What Does it Mean to Bless God?
The concept of blessing God is found throughout the Bible. At its core, blessing God is about praising, exalting, and bringing glory to Him. It is an act of worship recognizing God for who He is. There are several key aspects involved in what it means to bless the Lord:
Giving Thanks and Praise
A primary way we bless God is through giving thanks and praise. When we recognize the goodness, greatness, and sovereignty of God, it leads us to offer praise. “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” (Psalm 103:1-2). Gratitude and thanksgiving bring glory to God. “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 107:1). Praise exalts His name and focuses our awe on Him. “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).
Proclaiming His Greatness
Blessing God also involves proclaiming His supreme greatness. As we reflect on who He is, we extol His surpassing worth and magnificence. “Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty” (Psalm 104:1). Recognizing the majesty of God compels us to speak of His greatness. “My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever” (Psalm 145:21). Exalting His excellencies lifts Him up.
Declaring His Goodness and Power
Blessing God means declaring His goodness, mercy and power. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). Meditating on His acts of mercy and grace causes us to bless and exalt Him. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death” (Psalm 68:19-20). Remembering His mighty power and miraculous works leads us to extol Him. “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things” (Psalm 72:18). His lovingkindness compels grateful praise.
Surrendering Our Lives
Perhaps most fundamentally, blessing the Lord means surrendering our whole lives to Him in worship and obedience. More than just praise, it is devoting ourselves completely to Him. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name” (Psalm 103:1). It is offering ourselves in service to Him. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). It is both declaring His glory and submitting to His Lordship. True blessing involves reverent fear, awe, and obedience. “You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess” (Deuteronomy 5:33).
The Overflow of a Grateful Heart
Ultimately, blessing the Lord flows from the overflow of a grateful heart recognizing God’s abundant goodness and unmerited grace. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). His kindnesses toward us elicit thanksgiving and praise that bless and honor Him. “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people…to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant” (Luke 1:68, 72). The more we comprehend His love and mercy toward us, the more we desire to exalt and bless His name.
Reasons to Bless the Lord
The Bible gives many reasons why we should bless and praise God. Here are some key motivations:
He is Our Creator – “Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent” (Psalm 104:1-2). He deserves praise for His creative power and wisdom.
He is Our Shepherd – “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” (Psalm 103:1-2). Like a shepherd, he gently guides, provides, and protects us.
He is Our Redeemer – “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people” (Luke 1:68). Through Christ, He has forgiven our sins and granted salvation.
He is Our Father – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). He has adopted us as His dearly loved children.
He is Merciful and Gracious – “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” (Psalm 103:1-2). He is patient, slow to anger, and compassionate.
He Bears Our Burdens – “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation” (Psalm 68:19). In love He carries our heavy loads.
He Richly Provides – “You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth” (Psalm 104:14). His generous hand supplies all our needs.
He Forgives Our Sins – “Bless the Lord, O my soul…who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:2-3). He cleanses us from guilt and pardons our transgressions.
He Saves Us – “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation” (Psalm 68:19-20). He delivers us from sin, death, and hell.
He Gives Eternal Life – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope…to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven” (1 Peter 1:3-4). Through Christ, He grants us unending life.
How Do We Bless the Lord?
The Bible suggests many ways we can bless and honor God. Here are some key ways Scripture teaches us to exalt and worship the Lord:
Praise and Thank Him – “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1). Expressing grateful praise honors Him.
Speak of His Greatness – “My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever” (Psalm 145:21). Telling others of His wondrous works glorifies Him.
Sing Psalms and Hymns – “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1). Singing songs of worship exalts Him.
Pray and Repent – “Blessed is the one…whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered…I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:1, 5). Turning from sin in prayer honors Him.
Meditate on His Word – “Blessed is the man…[whose] delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2). Dwelling on His Word focuses our minds on Him.
Serve Others – “And David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: ‘Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever…But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you’” (1 Chronicles 29:10, 14). Using our gifts to serve blesses God.
Trust and Obey – “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord…Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!” (Psalm 40:4; 112:1). Living in faith and obedience glorifies Him.
Give Generously – “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11). When we give cheerfully, it blesses God.
Make Disciples – “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:18-19). Fulfilling the Great Commission spreads blessing to God.
In summary, blessing the Lord means reverencing, worshiping, and bringing glory to God in response to who He is and what He has done. It flows from hearts filled with gratefulness, praise, and love for our gracious Heavenly Father and Christ our Redeemer. The more we comprehend His surpassing greatness, goodness, and mercy, the more we will desire to bless His holy name. May we continually find fresh reasons to exalt Him through our lives.
