Bless the Lord: Tell Your Soul To Praise
Based on Psalm 103:1–2
From the message: “Tell Your Soul to Praise”
How to use this devotional:
This isn’t a checklist.
This is a five-day journey for your soul—especially the tired parts, the confused parts, and the parts that feel spiritually asleep.
Each day is built around one core idea from Psalm 103:1–2.
This passage is David talking to his own soul—not waiting for emotions to align or circumstances to change. He’s leading his soul into praise.
So let this week be about doing the same.
Each day, take about 15–20 minutes. You’ll get:
• A passage of Scripture
• A reflection written just for you
• Questions to help you journal honestly
• A guided prayer to speak out loud
Don’t rush it. Don’t fake it. Just show up—and let the Word do the work.
Day One: When You Don’t Feel It
Theme: Praise is a Choice, Not a Condition
Scripture: Psalm 103:1
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.”
Reflection:
Sometimes your spirit is willing, but your soul is… still in bed.
You believe the truth about God. You trust His Word.
But everything inside you feels heavy, hesitant, or just plain tired.
That’s where David was when he wrote this.
But here’s what’s fascinating—Psalm 103 isn’t connected to a particular crisis.
David’s not running from Saul.
He’s not picking up the pieces after a moral failure.
He’s not dancing through the streets with the Ark of the Covenant.
This is mature David. Reflective David. Seasoned David.
A man who’s lived long enough to know how easy it is for the soul to drift into forgetfulness, and how essential it is to bring it back.
He’s seen the highs and lows.
He’s experienced glory… and guilt.
He’s been a king and a fugitive.
He’s had public success and private regret.
And now? He’s sitting down to talk to his own soul like a wise shepherd would calm a skittish sheep.
“Praise the Lord, my soul.”
This isn’t poetic filler. It’s a command.
David is talking to himself.
Not in a weird way—but in a worshipful way.
Because sometimes, your soul doesn’t feel like worshiping.
Your emotions are out of sync.
Your circumstances haven’t changed.
Your mind is distracted.
So what do you do?
You don’t wait to feel it.
You lead your soul.
The Hebrew word David uses for “praise” is barak. It literally means to kneel in reverence or to bless with humility. It’s not about volume. It’s about posture.
It’s an act of intentional surrender, not emotional overflow.
And this is what makes David’s words so powerful:
He’s not waiting for a reason to worship.
He’s choosing to worship because God is the reason.
This is what the prophet Habakkuk was getting at in one of the most raw and resilient declarations of praise in Scripture:
“Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
—Habakkuk 3:17–18
Habakkuk paints a picture of total emptiness.
Nothing’s growing. Nothing’s producing. Nothing’s going right.
But his praise isn’t dependent on his surroundings.
It’s anchored in who God is.
That’s what David is doing, too.
He’s not asking his emotions for permission to worship.
He’s calling his soul to attention.
And maybe that’s what you need to do today.
Maybe your faith isn’t broken—it’s just buried under exhaustion.
Maybe your worship isn’t gone—it’s just gotten quiet.
Maybe the next move isn’t trying to feel better… but choosing to praise anyway.
Because praise doesn’t begin when the pain ends.
It begins the moment you stop waiting and start remembering who God is.
Don’t let your soul sit in silence today.
Open your mouth.
Speak the truth.
Start with a whisper if you have to.
“Praise the Lord, my soul.”
You don’t need perfect conditions. You need a resolved heart.
God hasn’t changed—so you still have a reason to praise.
Journal Prompts:
1. What part of your life right now feels hardest to praise through?
2. How do you usually respond when your emotions aren’t aligned with your faith?
3. Finish this line with honesty: “Even though I don’t feel ____, I will still praise because ____.
Prayer:
God,
I confess that my soul doesn’t always show up ready to worship.
There are days when I feel numb. Distracted. Distant.
But today I see that praise isn’t based on how I feel—
It’s based on who You are.
So I choose to lead my soul.
I choose to speak what’s true.
Even if the fig tree doesn’t bud…
Even if there’s nothing blooming around me…
You are still worthy.
