Psalm 103

Excerpts of Psalm 103 (ESV):

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.

Bless the LORD, O you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his word,

obeying the voice of his word!

Bless the LORD, all his hosts,

his ministers, who do his will!
Bless the LORD, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Until I opened my ESV translation of Psalm 103, I noticed that "praise" (NIV) was replaced with "bless" (ESV). And that revelation struck me that when we praise our God, we are blessing Him. I've always taken that blessings were for us. He graciously pours His blessings on us in many different ways... but how do we bless Him? One, not forgetting his benefits; and second, following His will.

And more so, it's not just me, not just one soul, blessing the Lord, but all of creation -- angels, hosts, ministers his work -- bless the Lord together. Though due to the depravity of our wickedness, it is impossible to bless the Lord, but because of His Holy Spirit, we can bless the Lord, joining with all creation.

My prayer is that I desire to bless the Lord: by following His will because it He who forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, satisfies.