David’s Song of Thanks

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
   make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
   tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
   let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and his STRENGTH;
   seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done
  his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
you his servants, the descendants of Israel,
   his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.
He is the Lord our God;
   his judgments are in all the earth.
He remembers his covenant forever,
   the promise he made, for a thousand generations…”
(1 Chronicles 16:8-15)

It seems odd to juxtapose this seemingly happy song with images of the 9/11 memorial museum at the World Trade Center Memorial in Manhattan.  Taken at face value, it would almost seem insensitive or inappropriate.   The song of David recorded in 1 Chronicles 16 was sung when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into its temporary dwelling in Jerusalem.  While joyous, it was a celebration tinged with a great deal of pain, loss, and fear and trembling.   This was the second attempt at bringing the Ark “home” to Jerusalem – the first attempt was a dramatic failure resulting in loss of life.

Not only that, but while this was a moment in David’s life where he was beginning to experience the consolidation of his kingdom, it was a rise to power that came at great personal expense.  David had suffered the loss of his closest friend Jonathan, he had been exiled and pursued as an enemy of the state by his mentor King Saul, he had to feign insanity to avoid being murdered by enemy rulers, and he had even experienced personal rejection by his own flesh and blood.   It wasn’t an easy road for David.  Yet, when confronted with all these challenges and terrors, David pressed courageously towards the Lord and trusted in God to save and protect him.

The song in 1 Chronicles 16 is simply an outward expression of a persistent response in David whenever confronted with loss, danger or fear – praise the Lord and remember all of His wonders.

When we are confronted with our darkest struggles and most painful challenges, let us respond like David with faith-filled praise in the God who has faithfully and compassionately gone before us time and again.  He will not leave us or forsake us.  He will not forget “...the promise he made, for a thousand generations…”

Father, thank you for your wondrous works in our lives.  Thank you that you are a just and compassionate God and that You alone are strong to save.  Help us to seek You and Your strength….help us to seek your presence continually.

This display at the 9/11 Memorial Museum featured some 3000 different shades of blue (all representing the lives lost on 9/11) and featured this quote by Virgil. While meant as memorial for the lives lost, the quote also reminded me that God in His word has promised never to forget or forsake His children. We will not be erased from the memory of time – He will remember us as we remember Him.