Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Psalm 50:14
Asaph begins Psalm 50 by describing God’s final judgment of people on earth. God judges people for treating Him lightly. When the people offer sacrifices but blatantly reject God’s laws, they invite judgment. Israelites were carrying out their duties regarding the sacrifices according to the law; they were doing things right externally. God desires internal righteousness more than external compliance. Asaph points out that God does not need animal sacrifices like bulls or goats. God does not need anything, He is a Self-existent One. He is the Creator and Sustainer, nothing creates or sustains Him. God desires love and thanksgiving from His people. It is an offering of a sacrifice that proceeds from the people’s heart, and which is expressive of gratitude and praise. Every believer needs to fulfill their vow to God by following Him and witnessing Him. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He owns every animal and every bird and every beast. He owns us. For His greatness and goodness, we “continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name”
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One;
give thanks, because He’s given
Jesus Christ, His Son…. Because of what the Lord has done for us,
Give thanks…