How does Psalm 107:31 connect with Ephesians 5:20 about gratitude? Reading the Verses “Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.” “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Shared Emphasis on Gratitude • Both verses command thanksgiving, not as an occasional courtesy but as a consistent response to God’s character and actions. • Psalm 107:31 roots gratitude in the LORD’s “loving devotion” (ḥesed) and His “wonders”—visible acts of deliverance described throughout the psalm (vv. 4–30). • Ephesians 5:20 expands this posture to “everything,” showing that the cross and resurrection reveal God’s ultimate wonder, prompting ceaseless gratitude through Christ. Covenant Love Sparks Gratitude • Psalm 107 rehearses God’s covenant faithfulness to Israel; each vignette ends, “Let them give thanks.” • Paul, steeped in these Scriptures, applies the same covenant lens: in Christ, God’s steadfast love is now experienced by Jew and Gentile alike (Ephesians 2:13). • Thus, the covenantal ḥesed that moved the psalmist fuels the New-Covenant believer’s thanks. Gratitude as a Lifestyle, Not an Event Psalm 107 pattern: 1. Crisis (vv. 4, 10, 17, 23) 2. Cry for help (v 6 etc.) 3. Deliverance (v 7 etc.) 4. Thanksgiving refrain (v 8 etc.) Ephesians 5 pattern: 1. Filled with the Spirit (v 18) 2. Overflow in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs (v 19) 3. Continuous thanksgiving (v 20) Both texts show gratitude flowing naturally when hearts are rescued or Spirit-filled. Christ-Centered Thanksgiving • Psalm 107 points forward to Christ, the ultimate deliverer (Luke 4:18–19). • Ephesians 5:20 makes the connection explicit: thanks is offered “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” acknowledging His mediation (Hebrews 13:15; John 14:6). Wonders Then, Salvation Now • Old-Testament “wonders” (Psalm 107:24) include calming storms; Jesus literally repeats this wonder on Galilee (Mark 4:39). • His atoning death and resurrection eclipse every earlier wonder, giving believers a greater reason to “give thanks…for everything.” Practical Ways to Live Out This Gratitude • Recall specific past deliverances, echoing Psalm 107’s storytelling rhythm. • Verbalize thanks in worship and daily conversation, aligning with Ephesians 5:19–20. • Journal “loving devotion” sightings—moments where God’s ḥesed shows up. • Let gratitude guard against grumbling (Philippians 2:14) and anxiety (Philippians 4:6–7). • Serve others as a tangible “thank offering” (Hebrews 13:16). Supporting Scriptures • Colossians 3:17—“whatever you do…giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” • 1 Thessalonians 5:18—“give thanks in every circumstance.” • Psalm 100:4—“Enter His gates with thanksgiving.” • James 1:17—“Every good and perfect gift is from above.” Summary Psalm 107:31 calls God’s people to thank Him for steadfast covenant love and mighty acts; Ephesians 5:20 applies that same heartbeat to every arena of life through Christ. United, they urge an all-day, every-day lifestyle of gratitude, grounded in God’s unchanging love and the finished work of Jesus. |
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