Whether times are stressed or the best, thanking the Lord is always a good place to go with our hearts and words. Please give this song a sing-along listen and come back — maybe with a warm cup of tea — and we’ll soak in some “thank you Lord” verses from the Bible together.

Psalm 47

Our song, “Thank You Lord”, became all the more powerful for me in light of life-shaking events occurring during this past week leading up to publishing this post. Some of the shaking was personal. Much of the shaking was felt around the world. In light of the shaking, someone encouraged me — and I’m passing the encouragement along to you — to spend the next few days soaking in Psalm 47. This psalm ministers to all, at any time, whether shaken to weep or to rejoice.

1 Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
2 For the Lord Most High is awesome;
He is a great King over all the earth.
3 He will subdue the peoples under us,
And the nations under our feet.
4 He will choose our inheritance for us,
The excellence of Jacob whom He loves.
Selah
5 God has gone up with a shout,
The Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with understanding.
8 God reigns over the nations;
God sits on His holy throne.
9 The princes of the people have gathered together,
The people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
He is greatly exalted.
[Psalm 47 NKJV]

However we read the times, we can know God’s got this! Rejoice! So thankful for all the Psalms — and isn’t 47 a great one for our times?

Thankful

Thankfulness comes up in the Bible a lot. Treat yourself to a few minutes of calm, meditative reading, and let these verses refresh you:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
[1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV]

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
[Colossians 2:6-7 NKJV]

And on that day you will say, “Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted.” Praise the LORD in song, for He has done glorious things; let this be known throughout the earth.
[Isaiah 12:4-5 NASB]

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!
[1 Chronicles 16:34 ESV]

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth’ the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land.
[Psalm 95:1-5 NKJV]

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
[Philippians 4:4-7 NIV]

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
[Colossians 3:15-17 NIV]

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
[Psalm 107:1-3 ESV]

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
[2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV]

♫♪ Thank You Lord ♫♪

This was a new song to me. I don’t know the song writer’s name or when it was written. I found versions with many more verses. I gather this song has been around a long time.

Its simple message and melody make it easy to learn and remember — and they give it much potential power. It offers a good example for songwriters and is a lovely addition to a song leader’s kitbag.

Like most songs, I’ve come to like it better the more I sing it. It has blessed me much this week.

When days shake us, a song like this is such a joy and help. In times of great victory — and in times of bitter distress — how marvelously this little song steers us toward a safe harbor and to solid ground by bringing up from our hearts to our mouths the words, “Thank You Lord”.

God bless you lots
-Dale R.

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Download this song sheet

LYRICS: Thank You Lord
Text & tune: unknown

1. Thank you, Lord,
Thank you, Lord,
Thank you, Lord,
I just want to thank you, Lord.

2. You’re so good,
You’re so good,
You’re so good,
I just want to thank you, Lord.

3. You’re my friend,
You’re my friend,
You’re my friend,
I just want to thank you, Lord.

4. I am loved,
I am loved,
I am loved,
I just want to thank you, Lord.

5. Thank you, Lord,
Thank you, Lord,
Thank you, Lord,
I just want to thank you, Lord.

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