Who be Blessing Whom? August 5, 2014

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
² Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
³ who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
⁵ who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103:1-5 (ESV)

This is a wonderful passage.  It reminds God's children of all He is prepared to do for them.

1.  Forgiveness- past, present, future

2.  Healing- Maybe not tomorrow or next week, but ultimately.

3.  Eternal salvation

4.  Continual love and mercy from Him

5.  Contentment- If we will allow it.

6.  Strengthening

However, it also raised some questions in my mind.  "'Bless the Lord, O my soul.'  How do I "bless" God?  Why would I bless Him?  Isn't He supposed to be blessing me?" 

I had always interpreted the verb "bless" as something we did to consecreate or hallow something or someone.  God is holy.  He is perfect, flawless.  He has no need of my blessing.  Then I went to a dictionary to see if perhaps I was misinterpreting "bless".

The first two definitions were in line with my original thinking.

: to make (something or someone) holy by saying a special prayer
: to ask God to care for and protect (someone or something)

However, further down was the following:

a :  praise, glorify <bless his holy name>

b :  to speak well of :  approve 

After reading this, the passage from Psalm 119 made more sense.  God certainly doesn't need my prayer to make Him holy.  He doesn't need my prayer for His care and protection.  But He does desire my "blessings" in the form of praise and glorification.

At this point I could rehash earlier posts about how it is easier for me to thank God than to praise  Him, but I am not sure He cares whether I start the prayer with "thank you for. . ." or "bless you for. . ."  As long as I am calling to mind all He has, is, and will do for me.  If I recognize His glory in creation, the verbiage is irrelevant.  He desires conversation, relationship.  Word choice is not His concern.

Bless, thank, praise.  He knows my heart.