p. 574 | THE MEASURE OF PRAISE

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 3, 1901

THE MEASURE OF PRAISE.

In Ps. 103:1 David says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” “All that is within me” includes the entire being. Why are we to praise the Lord?—It is for blessings and benefits received. This, then, is an assurance that God has blessings and benefits for us, which are not limited in extent, nor confined to any one branch or feature of our organism. For David does not say, “Let my spiritual nature, alone, bless the Lord; for that is what alone receives benefits from Him;” or, “Let my mental nature bless the Lord, for that alone is what He cares for and sustains especially;” or, “Let my physical nature bless Him, for that alone can hope for help from Him;” but, “All that is within me, bless His holy name.” So we may go to Him with our sicknesses, our bodily infirmities, our spiritual and mental troubles and cares of every name and nature, as well as with our sins, and find such results as will lead us to bless His holy name.

And all this ground David covers, when, in the verses which immediately follow, he gives the implied reason why we, and all that is within us, are to bless His holy name: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; and healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Verses 2–5.

Thankful for help promised that covers so much ground, let us give Him the praise that His wonderful goodness and benefits deserve.