Help me humble myself in worship today—not because life is perfect,
but because You are perfectly faithful.
I bless Your name on purpose.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Day Two: Your Words Shape Your Worship
Scripture: Psalm 103:1b
“…all my inmost being, praise His holy name.”
Reflection:
David didn’t just say, “Praise the Lord.”
He said, “All my inmost being, praise His holy name.”
That’s different.
He’s not going through the motions.
He’s not waiting for his favorite worship song to hit the bridge.
He’s not half-heartedly singing with one eye on the clock.
He’s telling his entire internal world—his thoughts, his frustrations, his fears, his longings—to line up with the truth.
Because David understood something we often forget:
Your soul follows what your mouth declares.
We like to think our words are just commentary on how we feel.
But spiritually speaking? They’re more like commands to our soul.
That’s what makes this part of Psalm 103 so powerful. David is training himself how to worship.
And the way he does it? He opens his mouth.
We see this reinforced in Scripture again and again. Proverbs 18:21 says:
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
And James 3:4–5 takes it a step further:
“Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go… Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.”
Did you catch that?
Your tongue is the rudder of your soul.
It may feel small, but it’s steering everything.
What you say is setting the direction for your life—even if you don’t realize it.
So let’s get practical for a minute.
If your soul feels lost at sea, it might not be because of your circumstances.
It might be because of your confession.
What have you been speaking over yourself lately?
Over your family? Over your future?
Are your words soaked in complaint, fear, frustration, and doubt?
Or are they speaking life, truth, faith, and promise?
Because you can’t worry your way through the week and worship your way into peace on Sunday.
You can’t declare defeat all day long and expect your soul to walk in victory.
You can’t let your mouth run wild and expect your soul to stay grounded.
What you say out loud trains your soul what to believe.
This is why David doesn’t stop at “praise.” He says, “All my inmost being…”
He’s calling every part of himself into alignment with God’s truth.
And here’s what’s beautiful about that:
Even if your emotions aren’t there yet, your voice can lead them.
Even if your heart is struggling, your mouth can go first.
Speak it until you believe it.
You don’t have to fake it. But you do have to say it.
Try this:
“I trust You, God.”
“You are good.”
“You are with me.”
“You will use me.”
“You are not finished with me yet.”
Speak those words out loud. Don’t just read them. Say them.
Because when you do, you’re taking back the wheel.
And your soul will start to follow.
Journal Prompts:
1. What are the loudest words you’ve been speaking lately—internally or externally?
2. What direction have those words been steering your soul toward?
3. Write three truth statements you need to declare today. Then say them out loud.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for giving me the ability to speak truth even when I don’t feel it.
I see now that my words are more than reactions—they’re rudders.
They steer my soul.
So today, I declare what’s true:
You are good.
You are faithful.
You are present.
You are powerful.
And even if I feel weak, I will speak strength.
Even if I feel unsure, I will speak promise.
Even if I feel discouraged, I will speak joy.
Train my tongue to lead my heart.
Let praise fill my mouth until faith rises in my soul.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Day Three: Don’t Forget to Remember
Scripture: Psalm 103:2
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—”
Reflection:
Let’s be honest.
We don’t just forget where we put our keys.
We forget who God is.
We forget what He’s already done.
We forget His grace. His provision. His power.
Not because we don’t care—but because our minds are flooded with everything else.
That’s why David tells his soul to stop and remember.
“Forget not all His benefits.”
He’s not talking about vague spiritual ideas.
He’s talking about the real, personal, undeniable acts of God in his life.
Moments where God stepped in. Held him up. Pulled him through.
But David knew what we all know:
If you don’t fight to remember, you will naturally drift toward forgetfulness.
And forgetfulness doesn’t just steal your memory—it weakens your faith.
That’s why this isn’t a suggestion.
It’s a command.
“Forget not…”
The Hebrew phrase used here means more than mental lapse.
It means to treat something as unimportant. To stop honoring it.
In other words—to overlook what should be obvious.
