The Psalms: Beauty in Giving and Thanksgiving

It's been quite a while since my last post. In the intervening months I wrapped up my theology degree, at last. I’ve been trying to settle into some form of 'normal life,' as I consider how to integrate these years of learning into my pursuits for this coming season. At the rate I'm going, this may take another two years to figure out!

Lately I’ve been thinking about beauty in the Psalms. For a conference a few weeks back, I reflected on Martin Luther’s reading of Christ’s beauty within Psalm 45, in dialogue with contemporary art (the recording from is available online, if you’re interested).

Detail from 'David Playing the Harp Before Saul,' Rembrandt

I’ve continued to read through this rather singular biblical book for traces of beauty. Dropping into these Scriptures at just about any place, it becomes pretty apparent that the Psalms as a whole are poetic and often beautiful expressions, these vivid, emotive songs and prayers to God. And the particular references to beauty within the Psalms further this idea, that our offerings to God are invested with beauty.

Psalm 50 opens with God's beauty shining from Zion (v. 2). It continues by reminding that God doesn't simply ask for sacrifices of bulls or goats, he seeks “a sacrifice of thanksgiving” (v. 14), which seems to call us to recognize God's gifts as we give. We’re told this kind of sacrifice glorifies God (vv. 15, 23). The psalmist’s words describing God's beauty and this glory rendered to Him aren't the same. And yet I still wonder if our glorifying God in thankful, worshipful giving may reflect His radiant beauty. Or perhaps even impart the fragrance of the Son who gave Himself, “a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph. 5.2).

Psalm 96 encourages the whole earth to sing, to praise, to glorify its Creator. It describes the qualities that surround God, honour and majesty, strength and beauty (v. 6). And much like Psalm 50, the encouragement to bring an offering to God's courts coincides with the call to render glory to God, adding that we are to “worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (v. 9). The beauty here does not seem to be cozy or domesticated, qualities I'm often inclined to associate with beauty. Rather it is reflective of the awe due to God (v. 9). A similar sense is picked up in Psalm 29, which likewise calls for worship of our awesome Creator in such holy beauty.

This month, as we Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving, I've been encouraged by friends and family to persist in giving thanks. I’m humbled by the possibility I read from these Psalms -- that my faltering efforts to recognize God’s gifts and return them to Him may glorify Him, may begin to reflect His surpassing, awesome beauty. That in itself seems a cause for thanks!

---

Image Credit:

https://www.tuttartpitturasculturapoesiamusica.com/2016/04/Rembrandt-SaulanDavid.html