In Thankful Remembrance for My Dear Husband's Safe Arrival
The speaker expresses gratitude to God for His mercy and encourages others to return praise to Him with a humble heart.
Anne Bradstreet reflects on the overwhelming gratitude towards God for His countless mercies and blessings, acknowledging her own weakness and shame in comparison. She emphasizes the importance of expressing thankfulness to God daily, recognizing His faithfulness in answering prayers and providing beyond what is asked. Bradstreet urges believers to seek God's help in returning praise to Him and to walk in upright ways before Him.
Text
What shall I render to Thy name
Or how Thy praises speak?
My thanks how shall I testify?
O Lord, Thou know'st I'm weak.
I owe so much, so little can
Return unto Thy name,
Confusion seizes on my soul,
And I am filled with shame.
O Thou that hearest prayers, Lord,
To Thee shall come all flesh
Thou hast me heard and answered,
My plaints have had access.
What did I ask for but Thou gav'st?
What could I more desire?
But thankfulness even all my days
I humbly this require.
Thy mercies, Lord, have been so great
In number numberless,
Impossible for to recount
Or any way express.
O help Thy saints that sought Thy face
T' return unto Thee praise
And walk before Thee as they ought,
In strict and upright ways.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The speaker's struggle to express gratitude - The speaker's recognition of God's mercy
- II points: - God's willingness to hear prayers - The speaker's desire to return praise to God
- III points: - The speaker's acknowledgment of God's great mercies - The speaker's request for help in returning praise to God
Key Quotes
“What shall I render to Thy name Or how Thy praises speak?” — Anne Bradstreet
“Thy mercies, Lord, have been so great In number numberless, Impossible for to recount Or any way express.” — Anne Bradstreet
“O help Thy saints that sought Thy face T' return unto Thee praise And walk before Thee as they ought, In strict and upright ways.” — Anne Bradstreet
Application Points
- We should approach God with a humble and sincere heart, acknowledging our weakness and dependence on Him.
- We should seek to return praise to God by walking before Him in strict and upright ways.
- We should recognize and express gratitude for God's great mercies in our lives.