Photo by Autumn Mott Rodeheaver on Unsplash

hearing some Psalms read in thanksgiving this morning (Happy Thanksgiving to the Canadians out there), I was inspired to create my own. Psalms, at their core, are lyrical poems, prayers and songs on a variety of topics expressing deep emotions. They’re typically written in parallel lines, emphasizing repeated ideas in alternate ways, and often start as personal prayers which are used as community worship. Here are some expressions of thankful wonder that almost plucked themselves from my heart with how easily they spilled forth.

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A Psalm of Thanksgiving (2025)

My God, My God, how is this?
      How you love me! Oh, and why?
I don’t understand it;
      my brain can’t comprehend!

I fail, falter, fall;
      my selfishness sometimes…
Drives me, wrenches control,
      takes me dang’rous places.
Yet you guard me with rails;
      you guide me with headlights.

You are goodness itself;
      you source every good thing!
Better than the best store,
      you offer quality
Unparalleled, the best;
      you’ve never had refunds.

You never change; you’re God!
      Your attitude shifts not.
I will trust in your love;
      for it’s the best measure.
In everything I build,
      your hope is ninety degrees;
Your joy is at my back,
      like soundly-built corners.

Selah (take a deep breath in, and let it out as you ponder)

For all of these reasons,
      but also, many more.
I will ever claim you,
      Jesus, my truest friend.
Whether in grief or joy,
      you hold me completely.
In confusion or peace,
      you carry my mind, heart.
Your goodness follows me;
      on your command, it trails.

To you only I pray;
      for you alone are God.
Capital “G” – THE God,
      the most powerful one.
And yet, the most loving;
      your heart bled for us all.

You made yourself lowly;
      you whisper calm kindness.
You handed yourself out;
      like slices of fresh bread.
Yet you haven’t ended;
      you have never emptied.
You were always present;
      and you will ever be.

My God, my God, you are;
      my life is found in you.
My thanks will always pale,
      yet it’s hung on your fridge.
So I will ever draw,
      to frame how good you are.
I can’t help but share you,
      And reflect your image.

Selah (take a deep breath in, and let it out as you ponder)

How do I stop thanking?
      How do I cease praising?
I don’t – I pause for breath;
      I sleep, I rest, I wait.
For tomorrow – what hope! –
      we wake to start again.

And so I thank you,
      For everything you’ve given,
      Because it is a lot.

October 12, 2025