Psalms 34:1 says, “A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” To ‘bless the Lord’ is a common expression in the Psalms. We read in Psalms 103:1-2, “A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” We read in Psalms 104:1, “Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.” To ‘bless’ is to ascribe blessing, give honor, praise, and glory to the Lord. To ‘bless’ the Lord is to ‘praise’ the Lord.

However, we also have verses that speak of the Lord blessing us. We read in Numbers 6:24, “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee.” This is the same Hebrew word that is used when speaking of man blessing God. The Hebrew word is ‘barak’. I am, of course, saying that ‘barak’ is the English equivalent of the Hebrew word which is actually ‘בָּרַךְ’. The very root meaning of the word is ‘an act of adoration’. Realizing this, I think we can see that we can bless God when we adore Him. He ministers to our needs because He adores us. (290.4)