Bless the LORD! Praise God the Father!

Psalm 103:1 inspired these great hymns:

  • “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” (Thomas Ken, 1674)
  • “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! (Joachim Neander, 1680)
  • “Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven (Henry Francis Lyte, 1834).
  • “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy Name!” (Andrae Couch, 1973)
  • “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” (Matt Redman & Jonas Myrin, 2012).

King David emphasised in Psalm 103:1, 22 that the worshipper must bless (barak) the LORD (YHWH).

The Hebrew word “barak” means “bless” or “adore on bended knees.” “Barak” in Greek is “eulogo.” Let my soul bless (eulogise) the LORD. An eulogy is a tribute with good words for someone who has died. As a tribute to our everlasting God let all who love Him bless Him and praise Him.

In the NT, the Apostles Paul and Peter identify the LORD (YHWH) as God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:3-14 has the grand eulogy of 202 Greek words in one sentence:

“Blessed (Eulogetos) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One who blessed (eulogesas) us in Christ with every spiritual blessing (eulogia) in the heavenly places …”. And ends with “to the praise of His glory”.

In love, in eternity past, God the Father initiated our adoption and redemption in Christ. As a gracious Giver, He gave Jesus as His precious Gift to us. The Holy Spirit is our Guarantor until we appear holy and blameless before Him.

Let us know Christ intimately, love Him sincerely and trust Him fully.

Be filled with the Holy Spirit and study God’s Word diligently. Walk in the love, the light and the life of the living Triune God.

Elder Yoong Yuen Soo