Psalm 103: Bless the Lord

It's easy to praise the Lord and bless His name when things are going well, but when things go wrong-well that's another story. Lately God has been teaching me a lot about His blessings and how to be thankful. Over the past couple of months I've struggled with this at times, but the Lord has used it to teach me so much.

There is a song called 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman that has been my heart's cry over the past few months. The song was taken directly from Psalm 103, especially verses 1-5. I love worshiping the Lord through this song and how He has used it in my life.

        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.

As a father shows compassion to his children,

so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.

For he knows our frame;

he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,

and his righteousness to children's children,

to those who keep his covenant

and remember to do his commandments.

The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,

and his kingdom rules over all.

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!

(Psalm 103 ESV)

I love this Scripture. The goodness of God just shines through every verse, telling about what He has done. In verse 10 it says "He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our inequities". We don't deserve even an ounce of grace yet the Lord gives us more than we can even imagine. That fact blows my mind. We are not treated like sinners, rather like Children of God.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

This should be my response to everything that happens to me. Doesn't matter if it's good or bad, the Lord deserves praise. Even when the evening comes, we must praise His name. But that's easier said than done. I struggle so much with this. Sure when things are going well I am all "God is great!" but when things aren't going as planned, that's not the first thing I want to say or even think. With everything that has happened to me over this year, I have learned and am still learning how to bless the Lord in each and every situation.

"But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children, to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments" (Verses 17-18)

God's love does not just end. It has NO end. And we have received this undeserving love through the blood of Jesus. That gives us way more than 10,000 reasons to bless the Lord! Just think of all the ways God has blessed you. You can't count them. But you can praise Him for everything He has given you.

Here are the lyrics for 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord). I pray that this song can be your heart's cry to the Lord.

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name

We have the opportunity to bless the Lord and praise HIS name! We have freedom to worship our King. Take every moment as an act of worship, remember all that He has blessed you with, is blessing you with, and ways He will bless you as His plan for you unfolds.


With Blessings,

     Heather