also:

“Save us, O God of our salvation,
    and gather and deliver us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
    and glory in your praise.
36 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting!”

Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD.

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The words of this prayer of thanksgiving are recorded for us in several different Psalms of David.  The first is Psalm 105, specifically verses 1-15, which match 1 Chronicles 16:8-22.  Verses 23 through 34 closely match Psalm 96 and verses 35 and 36 are from Psalm 106:47-48.  So close are the words that I think it is clear that David is leading the congregation in these hymns and giving them to the appointed worship leaders to lead the people in this kind of praise and worship.

"Give thanks to the LORD for He is good.  His steadfast love endures forever" is a refrain we will see in many of the Psalms and one of the main reasons that David gives to praise the LORD.  No matter what happens, the covenant love of the LORD is never broken.  God's love for his people is tied to his unconditional covenant that He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  There is an even better unconditional covenant made with us through Christ that we too can give thanks to the LORD for as we sing these words.