Have you ever wanted to express your feelings to someone but couldn’t find the right words? Maybe you stood in the greeting card aisle hunting for the perfect card to express what was in your heart. When you found the right card, did you feel a sense of thankfulness for the person who wrote it? Probably not, but you should! They helped you express what you could not on your own. In many ways, the Psalms function the same way.

The speaker invites his readers to express themselves to God aloud, joyfully, and with gladness (vv. 1–2)! As C. S. Lewis noted, “The Psalmists in telling everyone to praise God are doing what all men do when they speak of what they care about.” The writer of this psalm cannot stop himself from rejoicing and invites others to do the same.

The speaker declares that Yahweh, their god, is God (v. 3). In a world where every nation worshiped their own god, the Psalmist wanted Israelite worshipers to remember that they were the only ones worshiping in light of reality (John 4:23). He continued with more cause for rejoicing: God made them, and, as a result, they belonged to Him (v. 3). Like sheep who belong to a shepherd, they were protected, fed, and cared for by God. With these images in mind, the speaker invited listeners to enter the city of God with thankfulness for who He is and how He behaves towards them. He is good and He loves with a love that will never fade (v. 5)!

Sometimes we find emotions hard to express. The grind of life dulls our spiritual senses. We may approach worship with lips weighed down. The psalms can help us express what we really feel. Shout for joy! God made you and loves you. You belong to Him.