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\u201cIt is good to praise the Lord, and to make music to your name, O Most High. proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night\u2026For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done\u201d (Psalm 92:1,2,4).

Each work of art comes out of a context, whether its poetry, music, photography, or sculpting. Art historians enjoy debating the effects of the context on the artist and how it shaped her work. This is true of the biblical psalms as well. But much is lost in history. The context of today\u2019s psalm has vanished.

However, we do know how it was used by the people of Israel as they worshipped together. The Jewish rabbis encouraged their people to use this psalm as a psalm of thanksgiving and as a Sabbath psalm.

Why would the rabbis connect this psalm to thanksgiving and Sabbath? It does not fit at first glance. But consider the following things.

Reading Exodus 20, we discover a link between Sabbath and creation. We are told to rest because God rested from his creating work and to make \u201ca sabbath to the Lord.\u201d On the Sabbath we re-learn to trust in God for life and well being. He is THE CREATOR.

Through out the Old Testament and in Christian theology, the doctrine of God as the creator of the world includes not just the initial act of creation but his continued providential care over it and us. The Heidelberg Catechism and A Contemporary Testimony: Our World Belongs to God make this connection (Google will find both for you or contact our church for copies).

Psalm 92 is a call to praise God (thanksgiving is part of praise) because of this ongoing creative work of God. This psalm explores God's providential care over His creation, especially over His people. This care leads to victory over His enemies and to flourishing for His people.

Sabbath is a time to remember who is God! As Christians, we believe that our Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is God. It is not always easy to remember or believe this. There is still much chaos and evil in the world, in our own lives. That is why God commands us to rest: to remember that He is God, He will be God forever, and he has not abandoned his creation.

Several wise Christians have pointed out that the two twin enemies of the spiritual life are hurry and fatigue. This is a malady of North American Christianity. Hurry and fatigue are the result of not enough sabbath. Yet, keeping sabbath is the only back to trusting in God.

This psalmist also catches a glimpse of what is to come. At times in this life, we may see the enemies of God scattered and powerless. Sometimes, we may see God's people flourishing. But those are only glimpses. Not until Jesus' work of redemption is complete; not until He returns in glory will we see this fully.

Until that time, we are to keep Sabbath. Sabbath is time to look forward, to anticipate, and to pray for that day. Also, to remember that God will bring it about. Let us give thanks for Sabbath.

Be honest: when is the last time you took time for Sabbath Keeping? Our Christian faith doesn't just happen. It takes some effort on our part. Part of that effort is to be quiet, to rest. To consider what is true. When is the last time you adjusted your living because you gave God time to correct your way of life?

As we enter a new fall without COVID restrictions, let us include Sabbath keeping in our rhythms. Let us gather for communal worship when possible and pause regularly in the course of our days to let God be God.