God is judge. He is the Mighty One, God the LORD, the final arbiter. He carries pure and just scales and will measure according to perfect holiness. And in Psalm 50, He comes calling (50:1-6).

The songwriter envisions God speaking and summoning the earth (v.1). The perfection of His beauty shines forth from Zion as He comes in a mighty tempest, calling to the heavens above and the earth below to “gather to Me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.” Gather them, says the Almighty, that I might judge My people.

And twice in this song of Asaph God reveals the measure with which He is glorified by His faithful ones. And, it would seem, it’s the heart behind worship.

“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
       and perform your vows to the Most High,
and call upon Me in the day of trouble;
       I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. . . .

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me;
       to one who orders his way rightly
       I will show the salvation of God!”

(Psalm 50:14-15, 23 ESV)

While God acknowledges their consistency in offering bulls and goats as burnt offerings, He says, in a sense, “What are they, in and of themselves, to Me? Every beast of the forest is already Mine. The cattle on a thousand hills belong to Me before you ever culled one out to bring as a sacrifice. The birds along with everything that moves in the field are mine. In fact, the entire world and its fullness are mine. So, it’s not just about offering an animal and giving to Me what I already own. It’s what’s behind it. The heart of worship matters.”

And so the songwriter pens a refrain, twice repeated, which acts as an invitation by the Almighty, “Offer thanksgiving!” for that is the heart I desire behind worship.

Going through the motions is meaningless apart from the motivation. Let the offering be accompanied with confession concerning the greatness of God. Let the smoke that rises from the sacrifice be infused with songs of praise declaring His mighty works on behalf of His people. Let the blood that is shed be fully acknowledged for the atonement it brings and let the worshiper respond by offering Himself as a living sacrifice, desiring to follow and obey–to perform their vows and order their way rightly–not as an act to gain favor, but as a loving response to the favor already received. And let it all be done with thanksgiving, with deep-seated, raw and emotional gratitude.

What’s behind the sacrifice is important to our God. What drives the worshiper is what makes the worship pleasing before the Almighty. It is with hearts turned by grace and tuned with thanksgiving that God is glorified. The heart behind the offering matters.

The blood makes way for the Holy One to dwell among His people, and for His people to draw near in assurance of faith, but it is the heart of thanksgiving and praise that honors Him in their midst. He is lifted up when His people gather and bring their offerings from souls that joyfully delight in His presence. He is exalted when faithful ones give freely and willingly to Him because they recognize how graciously and abundantly He has provided for them. A sacrifice of thanksgiving. Offerings born out of praise. Lives lived for Him compelled by hearts of overflowing gratefulness. That’s what glorifies our God.

And the song finishes with a wonderful promise.

“I will show the salvation of God!”

The fullness of salvation stretches beyond the forgiveness of sins secured by a substitutionary atonement–though, even if it didn’t, that would more than enough to fuel our praise for eternity. But beyond being rescued and redeemed, the Mighty One of Zion sent His Son that we might have life and “have it abundantly” (John 10:10b). So it is for the one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice, to the one who orders his way with praise, to the one whose heart is tuned toward glorifying His God — the fullness of salvation is shown and life to the full is known. And that, through the heart readied for worship.

       Come thou Fount of every blessing,
              tune my heart to sing Thy praise!

We hear Your call, O God. Receive our sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Sourced from Your abundant grace!

Offered for Your everlasting glory.