"Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honor and majesty."
Psalm 104:1
“Bless the LORD, O my soul.”
To “bless the LORD” is to praise Him. In our ”blessing” to the LORD is the inherent idea that we love Him and we are thankful for Him. A blessing is typically a wish for things to be well with the one who is the recipient of the blessing.
“O my soul.” The “soul” here is the “heart” or “mind.” Perhaps we could say it is the “seat of the emotions” the place where we make our decisions. Barnes says, “my mental and moral powers, as capable of understanding and appreciating his favors. The soul of man was ‘made’ to praise and bless God; to enjoy his friendship; to delight in his favor; to contemplate his perfections. It can never be employed in a more appropriate or a more elevated act than when engaged in his praise.”1
“O LORD my God, thou art very great;”
Why should I bless my God? The answer is obvious, He is “very great.” He is excellent in His person, in His works, and in His deeds. And what He has done for me is beyond my comprehension.
“Thou art clothed with honor and majesty.”
As a king is clothed in the robes and crown of his office, so the LORD is arrayed in honor and majesty.
“The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved,” (Psalm 93:1).
His “honor and majesty” can be seen in His salvation, His holiness, and in His works.
“His glory is great in thy salvation: honor and majesty hast thou laid upon him,” (Psalm 21:5).
“Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary,” (Psalm 96:6).
“I will speak of the glorious honor of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works,” (Psalm 145:5).
Let’s remember God’s goodness and be faithful to “bless the LORD.”
1. Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.