Spiritual Practices & Prayer

Praise and Thanksgiving

by
St. Bernard of Clairvaux,
from
Sermons on
“The Song of Songs”

“In all things give thanks,
for this is the will of God
for you in Christ Jesus.”

(1 Thes. 5:18)

And so, we conclude that it was by divine inspiration and impulse that he (the author of the “Song of Songs”) sang the praises of Christ and His Church, of the gift of holy love and the mystery of everlasting (perfect and complete) union with God.  Here, again, are expressed the mounting desires of the holy soul (to be united to God), and its marriage song—an exultation of spirit poured forth in loving lyrics with figurative language full of delight.

If you look at your own experience, is it not in the victory by which your faith overcomes the world—in your escape “from the miry (dissolute) pit and out of the slimy mud of the swamp”—that you yourselves sing a new song to the Lord for all the marvels He has performed? (1 John 5:4; Psalms 40:2)

Then again, when He started to “settle your feet on a rock and to direct your steps,” was there not, then too, a new song sounding on your lips, a song to our God for His gracious renewal and gift of new life to you?  When you repented, He not only forgave your sins but promised rewards, so that rejoicing in the hope of good things to come, you sang gratefully of the Lord’s ways:  “How great is the glory of the Lord!” (Psalms 138:5)

And in the daily trials and spiritual combats—which are never lacking to those who live in Christ and for Him—arising from the flesh, the world and the devil, you have learned by experience that the life of man on earth is a ceaseless warfare, and are inwardly moved to repeat your song (of praise and thanksgiving) day after day (and night after night) for every victory won (and for another day to fight again).  Each and every time that temptation is overcome, or an immoral habit is conquered, or an occasion of sin is avoided, or the trap of the seducer is detected, or a long indulged passion is mortified, once and for all, or a virtue—ardently longed for, prayed for, and sought after—is finally obtained by the gift of God, so often, in the words of the prophet, let thanksgiving and joy resound. (Isaiah 51:3)

And when, as happens with Christians, some text of Sacred Scripture (or the spiritual classics) that was previously (cloudy or) dark and incomprehensible to you becomes, at last, more bright (and light) and meaningful to you (by the divine illumination), then, in gratitude and thanksgiving for this nourishing bread from heaven (that frees and strengthens you), delight the ears of God with a voice of exaltation and praise, “singing (sweetly in the Holy Spirit) and making music (a loving melody) to the Lord in your heart, giving thanks always and for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God the Father.” (Eph. 5:19-20)