January 10

Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name. — Ps 103:1 BSB

Just as the Son glorified the Father, and the Father glorified the Son, there is also a people in whom both the Father and the Son will be glorified. Jesus said, “The glory that You gave Me, I have given them, that they may be one as We are one” (John 17:22), and again, “All Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.” When God’s goodness and mercy in Christ are revealed to His chosen people, they return glory to Him by praising and blessing His name for this revelation of His grace. In this way, a blessed circle of glory exists: the Father glorifies the Son, the Son glorifies the Father, and both are glorified in their redeemed people, who give back glory through their praise. Thus, the Gentiles glorify God for His mercy, saying, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people. Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and laud Him, all you people” (Romans 15:9-11).

This is beautifully expressed in Psalm 103. The psalmist begins by calling his soul to bless and praise God: “Bless the Lord, O my soul—and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” Why does David urge his soul to bless the Lord and not forget all His benefits? It is so that he may offer a tribute of grateful praise. When we offer praise, we glorify God. We cannot add to His glory, for it is infinite, eternal, and beyond our reach. But God allows us, lowly as we are, to glorify Him by offering our thankful praise. We do this by believing in His Son, receiving grace from His fullness, and blessing His holy name for the manifestation of His goodness, mercy, and love to our souls by His divine power.