Grateful Heart

Grateful Heart, joys in singing, always bringing, beauty to the heart…
In every situation his peace he imparts…
No matter how tough the battle becomes, Grateful Heart sees what must be done
To encourage and stand strong before others who long, to obtain a grateful heart…
Grateful Heart, makes me laugh and makes me dance, Grateful Heart feels me with jubilance…
With just one glance, I’m elated by his wooing for our moment by moment romance…
He’s kind and brave and at every chance
He gives his all, and I am in tranced in the beauty of his smiling eyes…
Even when he wants to cry, pressing on he speaks no lies…
He’s grateful no matter what comes his way…
How is it that even in the worst of times you stand, in fortitude and take it all in stride?
Tell me, so that I, too, will show gratitude in everything I say and do.
Brave one, you must understand, I’m called Grateful Heart because I am…
Love without measure, there is no greater treasure, than a heart that surrenders to God…
When trouble comes to rock your world, hold tight your shield and do not be mocked…let gratefulness take its place and do not yield to the human side of you…send Holy Ghost he’ll fight for you…
You’ll see that when, you praise the one, who gives you, life, he fills your soul with thanksgiving, then, sing songs of grace, for it cuts like a knife and there’s no demon in hell that can withstand, the light, when I am in your heart…
Be grateful in all things, think the most amazing thoughts, speak my words for they have brought life to an ungrateful place…and as you look upon the face, of all the ones who are angry; displaced; display your grateful heart…
The sun will shine brighter, the rain will be fresher, darkness will run from the light…a grateful heart will make everything right…and even though it won’t seem bright…a grateful heart will seal the night that breaks way into a better day…be grateful come what may…
Grateful Heart, what’s happening? I open my mouth and begin to sing, songs of a different kind…My heart is pure, my eyes can see, I am no longer blind to thee…
You’re granted, a grateful heart!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill, June 9, 2020

Ezra 3:11 New King James Version (NKJV)
11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD:
“For He is good,
For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.”
Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Psalm 7:17 New King James Version (NKJV)
17 I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Psalm 9:1 New Living Translation (NLT)
Psalm 9
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Death of the Son.”
1 I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.

Psalm 35:18 New Living Translation (NLT)
18 Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly.
I will praise you before all the people.

Psalm 69:30 New Living Translation (NLT)
30 Then I will praise God’s name with singing,
and I will honor him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:1-3 New Living Translation (NLT)
Psalm 95
1 Come, let us sing to the LORD!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come to him with thanksgiving.
Let us sing psalms of praise to him.
3 For the LORD is a great God,
a great King above all gods.

Psalm 100:4-5 New Living Translation (NLT)
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Psalm 106:1 New Living Translation (NLT)
Psalm 106
1 Praise the LORD!
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 145:18 Good News Translation (GNT)
18 He is near to those who call to him,
who call to him with sincerity.

Daniel 2:23 Good News Translation (GNT)
23 I praise you and honor you, God of my ancestors.
You have given me wisdom and strength;
you have answered my prayer
and shown us what to tell the king.”

Ephesians 5:18-20 Good News Translation (GNT)
18 Do not get drunk with wine, which will only ruin you; instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with the words of psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing hymns and psalms to the Lord with praise in your hearts. 20 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father.

Philippians 4:6-7 Good News Translation (GNT)
6 Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. 7 And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.

Colossians 2:6-7 Good News Translation (GNT)
Fullness of Life in Christ
6 Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with him. 7 Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives on him, and become stronger in your faith, as you were taught. And be filled with thanksgiving.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Good News Translation (GNT)
16 Be joyful always, 17 pray at all times, 18 be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:28-29 The Passion Translation (TPT)
28 Since we are receiving our rights[a] to an unshakeable kingdom[b] we should be extremely thankful and offer God the purest worship that delights his heart[c] as we lay down our lives in absolute surrender, filled with awe.[d] 29 For our God is a holy, devouring fire![e]
Footnotes:
a. Hebrews 12:28 The Greek word paralambano is often used in classical Greek literature for heirs who have the “rights of succession” (to a throne). (See Aristotle, Pol. 3.14.12; Herodotus, 2.120.)
b. Hebrews 12:28 See Dan. 7:18.
c. Hebrews 12:28 Or “offer pleasing service to God.”
d. Hebrews 12:28 The Aramaic can be translated “We have received grace to serve and we please God in awe and tender devotion” (submission).
e. Hebrews 12:29 The Aramaic can be translated “consuming light.” See also Deut. 4:24; 9:3.

Hebrews 13:15-16 The Passion Translation (TPT)
15 So we no longer offer up a steady stream of blood sacrifices, but through Jesus, we will offer up to God a steady stream of praise sacrifices—these are “the lambs”[a] we offer from our lips that celebrate his name![b]
16 We will show mercy to the poor[c] and not miss an opportunity to do acts of kindness for others, for these are the true sacrifices that delight God’s heart.
Footnotes:
a. Hebrews 13:15 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek is “the fruit of” our lips.
b. Hebrews 13:15 See Ps. 50:14, 23.
c. Hebrews 13:16 As translated from the Aramaic.