And when you overlook God’s faithfulness, you begin to doubt His presence.
You start to wonder…
Has God stopped working?
Is He still for me?
Can I still trust Him?
Those questions don’t show up when you’re actively remembering—they show up when your heart goes quiet and your mind goes blind to what God has already done.
Deuteronomy 6:12 offers this warning:
“Be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”
Why did God repeat this kind of reminder throughout Scripture?
Because people are forgetful—even after miracles.
Even after breakthroughs.
Even after decades of provision.
And so are we.
We forget the answered prayers because we’re focused on the unanswered ones.
We forget the breakthroughs because we’re obsessing over the breakdowns.
We forget the grace that carried us because we’re worried about the strength we don’t have.
But here’s the good news: remembering is a habit you can build.
It starts with stopping long enough to say:
“God, I remember…”
I remember when You made a way.
I remember when You spoke peace into my panic.
I remember when You provided what I didn’t see coming.
I remember when You walked with me through the storm.
And sometimes?
The most spiritual thing you can do is make a list.
Not a prayer list of what you need—but a memory list of what He’s already done.
You don’t need more signs.
You need more remembering.
Because a soul that remembers becomes a soul that rejoices.
So before you ask God for something else today—pause.
Rehearse what He’s already done.
Don’t forget to remember.
Journal Prompts:
1. What’s one area where you’ve been tempted to believe God isn’t working?
2. Look back over the last 3–5 years. What are three things God clearly brought you through?
3. Start a “faithfulness list” today. Add to it daily. Speak it out loud this week.
Prayer:
Father,
I confess that I forget.
I get so caught up in what hasn’t happened…
That I stop celebrating what already has.
But today, I choose to remember.
I remember Your faithfulness.
I remember Your provision.
I remember the prayers You answered—sometimes before I even asked.
Thank You for being consistent, even when I’m forgetful.
Thank You for being faithful, even when I’m fearful.
Teach me to make remembering my rhythm—
So that gratitude becomes my instinct, not just my reaction.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Day Four: When Faith Feels Flat
Scripture: Psalm 103:1–2
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—”
Reflection:
Sometimes it’s not a storm that’s threatening your faith—it’s the slow fade.
Not the fire of a crisis… but the fog of routine.
You still go to church.
You still pray before meals.
You still believe in God.
But if you’re being honest—your soul feels… disconnected.
You’re not in rebellion. You’re not running from God.
But you’re also not running to Him.
You’re just… coasting.
That’s why this Psalm matters so much.
David isn’t in crisis here.
He’s not celebrating a victory either.
He’s in a quiet place—a reflective place—and he recognizes something’s off.
So he doesn’t wait for revival to hit the room.
He starts with himself.
“Praise the Lord, my soul…”
This is not emotional overflow. It’s spiritual strategy.
David is pressing the reset button on his inner world by doing something deeply countercultural:
He commands his soul to praise.
Because he knows that the longer your soul stays silent, the heavier it becomes.
The longer you go without intentional worship, the more your heart starts to drift into distraction, discouragement, or detachment.
And it’s not always because something terrible happened.
Sometimes the soul just settles.
And we forget that praise isn’t just for the passionate. It’s for the dry, the dull, and the drifting too.
Hebrews 13:15 reminds us:
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”
Praise is a sacrifice.
Especially when your emotions don’t feel like showing up.
Especially when your spirit feels tired.
Especially when it would be easier to stay quiet.
But that’s what makes it powerful.
A sacrifice of praise doesn’t wait for convenience—it rises out of conviction.
David says, “All my inmost being…”—that means he’s pulling every part of himself into alignment.
His thoughts. His feelings. His fears. His doubts.
Everything is being submitted to truth.
And the result?
Something shifts.
Not always externally. But something moves in the soul.
Because the soul wasn’t meant to run on autopilot.
It was made to be led.
And praise is the key that turns the ignition.
If your faith feels flat, don’t wait for the fire to return.
Start the flame with your words.
Start the flame with your song.
Start the flame with your memory.
