EXTOL THE LORD

He is worthy ... 

Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15

It blesses and honors the Lord when from a grateful heart His creatures acknowledge Him. The following verses beautifully extol the Lord's divine character ...

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 iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The Lord executes righteousness

And justice for all who are oppressed.

Psalms 103:1-6

As he thought about his abiding faith in God, David was convinced that he did not praise Him enough. He understood that true worship comes from deep within and he commanded his soul to do more. 'Bless the Lord, oh my soul'

Spurgeon - David selected a few of the choicest pearls, threaded them on the string of his memory, and hung them about his neck in gratitude.

Extolling the Lord should be done for contemplative reasons ... not spurred by emotion alone. Call to mind His appreciable benefits and vocalize them as instruments of praise (the greatest of which is His willingness to forgive). When the magnitude of our sin and the righteousness of God is fully understood, 'forgiveness' becomes a staggering reason for praising and honoring Him.

The Lord is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

He will not always strive with us,

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

As a father pities his children,

So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.

Psalms 103:8-14

David knew the mercy of God personally. He saw his sins as deserving much greater judgment than they had received. When contemplating your own guilt, you may wonder why the Lord has not dealt with you more harshly. Know this ... your iniquity didn't just vanish away as if it didn't matter. God laid it upon another. Jesus bore your sins and paid the ultimate price. 

Think of God as a loving Father dealing with His children ...

Spurgeon - Though He knows trials will work for your good, He pities you. Though He knows that there is sin in you which may require discipline, He pities you. Though He can hear the joyous songs that will eventually come from your present sighs and griefs, God still pities you. 

God's compassion is rooted in His understanding of your inherent weakness, impermanence, and frailty. He knows your frame, that you are dust. Remember, pilgrim ... all of the graces of the Father are yours through the Son. 

Praise Him, accordingly.