The Gladness of Man in the Glory of God
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2
by Jared Tharp
When God works in our life, He does so to make us happy in Him. When God moves, and initiates, and brings things to pass in our life, He does so for our gladness in His glory, our joy in His excellency. We can see how David sings of this joyful truth in the opening verses of Psalm 9.
David’s words here sum up the entire essence of what Christian worship is! Gladness and exultation. Delighting and praising. Charles Spurgeon once said, “He whose name is Love is best pleased with the holy mirth [cheerfulness], and sanctified gladness of His people. Daily rejoicing is an ornament to the Christian character, and a suitable robe for God’s choristers to wear.” Is this the song you’re singing in your season of life right now?
Have things been difficult? Stressful? Has there been pain, or loss, or tragedy? Or maybe, it’s been a time of thrills, accomplishments, and success! Either way, are you able to look back over how God has been faithful to you and be so overwhelmed with thankfulness that you cannot say anything else but, “Thank you God! Thank you! Your promises are life, in you I have no want! You are the beginning and the end of my joy; you are the sum and the substance of my gladness! I will only sing and praise about how great Your works are and how happy I am that You are my God!”
My prayer is that Psalm 9:1-2 would be your song, not just in this current season of life, but in every season of life! A few months ago, I was praying through Psalm 9 early in the morning, and after reading the first two verses I was moved to write a poem, which I have included below. Writing has always been the best way for me to express how I feel. I hope it brings you some encouragement. If nothing else, I hope it reminds you of not just the duty we have to delight in God (Philippians 4:4), but the privilege we have that we get to!
When God works in our life, He does so to make us happy in Him. When God moves, and initiates, and brings things to pass in our life, He does so for our gladness in His glory, our joy in His excellency. We can see how David sings of this joyful truth in the opening verses of Psalm 9.
David’s words here sum up the entire essence of what Christian worship is! Gladness and exultation. Delighting and praising. Charles Spurgeon once said, “He whose name is Love is best pleased with the holy mirth [cheerfulness], and sanctified gladness of His people. Daily rejoicing is an ornament to the Christian character, and a suitable robe for God’s choristers to wear.” Is this the song you’re singing in your season of life right now?
Have things been difficult? Stressful? Has there been pain, or loss, or tragedy? Or maybe, it’s been a time of thrills, accomplishments, and success! Either way, are you able to look back over how God has been faithful to you and be so overwhelmed with thankfulness that you cannot say anything else but, “Thank you God! Thank you! Your promises are life, in you I have no want! You are the beginning and the end of my joy; you are the sum and the substance of my gladness! I will only sing and praise about how great Your works are and how happy I am that You are my God!”
My prayer is that Psalm 9:1-2 would be your song, not just in this current season of life, but in every season of life! A few months ago, I was praying through Psalm 9 early in the morning, and after reading the first two verses I was moved to write a poem, which I have included below. Writing has always been the best way for me to express how I feel. I hope it brings you some encouragement. If nothing else, I hope it reminds you of not just the duty we have to delight in God (Philippians 4:4), but the privilege we have that we get to!
My rest is found in the Holy God above,
whose word is my delight and duty.
He wins my heart with grace and love,
and captures me in His beauty.
My soul’s inflamed and burning bright,
it longs for joy and pleasure.
The souls search for happiness is a fight,
To find Christ as its treasure.
The Lord of love and grace unmeasured,
the Author of my story,
has broken in upon my pleasure,
and fixed it on His glory.
I shall recount Your wondrous works,
and remember all Your glorious deeds.
I shall praise and sing a thankful verse,
of my gladness found in Thee.
whose word is my delight and duty.
He wins my heart with grace and love,
and captures me in His beauty.
My soul’s inflamed and burning bright,
it longs for joy and pleasure.
The souls search for happiness is a fight,
To find Christ as its treasure.
The Lord of love and grace unmeasured,
the Author of my story,
has broken in upon my pleasure,
and fixed it on His glory.
I shall recount Your wondrous works,
and remember all Your glorious deeds.
I shall praise and sing a thankful verse,
of my gladness found in Thee.
