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Praise 104.1
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Source: Joshua Hodge Photography / Getty

David was a common man with an uncommon heart. He struggled with emotional outrage, just as you and I do. He stood on the edge of the black pit of depression times too numerous to count and thus, he knew what it took to battle the blahs as well. David chose to command his soul, which is the birthplace of our thoughts, emotions and personality, to bless the Lord. This phrase is constructed in the imperative, which means that it is not an option but a definitive command. David was, in effect saying, “Soul, no matter how crummy you feel, you will bless the Lord! Personality, get over yourself and praise the Lord! Now! Emotions, shut your whining, complaining mouth and open up to worship the Lord!”

Praise will reform the atmosphere of your life in a way that nothing else has the power to do. There is one person and one person alone who keeps you from rejoicing. You might try to blame it on the devil but he does not have the power to inhibit your heart from breaking into song. The devil actually has realized that he doesn’t need to mute your ability to worship because this other person has done such a thorough job that the devil’s devious ways are no longer needed. Who is this powerful inhibitor that stands between you and the symphonic explosion of worship? You! You do! You choose not to rejoice when you are consumed with the not-so-benign blahs.

There is really only one reason why a Christian who loves Jesus wholeheartedly would choose not to rejoice. There is one reason that can be expressed in an infinite number of ways. Selfishness.   Self-centered living. Self-awareness. Looking out for #1! Self-preservation. My way or the highway. Life is all about me. I don’t feel like it. I don’t gotta if I don’t wanna.

It is your choice. You choose to magnify self today or to magnify God. Choose today.

A Psalm of David.
1Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.plenteous…: Heb. great in mercy
9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.as…: Heb. according to the height of the heaven
12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.it is…: Heb. it is not
17But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.that excel…: Heb. mighty in strength
21Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.