Shalom Bayit: Why is it Required to Verbalize Thoughts if God/your wife already know them?

“Do you love me?” a woman asks her husband. “Yes.” he answers as a matter of factly. “So why don’t you tell me so?” “When we got married 30 years ago I told you so. If anything changes I’ll let you know.” In the Torah portion of כי תבוא God requires that a man make a declaration as he brings his tithes.1 Now, I would understand that the IRS requires tax filers to make declarations since the IRS doesn’t know someone’s true state of affairs. But why would God need that? God knows it all! God requires that we make a declaration for the benefit of the relationship. God teaches us that when we express our feelings we clarify things for ourselves, and solidify the relationship in the process. God modeled that for us when He created the world. He didn’t just think “oh it’s dark. It would be nice to have some light.” Rather He verbalized “Let there be light.” Verbalize your feelings for shalom bayit. ❤