Psalm 116 (giving God thanks)

¹² What shall I render to the LORD
         For all His benefits toward me?
 ¹³ I will take up the cup of salvation,
         And call upon the name of the LORD.
 ¹⁴ I will pay my vows to the LORD
         Now in the presence of all His people. (Psalm 116:12-14)





First and foremost, Thanksgiving must remind us to thank God for His many benefits. Psalm 116 is such a psalm that teaches us from God's Word how we can practically give thanks to God. Throughout this entire psalm, the writer freely uses the word "I." His use of the word "I" makes this psalm a psalm that each one of us as individuals can use to guide us in thanking God for His goodness.



But how can we give back to God for all his goodness toward us when God needs nothing? In (Romans 11: 35), Paul asks this very question, "who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again?" No one can give God anything , for verse 36 goes on to tell us that "from Him and through Him and to Him are all things." Every good gift comes from God.
We cannot give God anything in return for God's abundant goodness to us. However, we can learn, like the psalmist learned, that we can respond to God's blessings in practical ways:


Tell others about God's mercy to you and how Christ saved you. Remember, Jesus promises in (John 12:32) that He will draw your family and friends to Him when He is lifted up in conversation and testimony.

We can also respond to God's blessings by obeying His commands and desires for our lives.  We exercise obedience by doing what God tells us to do. Obeying God is another expression of gratitude for His benefits in our lives.