There are crosses we carry
There are thorns in our side
There are memories so heavy we're all bent up inside
From the hurt and the trauma and the tears that we've cried
Let the shadows remind us there's a Heavenly light
For God so loved, so loved the world
He gave His one and only Son
Gave everything for everyone
Give thanks to God
Give thanks to God
For the work that is finished, in the Father's eyes
For the blood that has painted all my wrongs now made right
For the lost that are finding no one's out of Your sight
Turn that mourning to dancing, now there's no need to hide
For God so loved, so loved the world
He gave His one and only Son
Gave everything for everyone
Give thanks to God
Give thanks to God
Give thanks to God
For His great love
Give thanks to God
For everything, for everyone
Give thanks to God
Give thanks to God
For God so loved, so loved the world
He gave His one and only Son
Gave everything for everyone
Give thanks to God
Give thanks to God
Give thanks to God
Give thanks to God
Give thanks to God
Give Thanks to God
Give Thanks to God Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
"Give Thanks to God" by We Are Messengers opens with a poignant acknowledgment of the struggles inherent in the human experience. The lyrics speak directly to the burdens people carry, depicting life's difficulties through evocative imagery like "crosses we carry," "thorns in our side," and the weight of heavy memories that leave individuals "bent up inside." This imagery resonates with the universal presence of hurt, trauma, and sorrow. However, the song quickly pivots from this difficult reality to introduce a message of hope, asserting that even the "shadows remind us there's a Heavenly light," suggesting that trials can point towards divine presence and comfort.
The central message and call to worship are powerfully conveyed in the recurring lines that echo one of the most foundational verses in Christian faith: "For God so loved, so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son." This direct reference encapsulates the profound love of God demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, providing the ultimate reason for the song's titular command. It emphasizes that this divine gift was given "everything for everyone," highlighting the inclusive and boundless nature of God's love and salvation, forming the bedrock upon which the call to give thanks rests. This core theme aligns closely with the message found in John 3:16, which speaks to God's immense love and the gift of eternal life through belief in His Son.
Further verses elaborate on the specific aspects of God's work for which thanks are due. The song mentions the "work that is finished, in the Father's eyes," pointing to the completed act of redemption accomplished through Christ's life, death, and resurrection. It references the transformative power of the atonement, stating that "the blood that has painted all my wrongs now made right," directly linking Christ's sacrifice to forgiveness and reconciliation with God. The lyrics also express gratitude for God's constant awareness and pursuit of the lost, assuring that "no one's out of Your sight." The song culminates in the joyful declaration that this divine intervention turns "mourning to dancing," removing the need to hide, a theme reminiscent of scriptures like Psalm 30:11 which speaks of God turning sorrow into joy.
The song serves as both a reflection on human vulnerability and a triumphant anthem of gratitude for God's redemptive love. The repeated exhortation, "Give thanks to God," becomes a heartfelt response to the overwhelming grace and sacrifice described. The reasons provided for this thankfulness are twofold and all-encompassing: "For His great love" and "For everything, for everyone." This reinforces the idea that thanksgiving is the appropriate and natural response to God's character and actions on behalf of humanity. Released on September 20, 2024, "Give Thanks to God" offers a timely reminder of the source of hope and the reasons for gratitude amidst life's challenges, encouraging listeners to focus on the finished work of Christ and the unwavering love of God as the foundation for their faith and thankfulness.