"Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare."
Psalm 75:1
Asaph’s song is an encouragement to the children of Elohim (God). He tells how God will lift up His children and put down the wicked. God’s child responds to His goodness with thanksgiving.
“Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks,”
In this song, our thanks are directed to God (Elohim). Elohim is the “plural of majesty,” the plural name for God. When this name for God is used in the Old Testament, it intimates for us the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This name tells us that God is the “strong one,” and it emphasizes His power, creatorship, sovereignty, and majesty!
When Asaph says we give thanks to God, this is who he is thinking of, Elohim, the strong One! And being a song (or psalm), it is meant as a public presentation of our thanks. All the reasons for praise follow in the rest of this psalm (this would be a great time to read Psalm 75).
“Unto thee do we give thanks:”
A rule of thumb for Bible students, when God says something in the Word once it is critical and we need to pay close attention to what He says. But when God says something twice (or more), we had better pay extra special attention to it!
This phrase about “giving thanks” is repeated, so we need to pay attention! The repetition tells us that it is emphatic! Here are special reasons for our thanksgiving. Spurgeon tells us that we need to “praise God and praise God.” God is deserving of all our praise. We need to be grateful. “Stinted gratitude is ingratitude. For infinite goodness, there should be measureless thanks.”1 How true!
“For that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.”
What a great statement, “thy name is near.” A name represents the person. Elohim, “God is near.” Jeremiah describes God as being “at hand.”
“Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? (Jeremiah 23:23).
When God is near He answers prayer, and He does great things. “We sing not of a hidden God, who sleeps and leaves the church to her fate, but of one who ever in our darkest days is most near, a very present help in trouble, ‘Near is his name.’”2
Thank God because He is close to His children!
My God is Near3
By Mac Lynch
Make me know your presence Lord, the King of Glory here.
You know each thought and action, hope, anxiety and fear.
How can I hide from Thee? Can darkness hide iniquity?
Oh how can I unfaithful be, when You are very near to me?
When God is near, all the world seems far away.
When God is near, every fear is set aside.
When God is near, how can I stray? How can I falter?
I’ll stay upon the altar, I know my God is near.
Make me know Your presence Lord, when I feel so alone.
You know each trial and testing pain, the hurt that is unknown.
Oh, why can I not see Your hand so firmly guiding me?
Oh how can I untrusting be, when You are very near to me?
When God is near, all the world seems far away.
When God is near, every fear is set aside.
When God is near, how can I stray? How can I falter?
I’ll stay upon the altar, I know my God is near.
1. C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, the electronic version in eSword.
2. C.H. Spurgeon, ibid.
3. “My God Is Near,” by Mac Lynch, Copyright: The Wilds Christian Camp and Conference Center.