Psalm 103:1 is an emphatic and imperative call to praise the Lord. The command implies affection and a sense of gratitude as well as effort and energy. To bless the Lord with all that is within me involves my entire being. Someone may casually remark that they do not get much out of worship. As this passage reveals, that is the case when one does not put enough into worship. The remainder of the psalm identifies a number of reasons why we should bless the Lord with all that is within us–why we should worship Him with affection, gratitude, effort, and energy.
We bless the Lord because of what He has done for us (Ps. 103:2-5). God pardons and releases us from all our iniquities. He heals all of our diseases. He buys us back from destruction. He takes us from the pit to the palace and places a crown woven of lovingkindness and tender mercy upon our heads. He satisfies our needs and fulfills all our longings. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Ps. 103:2).
We bless the Lord because of how He has dealt with us (Ps. 103:6-18). Jehovah does not deal underhandedly or begrudgingly with His people. Rather, He deals righteously and justly. He has revealed His will to us. He has extended mercy in abundant quantities. He knows our nature, our strengths, and our weaknesses, and has therefore dealt with us accordingly. His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting to all those who keep His covenant and remember His commandments. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Ps. 103:2).
We bless the Lord because He reigns forever (Ps. 103:19-22). Countless kings have occupied thrones since the creation of the world. Countless armies have battled, and countless empires have risen to prominence. Eventually, every king dies, every army is defeated, and every kingdom falls, but not our God. No army will every dethrone Him, for He rules over all. His angels excel in strength and his ministers do His pleasure. Everything praises Him. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Ps. 103:2).