Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The Commencement of Psalm 103

a) Personal response to God

b) Praise given to the Lord

2. The Conclusion of Psalm 103

a) A challenging Call to bless the Lord

b) An extensive Call to all to bless God

SPECIAL REASONS TO PRAISE GOD

The Lord has established His throne in heaven,

And His kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 103:19

1. God has established His throne in heaven

2. His Kingdom rules over all

a) Heaven

b) Earth

AN EXAMPLE OF HOW HEAVEN WORSHIPS GOD

4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!”

 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”

6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!

Revelation 19:4-6

1. The heavenly congregation

a) The twenty-four elders

b) The four living creatures

c) All who are God’s servants

d) All who fear God, both small and great

2. Affirmation of Worship and praise to God

a) God sits on His throne in heaven

b) He reigns as “The Lord God Omnipotent!”

AN EXTENSIVE CALL TO BLESS THE LORD

20 Bless the Lord, you His angels,

Who excel in strength, who do His word,

Heeding the voice of His word.

21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,

You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

22 Bless the Lord, all His works,

In all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 103:20-22

1. A call to the angels of God

a) Angels who excel in strength

b) They do His word

c) They heed the voice of His word

2. The hosts of God

a) God is sometimes called “The Lord of hosts”

b) This is a reference to the angelic armies of God

c) They are engaged in spiritual warfare

i) Against power demonic forces

ii) They battle for those who belong to God

iii) They are ministers (servants) of God

iv) They do the things that please God

d) They are called to bless the Lord’s name too

3. The works of God

a) God’s handiwork may be seen in the universe

b) The Psalmist personifies the works of God

c) They are also called upon to offer praise to God

4. A beautiful imagery

“For you shall go out with joy,

And be led out with peace;

The mountains and the hills

Shall break forth into singing before you,

And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Isaiah 55:12

a) The redeemed described

i) They will go out with joy

ii) They will be led out with peace

b) The mountains and the hills

i) They will break forth into singing

ii)   All the trees of the field shall clap their hands

A CONSISTENT CALL TO BLESS THE LORD

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 103:22c

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

Psalm 103:1-2

1. Commencement to bless the Lord

2. Commitment to bless the Lord

1 I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;

The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

And let us exalt His name together.

Psalm 34:1-3

a) To bless the Lord at all times

b) His praise to be spoken of continually

c) A call to magnify the name of the Lord

OUR CHALLENGE

1 Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord, O my soul!

2 While I live I will praise the Lord;

I will sing praises to my God while I have my being

Psalm 146:1-2

1. To offer praise to the Lord

2. To offer praise as long as we have life

3. A worthy challeng