"I
will bless the Lord at
all times; His
praise shall continually be in my
mouth." (Psalm 34:1)
“I will…”
– the choice
“… bless
the LORD …” – the action
“… at all
times …” – the duration
“His
praise …” – that which belongs to Him
“… shall continually be …”
– an ongoing process
“… in my mouth …” – spoken, audible
As I mused on this verse, I thought of Jesus' words to the Pharisees, on one occasion,“Out of
the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). “Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above
all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life,” He admonishes
also, in Proverbs 4:23.
His words inform me that the content of my heart is
critical. Whatever I have in abundance there will determine what comes
out of my mouth, especially in the unguarded moments, and in times of duress.
What,
then, must I have in my heart in abundance in order for me to bless Him at all
times? For His praise to be continually in my mouth, regardless of my
circumstances and my confusion and the fight to keep standing?
The words of Psalm 71:7, “I
will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to
the name of the LORD most high,” suggest that a settled, seeped-into-every-corner-of-my
heart-knowledge of His character,would be a necessary component. The unwavering belief that He is good. That
He is for me and not against me or out to get me. That He has His hands
and eyes on me and both are grace filled. That He is full of compassion,
plenteous in mercy, and rich love. That His love for me is eternal and
unchanging and unconditional. That He really has purposed good for me.
Another
component could be the decision, even if it is one that I must make
every day or every minute, when necessary, to believe what He says over my own
thoughts, perception, doubt, and that of anyone else. Period.
Matt Redman's song,
"Blessed be Your Name," has become an anthem for me, and a stirring
reminder to bless and praise Him, regardless.
Blessed
Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
