Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
This psalm discusses the sacrifices. This psalm reminds us what they’re all about.
The bulls, goats, sheep – they aren’t valid sacrifices, because they belong to God already. You can’t sacrifice something that isn’t yours. You’re just returning it. The sacrifice is how you approach the altar. God doesn’t need the sacrifices because he’s hungry, and if he were, why would he waste time coming to us?
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
I actually think the second stanza, at least as it’s divided in the English Standard Version, verses 3-6, are comparing God to other ‘gods.’ Our God speaks to us. More than that, he speaks to us loudly, in devouring fire and a mighty tempest. He is personal. He is unmistakable. He REACHES DOWN TO US!
We don’t have to sit around wondering if he’s there, guessing about what he might be up to, who’s side he might be on. We know him. He came to us.
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving.