I will bless the LORD at all times:
Psalms 34:1-3
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD:
the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together.
Explanation
Psalm 34 is an incredible song of praise to God that is meant to be song in a communal way. This is not just a individual song to the Lord. The focus of verses 1-3 is that the worship of God by the individual will influence the praise of everyone that can hear.
God certainly is worthy to be praised, not just with our lips, but with our lives. This is a theme in the whole song. To praise with one and not the other does not reflect who God is. It is not right to praise the Lord on Sunday, and live like the devil the rest of the week. It is also not right to try to live by the will of God throughout the week and not open our mouth and praise Him, either.
This is certainly the concern of the first two verses. When does He desire to bless the Lord? “At all times”. How often does he praise? “Continually”.
If there is something to boast about, it is not in our individual accomplishments or abilities. It is in the Lord. This reminds me of Jeremiah 9:23-24.
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
When the psalmist blesses the Lord, praises the Lord, and boasts in the Lord, then others who have the right mindset will hear this praise, blessing, and boating and “be glad”.
This prompts verse 3.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:3
There is a recognition of who God is that comes as we recognize who we are. We are not supposed to be worshipped. We are to worship. We are not to worship one another, or fear one another the way we worship and fear the Lord. He is to be worshipped because He is Lord. We are not.
Application
Praise and Worship, done in a way to truly honor the Lord, takes genuine humility. It’s not about us, but it shoudl be done by us. It’s not about me, thought it should be done by me. It is about Him. He is to be magnified. His name should be lifted up.
Worship is good for us because, rightly done, worship right sizes God and ourselves in our hearts. God is to be magnified, and we, His people, submit to Him.
Response
Father God, may my worship of you be loud. Let it be done in humility, and may it cause others to worship You today. Amen