"Bless Jehovah, O
my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy Name" Psa. 103:1
This great Psalm of perfect praise is one of the most
familiar in the Psalter. It is a glad outpouring of gratitude to Jehovah; for
His ways with men; for what He is in Himself; for His great mercy; for His faithfulness
therein; for the order and perfection of His government. For our present help
we stress these introductory words, revealing as they do the responsibility of
the soul in the matter of rendering PRAISE to such a God. The singer addresses
himself. He realizes that he has power over himself that he is able to give or
to withhold that which is due to God. He realizes also the complexity of personality.
In order to perfect praise, all its powers need to be ARRESTED, SUMMONED TO
ACTION, UNITED in order to completeness. Whether intentionally or not, is there
not here a recognition of the spiritual nature as ultimate, and all mental
powers as possessions thereof? The method harmonizes with that of Paul in Rom. 12:1, where he called upon
believers to present their bodies, to seek the renewing of their mind, and thus
to render reasonable (or, more accurately, spiritual) service. The one value of
these opening words is that they show us that worship is not involuntary and automatic. It calls for the co-ordination of all our powers, if it is to be
perfect. This truth should arrest us whenever we enter the place of worship.
The sanctuary is not a lounge, a place of relaxation. We should enter it with
all the powers of personality arrested, arranged, dedicated. Then we may render
a service of praise that is worthy and acceptable.
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