Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
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,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
(ESV)
—Psalm 103:1-12
by: Gabrielle Watt.
David was pouring out praise to God. Notice how he instructed his soul to praise the Lord, almost as if he was telling himself that he could do better. He did not stop there; he implored all of himself. David did not want to praise God half-heartedly—rather he wanted to praise God with everything he had. How often are we offering half-hearted praise to God? If we are honest with ourselves, can we say we make an effort to praise God in the way He deserves? How can we praise God with everything we have? Perhaps we can take a note from David by listing out the reasons why God is worthy of praise.
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