* Bless the Lord, O my soul & forget not all of His benefits!The NIV translation translates “Ble

* Bless the Lord, O my soul & forget not all of His benefits!The NIV translation translates “Bless the LORD, O my soul” as “Praise the LORD, O my soul.” Though the ideas are similar, they are not identical. To “bless” something in the Bible is the opposite of to “curse.” When we bless people, we affirm or delight in them & therefore seek their delight & fulfillment. We bless when we seek to give them the deepest desires of their hearts. Therefore, to bless God is somewhat more personal than simply to praise Him. Better yet, it is intimate personal praise. It means (1) to identify those things that He most desires & those things that would most glorify Him & then (2) to long for His joy & glory — & (3) to give Him the things that accord with this joy & glory….To bless God is to give Him joy by enjoying & rejoicing in Him. We give joy to Him by taking joy in Him. And actually, that is the heart of any real love relationship.–Tim KellerPsalm 103Bless the Lord, O My SoulBless the Lord, O my soul & all that is within me,bless His Holy name!Bless the Lord, O my soul & 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 & mercy,who satisfies you with goodso that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.The Lord works righteousness & justice for all who are oppressed.He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the people of Israel.The Lord is merciful & gracious,slow to anger & 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,& His righteousness to children’s children,to those who keep His covenant& remember to do His commandments.The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,& 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! -- source link

More pics about