Bless the LORD!

"Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!"

Psalm 103:1

Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD, and all who know Him ought to bless Him.  What does this mean, to bless the LORD?  The word "bless" means to kneel, to bless God in adoration, to salute, praise and thank.  The U.S. military has many regulations around saluting and an article reads,  "All military enlisted personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize a commissioned or warrant officer."  It is important therefore enlisted personnel in uniform learn and recognise the different ranks and when, how and who to extend a hand salute to show due respect.  Not being a member of the military I am largely ignorant of the traditions and decorum around saluting, but children of God ought not to be ignorant on how to bless the LORD who created, saves and reigns supreme over all.

We bless God by recognising who He is, the living God whom we serve.  Another aspect of blessing God is recalling and saying out loud the wondrous things He has done for others and ourselves.  When a dignitary is introduced in a public assembly, their name, title and accomplishments are rehearsed before all the attendees so they will bestow the honour of listening attentively with respect:  how much more ought we to speak of the goodness and greatness of God in public and private?  The speaker or honoured guest being introduced does not need reminding of their position or accomplishments, but the introduction is necessary because many of the listeners remain in the dark.  We bless the LORD, not to remind God of why He is worthy or to make Him proud (for He is without pride), because it is we who need reminding and the re-alignment of our perspective by faith in who He is, what He has promised and all He has done.

Psalm 103 gives us an example of what blessing the LORD looks like.  David continued in Psalm 103:2-12, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: ³ Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, ⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, ⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. ⁶ The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. ⁷ He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. ⁸  The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. ⁹ He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. ¹⁰ He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. ¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; ¹² as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."

We are quick to ask God for blessing, whether it be a meal or the works of our hands:  are we quick to bless the LORD?  Reading Nehemiah 9:5-6 this morning prompted me to consider this question myself:  "And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said: "Stand up and bless the LORD your God forever and ever! "Blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise! ⁶ You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and everything on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You."  Though God has put us at ease by His grace, love and mercy, let us never neglect His worthiness to be worshiped, praised and blessed.  He has been good to mankind as the Bible testifies, and He has been good to us as well.  Let us bless the LORD so today we will remember His goodness and benefits.