October 15th

I Will Bless the LORD

Psalm 34:1-2
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

David Gives Thanks to God

The introduction to this Psalm says that it's a Psalm of David, when he was before Abimelech, who drove him away. This is actually a reference to his appearance before Achish, the king of Gath, as David fled from King Saul. David became afraid in the presence of the men of Gath, and pretended to be insane. King Achish believed David to be mad, and sent him away, and he escaped to the cave Adullam.

At this point David uttered the words, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” David’s response to being delivered from a dangerous situation was to praise and thank the LORD. He gave glory to God and said, “My soul shall make her boast in the LORD:” This word “boast” means to shine with praise. It doesn’t mean to have a silent praise in your heart, but to shine with praise and gratitude.

Praise Lifts Up Others

He goes on to say that, “. . . the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.” It’s difficult to hear a silent praise in one’s heart. The word “humble” means poor and needy and distressed. David always seemed to have a heart for the humble ones, the regular everyday folks of the world. He said that the needy and distressed shall hear my praise and thanksgiving to God, and shall be glad, or, that is, they shall be made to rejoice and be glad.

This is one aspect of the power of praise and thanksgiving. Our praise, our open and deliberate and heartfelt thanks to God, gives hope to those who are in need of help from the LORD. It’s the power of our testimony about what the LORD has done for us. It encourages and gives hope to the weak and troubled.

A Heart of Praise

God has done so much for us. May we let every downcast spirit be replaced with a heart of praise and thanksgiving for His goodness, and let us put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Like David, may we let his praise be “continually in our mouths,” and be thankful “at all times.”