Psalm 103:1-2 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—.
“Happiness does not make us grateful, gratitude keeps us happy – always”.
Gratitude ignites worship. Worship is not a ritual; it is the response and expression of appreciation. Hence complainers and criticizers can never worship the Lord. Praise is a thanksgiving offering for what God has done in our lives but worship is deeper. Worship is adoration and adulation of who He is. Unless we understand the nature of God, His greatness and the extent of His goodness we will not be able to worship Him. Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing (Isaiah 40:26). Gratitude enlightens us to understand His greatness.
Bible scholars are unsure when Psalm 103 was written but it is one of most adored compositions of David. The psalm starts as a personal praise and ends with the universal call of both the terrestrial and the celestial beings to worship the Lord. This praise psalm starts with an outburst of awe and gratitude for the personal blessings, forgiveness, healing and redemption from sins then goes on to hailing the Lord for His righteousness, justice and compassion. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him (vs 13). Then David abruptly brings the smallness of man in comparison to the greatness and graciousness of God and transcends from praise to worship. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field. The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. (vs 15&19). Gratitude is the force/wind that changes the gear from praise and thankfulness into worship and adoration.
Gratitude reveals the greatness of our God:
1. Think: Our thoughts feed the substratum of our soul with gratitude or grumpiness. Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippines 4:8). Pondering about the problem will make us grouchy but thinking about the power of God will turn panic into praise.
2. Thank: Thankfulness is an outpouring of gratitude that is bubbling in our soul. If the soul is simmering with ingratitude, then, negativity and pessimism will spill over.
3. Testify: Gratitude will shatter the wall between the natural and supernatural and join with the angels to testify and sing in adoration to the Lord. David transcends into worshipping with the celestial beings towards the end of the psalm and joins the heavenly choir. Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word (vs 20).
Gratitude mellows our heart to always be thankful but ingratitude will make it callous.
Psalm 103:21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
Prayer: Bless the Lord Oh my soul and all that is within me bless His holy name. Amen.
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