The Song of Thanksgiving: Responding to God’s Grace
In the liturgy, following the Assurance of Pardon, the Song of Thanksgiving marks a joyful response to the grace we have received. This element of worship allows the congregation to respond in gratitude for God’s mercy.
Understanding the Song of Thanksgiving
The Song of Thanksgiving is an expression of heartfelt gratitude to God, sung by the congregation. It follows the Assurance of Pardon, creating a natural progression from receiving God’s grace to responding with praise.
It is essential to recognize that the Song of Thanksgiving is exactly that—a song that reflects our grateful response to God’s pardon of our sins. This is why a song like “His Mercy is More” fits so well in this category. If we are responding in gratitude to God, then our song ought to reflect this gratitude. The focus, therefore, should not be on the style or historicity of the song, but on what the song is saying. In this context, the song should express thankfulness to God for pardoning our sins and holding us fast amidst our failures.
Scriptural Foundations of Thanksgiving
Singing songs of thanksgiving is a deeply rooted biblical practice, seen throughout the Psalms and the New Testament. Through the scripture, rather it be after the crossing of the Red Sea, or the pronouncement of the birth of Jesus, God’s people often respond to His words and works with praise of thanksgiving.
- Psalm 95:1-2: “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!”
- Colossians 3:16: “…singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
- Ephesians 5:19-20: “…addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
What Type of Song are We Singing?
A meaningful Song of Thanksgiving typically includes the following elements:
- Relevance: Lyrics that reflect themes of gratitude, grace, and redemption, aligning with the Assurance of Pardon.
- Congregational Participation: Melody and structure that encourage participation from the congregation.
- Theological Depth: Rich theological content that reinforces the truths of God’s grace, mercy, and faithfulness.
Some examples of songs that beautifully fit the category of the Song of Thanksgiving include:
- “His Mercy is More” by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa: This song emphasizes the abundant mercy of God, making it a perfect response of gratitude for the forgiveness of sins.
- “Before the Throne of God Above” by Charitie Lees Bancroft: A song that expresses the security and assurance found in Christ, making it a fitting response to the assurance of pardon.
- “In Christ Alone” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend: Recounts the gospel story, making it a profound response of thanksgiving.
- “Before the Throne of God Above” by Charitie Lees Bancroft: Provides assurance of our standing before God, leading naturally into thanksgiving.
- “There is a Fountain” by William Cowper: Celebrates the cleansing power of Christ’s blood.
- The Power of the Cross” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend: Reflects on the significance of the cross, leading to a thankful response for Christ’s sacrifice.
The Impact of the Song of Thanksgiving on Worship
The Song of Thanksgiving:
- Promotes Congregational Praise: It encourages unity and participation. As the congregation sings together, they share in a expression of gratitude, strengthening the bonds of fellowship. It reinforces the communal aspect of worship. Singing together as a congregation highlights our shared experience of grace.
- Reinforces the Gospel: It reinforces the gospel message in a memorable and emotive way. Music has the power to embed theological truths in the hearts of worshipers, making the experience of grace more profound.
- Responds to Grace: It serves as a joyful response to God’s grace. Having received the assurance of pardon, the congregation’s natural reaction is to express their gratitude through song.
This song is not just a musical interlude to the service. but it is our response to God’s grace, where we collectively celebrate the forgiveness and new life we have received in Christ. IT invites us to join our voices in a joyful chorus that echoes the good news of the gospel, reminding us of the joy that comes from being reconciled to God.
This same step of a thankful response also takes place after the Lord’s Supper. Just as we sing in gratitude after receiving the Assurance of Pardon, we also respond with thanksgiving after partaking in the Lord’s Supper. Songs like “Jesus Paid It All” or “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” can be fitting responses in this part of the service, reflecting the profound gratitude we feel for Christ’s redemptive work.
In the structure of the service, the Song of Thanksgiving serves as a link between receiving God’s pardon and engaging in further acts of worship. It transitions us from the solemnity of confession to the exuberance of praise, embodying the gospel’s transformative power. Every aspect of our worship should echo the grace and truth of the gospel, and the Song of Thanksgiving is a powerful expression of that joyous response.
This post is part of our series: Liturgy, A Gospel Conversation