High School | Bless the Lord - Part 1 (Psalm 103) | Joel Pickett

Main message: David’s command in Psalm 103 to “bless the Lord” means intentionally remembering and verbally praising God for his benefits; worship is a deliberate, whole‑hearted response rooted in what God has done for us. The sermon unpacks the opening of Psalm 103 and the first five benefits David lists as the basis for blessing God.

Key points:

• Blessing God is intentional—David speaks to his own soul and calls us to actively choose to praise (verbally and physically), not wait for automatic feelings.
• Remembering God’s benefits (not willful forgetfulness) is the key practice that produces worship.
• The sermon highlights five benefits in Psalm 103: God forgives sins, heals diseases, redeems from destruction, crowns us with lovingkindness/tender mercies (hesed), and satisfies our inward desires, renewing strength.
• Forgiveness is foundational and is ultimately secured by Christ’s atoning work; other benefits flow from that pardon.
• Regular practices—Scripture, corporate worship, communion, physical postures of humility—help us remember and fuel ongoing, wholehearted praise.

Scriptures mentioned: Psalm 103, Psalm 90, 1 Chronicles 29:20, Psalm 96:2, Psalm 145:2, Psalm 13:6, Deuteronomy 4:9, Deuteronomy 6:12, Jeremiah (unspecified verse), Isaiah 53, Psalm 37:4