Can You Bless the Lord?

“Will you bless the food?” is a request I have received many times over the years when visiting in someone’s home or at a pot luck dinner.

At times, more so in past years, the one presiding at the communion service will ask someone to “bless the bread,” or “bless the fruit of the vine.”

But have you ever heard someone say, “Will you bless the Lord?”

The expression, “bless the Lord,” is actually found 23 times in Scripture, mostly in the Psalms. Here are a few examples.

Deuteronomy 8:10
When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.

1 Chronicles 29:20
Then David said to all the assembly, “Now bless the Lord your God.” So all the assembly blessed the Lord God of their fathers, and bowed their heads and prostrated themselves before the Lord and the king.

Psalms 16:7
I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;

Psalms 103:21
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

Psalm 104:1
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, You are very great:
You are clothed with honor and majesty,

David said, “I will Bless the Lord at all times” (Psalm 34:1) What does this mean? When should we do it? And how can it be done?

Bless means “to knell, to be blessed, or to bless.” It is a Semitic word used in reference or connection with Deity. It is used as a pronouncement of God’s blessings on mankind. And it is used to show the blessing we become.

It seems paradoxical for human beings to “bless the Lord,” when He is the one who provides the blessings, However, in the Old Testament the call to “bless the Lord” involves a recognition of God’s goodness, His greatness, and His providential care. It’s an expression that speaks to our praise to God as we glorify and reverently honor Him. It can be a call to worship. An acknowledgment of our humble, unworthiness, and utter dependance on God.

To ”bless the Lord” rises above an emotional reaction, but rather is a deliberate, mindful, conscious choice. When we “bless the Lord,” like David we’re reminded of His blessings and benefits as he expressed in Psalm 103.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:

Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

One of my favorite authors, Anonymous, once wrote about blessing the Lord in every circumstance and situation of life.

Lord Giveth – Bless God
Lord Taketh – Bless God
When I’m Up – Bless God
When I’m Down – Bless God
When I Have Money – Bless God
When I am Broke – Bless God
When I am Working – Bless God
When I am Laid Off – Bless God
When I am Feeling Well – Bless God
When I Have Aches and Pains – Bless God
When I am Understood – Bless God
When I am Misunderstood – Bless God
When I’m Calm – Bless God
When I’m Stressed – Bless God

To “bless the Lord,” calls for total commitment, complete surrender, and loving obedience. We “bless the Lord” through our words, our worship, and our daily, Christian walk.

Today, whether it’s raining or the sun is shining, whether you’re sick or healthy, whether you’re on the mountain top or down in the valley, whether you’re enjoying good times or experiencing difficult days, can you “bless the Lord”?

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman