Praise the Lord, O My Soul
This psalm is a wonderful praise song to the Lord by David, towards the end of his life. This psalm begins and ends with a call to praise the Lord. David has experienced God’s mercy and grace repeatedly through out his life. Take this opportunity to praise God for His compassion and grace towards you.
David begins this psalm with personal praise (1-5). He declares he will “bless” the Lord with his whole being (1). To “bless” God is to extol the nature and works of God so that His reputation is further exalted. He resolves not to forget the gracious acts of God by ignoring God’s goodness and disobeying His will (2). Over the next few verses David extols God’s blessings. God repeatedly forgives sins and restores spiritual health, bestows His love and mercy, and gives good things that satisfy His people and renew their strength all throughout our lives (3-5).
David continues by giving reasons that we should praise the Lord (6-18). The Lord’s actions are always right towards His people; He will see justice done (6). God has revealed His nature and will in His word to Moses (7-8). God’s people can praise Him because of His love. This is showed to them by forgiving their sins and giving them His mercy and grace. He is no longer the believer’s judge, but rather a loving Father (9-14). While mankind is transitory and finite, God is eternal and unchanging in His love towards His saints (15-18).
David concludes this psalm by calling all creation to praise YHWH (19-22). He calls the angels, then all believers, and finally all of creation itself to extol the nature and works of YHWH (19-22). Brethren, praise God for His goodness and grace towards you.