An Asaph Thanksgiving

Psalm 79

This week is that of a specific day nationally set aside for Thanksgiving in the United States As everyone knows about thanksgiving it isn't a day, it is a heart attitude and heart desire that comes out in grateful appreciation. In the U.S. the first celebration feast of Thanksgiving was a three day event after the hardest first year. Around half the people died of those who had traveled the year before to establish a place of freedom, especially for worshipping God, Reading Psalm 79 one would wonder how can this be considered a psalm of Thanksgiving? And why Asaph? This only says it was committed to Asaph. Here's some background and thoughts for my meditation.

The main place in time this Asaph is found is in the days of King David and of his son Solomon when he became king after David. What can be learned about Asaph is that he was of the line of Aaron's son Kohath, therefore was of the tribe of Levi. His ministry was in the Sanctuary. He was a singer, actually the chief singer. His instrument of choice was the cymbals. He also was a prophet, back then called a Seer. He is remembered along with David in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah in the days of rebuilding the temple after 70 years in Babylon.

For in the days of David and Asaph, of old were chief singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.

Nehemiah 12:46 GNV

What I struggle with of Psalm 79 is the destruction written about here. Jerusalem had just been named Jerusalem. It was Jebusi before David was chosen to be king and challenged someone to capture it from the Jebusites. The walls of Jerusalem were being built, possibly weren't finished in David's day, and that which was finished wasn't destroyed in David's or Solomon's day. Since Asaph was contemporary with David when did a writer of Asaph's day record the walls of Jerusalem destroyed? But while that requires more research and understanding it is important the enemies position all around this writer described throughout this psalm once again sounds like a very difficult situation, but even as those who in the lands of North America celebrated with thanksgiving against overwhelming hardships it can be read of their heart after all the difficulties the psalm's writer faced. It seems quite significant how this psalm ends like the day of the pilgrims in the Massachusetts Bay colony. They didn't celebrate because of good times. They celebrated because of the goodness of God.

So we thy people, and sheep of thy pasture shall praise thee for ever: and from generation to generation we will set forth thy praise.

Psalms 79:13

GNV