Bless The Lord , O My Soul

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!

By Rodney W. Francis

In Psalm 103 we have the tremendous statements of a man who has proven the reality and power of the Living God. He shares with us all the wonderful things that God has done for him as he has placed his trust in the Lord. He opens this Psalm with this declaration:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits (“rewards”): Who forgives (“takes away guilt”) all your iniquities (“wickedness, corrupt desires, vanity, troubles”), Who heals (“salvation, health, saving health”) all your diseases (“sicknesses and diseases”), Who redeems (“sets free”) your life from destruction (“ruin, waste”), Who crowns you with lovingkindness (“kindness, mercy”) and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed (“to make anew, repair, restore”) like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:1-5, NKJV).

David is talking to his own soul to bless the Lord for all that He has done for David. It does us good to remind our soul of that which Jesus has purchased for us and the wonderful ways by which He blesses and provides for us. David told his soul to not forget all the benefits and things that God had done for David ~ how God had forgiven him of all his sins and iniquities ~ how God was the healer of his sicknesses and diseases when they attacked his body ~ how God had redeemed his life from waste and ruin ~ how God had poured His lovingkindness into David’s life with tender mercies ~ how God had provided food for his daily needs ~ and the result of which made David renewed in strength to be as a youth again ~ even like an eagle that can soar high above every earthly circumstance that comes against us.

The Bible tells us that when David was going through a difficult time of opposition (because the Amalekites had kidnapped their families) and the people talked of stoning him to death, he rose above all the negativities and encouraged himself in the Lord. It states: “And David was greatly distressed (“implying a sore trait, from which there seems no way of escape; anxiety” – Wilson’s); for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved (“bitter”), every one for his sons and his daughters: but David encouraged (“strengthened”) himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:1-6, KJV). At that point in time David had no encouragers whatever. The people were hostile towards him, taking their heart-breaks and losses out on him. But David had learned an important lesson ~ that he could encourage himself in the Lord. He turned His attention on the Lord and what He could do ~ and as a result his soul rose up on to a much more positive place than what was being poured out on him by the people. We also, today, need to encourage and strengthen ourselves in the Lord! We cannot always rely upon others to do that.

We need to talk to our soul at times, because it is so easy for us to forget what God has and is doing for us who have been saved by Him. He is a Bountiful God! As we read on through this Psalm we see that God gives justice for the oppressed (“broken, crushed”) ~ He makes known His acts to us ~ that He is merciful and gracious ~ slow to anger and abounding in mercy ~ that He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities ~ His mercy is great toward those who fear Him. He is so gracious and loving toward us that “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” ~ He pities those who fear Him ~ He reveals that we are only here on earth for a short time ~ but the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting (how long is that!) to those who remember His commandments to do them. He tells us that His Kingdom rules over all.

This Psalm reveals the heart of God toward those who love and trust Him.

We should bless the Lord continually: “Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure. Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!” (Psalm 103:21-22).

IT IS IMPORTANT

It is very important that we have a positive confession of ourselves ~ and especially of that which God has done for us. A negative confession has a negative effect upon us: as we think, so we are (Proverbs 23:7). If, like David, we bless the Lord from our souls, then we are going to receive more of His benefits. It is important that we do this, for we are living in a negative society where many people, including Christians, are caught up in negative thoughts and expressions of themselves.

This is where the indwelling Holy Spirit is of great help. When we speak in other tongues we are speaking in the Spirit language directly to God. This has a very positive influence and impact upon us as well, for “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself” (1 Corinthians 14:3). Edifying ourselves is “Building ourselves up on our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20).

Notice in both of these Scriptures we make the choice of building ourselves up through speaking to Jesus in other tongues. Hallelujah!
There is a very positive purpose for us to be speaking in tongues day by day!
Consider what is being said here in these verses.
They are keys to effectively blessing the Lord from our spirit and soul.

God has wonderfully made this gift available to us so that we can live and walk in close relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit.

We always benefit when we use what God has given us. Praise His Name!
Know that God has the best intentions for you, but the world, the flesh and the devil are out to try and bring you down from experiencing the ongoing benefits of what the Lord has accomplished for us.
When we do things God’s way, it always works out the best for us as well.
He loves you and me very dearly and desires that we experience all that He has purchased for us through what Jesus Christ accomplished for us through His life, death, burial and resurrection. He lives today ~ right now! And He desires to be God to you in every area of your life! “Bless the Lord, O my soul”!

KEEP FOCUSSED ON JESUS!

As we keep our focus on Jesus He will cause us to be lifted up above every circumstance and opposition that comes against us. Jesus came to give us “life more abundantly” (John 10:10), so we can experience and enjoy all the benefits He has for us. When we are focussed on Jesus we cannot help but “Bless the Lord, O my soul” through good times and bad. Make sure you have your eyes on Jesus continually; then you will be amazed at what He can do for you, in you, and through you as a true child of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Yes, Jesus has purchased us with the price of His shed blood so that we can be in a personal walk and relationship with Him day by day.
There is nothing more precious than that in our daily living.

In closing, here are some other Scriptures for us to be encouraged to “Bless the Lord”:

“I will bless the Lord Who has given me counsel . . .” (Psalm 16:7).
“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honour and majesty . . .” (Psalm 104:1).
“But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm115:18).

Be encouraged to keep your soul stirred to know and experience all that God has provided for you through His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, through your Blessing the Lord at all times. While we are blessing the Lord for Who He is, we cannot be thinking negative things about others or ourselves, or our circumstances. God bless YOU!

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