You don’t need a new miracle to worship—you need to remember the ones you already have.
And that memory becomes fuel for praise.
And that praise becomes oxygen for your faith.
Even if all you can say is, “Lord, I’m still here. I still believe. I still trust You.”
That’s enough to stir the soul.
That’s enough to wake it up.
Journal Prompts:
1. In what ways have you noticed your faith or worship becoming “flat” or routine?
2. What are some signs in your life that your soul might be coasting instead of leading?
3. Write a short declaration to your soul today: “I will praise because…”
Prayer:
God,
Sometimes my soul gets stuck.
Not because I’m running from You… but because I’m not running at all.
I’ve been coasting. Settling. Stagnating.
But today I choose to press reset.
I choose to praise—not out of feeling, but out of faith.
Wake my heart up.
Reignite my passion for You.
Let my soul hear my voice call it into motion.
Because You are still worthy—whether I feel on fire or not.
So I praise You with intention.
I worship You on purpose.
And I believe You meet me in the middle of it.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Day Five: Lead Your Soul So Others Can Follow
Scripture: Psalm 103:1–2
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—”
Reflection:
By this point in the week, you know what it means to lead your soul.
But now it’s time to ask a different question:
Who’s watching you lead?
Because soul leadership isn’t just personal—it’s generational.
David wasn’t only writing for himself in Psalm 103.
He was modeling what it looks like to worship with consistency, clarity, and conviction—because others would follow his example.
And so will they follow yours.
You might not feel like a “spiritual leader.”
But if you’ve been walking with Jesus for a while… if you’ve seen Him come through time and time again… if you’ve weathered some storms and stayed standing…
Then like it or not—you’re someone else’s example.
The question isn’t if you’re modeling something.
The question is what you’re modeling.
• Are you modeling reactive praise or resilient praise?
• Are you modeling grumbling or gratitude?
• Are you modeling soul leadership or emotional autopilot?
Hebrews 13:15 gives this challenge:
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”
That word “continually” is the key.
This isn’t Sunday-only faith.
This is a life marked by repeated, rooted, resilient worship—even when it’s a sacrifice.
Even when nobody else sees.
Even when you're stuck in traffic or standing in the hospital hallway or doing laundry late at night.
Because those are the moments your kids notice.
Your friends see.
Your spouse feels.
Your church learns from.
You’re not called to perform. But you are called to model.
And the most powerful thing you can model is a soul that praises on purpose.
Let me say it clearly:
Mature believers, this is your moment to show what real worship looks like.
Not hype. Not perfection. Not empty religion.
But anchored, everyday praise.
Praise that speaks life when others are speaking fear.
Praise that holds the room when the family is tense.
Praise that rises when life presses down.
Your soul leadership might not be flashy—but it is formational.
That younger couple sitting a few rows behind you? They’re watching.
That high school student who just gave her life to Christ? She’s listening.
Your grown kids who haven’t been back to church in a while? They remember how you worshipped.
And while you may not be able to change their circumstances, you can show them what to do with a soul that wants to give up:
You lead it.
You bless the Lord.
You remember His benefits.
And you speak truth out loud until others learn how to do it, too.
This is how legacy is built.
Not just by preaching the gospel—but by praising through the mundane, the messy, and the difficult.
Journal Prompts:
1. Who in your life is watching how you respond to stress, suffering, or silence from God?
2. What kind of worship do you want to pass on to the next generation—emotional reaction or spiritual rhythm?
3. What can you do this week to intentionally model soul leadership for someone in your family, church, or community?
Prayer:
Father,
You’ve been faithful to me over many seasons.
You’ve led me through battles, doubts, victories, and valleys.
And now You’re calling me to lead—not just myself, but others.
Help me model what it looks like to bless You when it’s hard, to remember when it’s easier to forget, and to praise You when my feelings don’t line up.
Let my life speak even when my words are few.
Let my worship teach others how to trust You.
I don’t want to just survive in my faith—I want to pass it on.
So use my praise to shape the next generation.
Use my soul leadership to inspire, guide, and point people to You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
