As the New Year began, I found myself waking up many mornings with my mind quoting Psalm 103.

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

King David is the author of this Psalm. He understood the importance of worshiping God and knew that he needed to regularly encourage himself to worship. David tells himself to Bless the Lord with his mind, will, and emotions. However, he doesn’t stop there. He tells himself to “Bless the Lord” from the deepest part of his being. There is purpose and intentionality. Blessing the Lord requires focus and being completely engaged.

When we Bless the Lord, we affectionately, gratefully declare God’s attributes and character. God is good (Psalm 25:8). God is love (1 John 4:8). God is light (1 John 1:5). He is our hope (1 Peter 1:3). He is our peace (Ephesians 2:13, 14). God is true (Jeremiah 10:10, John 17:3). God is joy (Romans 14:17). God is life (John 20:31, Romans 6:22,23).

Bless His Holy Name. We affectionately, gratefully declare God’s Name, of which He has many! God is Creator (Colossians 1:16, Psalm 104). He is our Savior (Acts 5:31, 1 Timothy 4:10). He is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11). He is our Shepherd (Psalm 23). God is our Rock (2 Samuel 22:3, Psalm 66:2). A Strong Tower (Proverbs 18:10). King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the Only Wise God (1 Timothy 1:17). Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Let’s be completely engaged, with intentionality, to affectionately and gratefully declare God’s name, attributes, and character. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.

Pastor Tom