I can tell you what God has done for me and that HE is my All in All, but I can’t tell it in any better fashion than what David did! I read 1 Chronicles 29:10-17, and the reading pealed like sweet chords or recognition in my soul's song.
I was so moved by this scripture that I went to one of my favorite commentaries to see what they had to say about this scripture. You see, what got my attention was when David said, "Bless You, Lord." That had me scratching my head because I know that we can bless others and ask GOD to bless others, but what in the world does it mean to say, "Bless You, Lord"?
Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about this passage of scripture:
(v. 10): Wherefore David blessed the Lord, not only alone in his closet, but before all the congregation." This I expected when we read (v. 9) that David rejoiced with great joy; for such a devout man as he would no doubt make that the matter of his thanksgiving which was so much the matter of his rejoicing. He that looked round with comfort would certainly look up with praise. David was now old and looked upon himself as near his end; and it well becomes aged saints, and dying saints, to have their hearts much enlarged in praise and thanksgiving. This will silence their complaints of their bodily infirmities, and help to make the prospect of death itself less gloomy. David’s psalms, toward the latter end of the book, are most of them psalms of praise. The nearer we come to the world of everlasting praise the more we should speak the language and do the work of that world. In this address,1. He adores God, and ascribes glory to him as the God of Israel, blessed for ever and ever. Our Lord’s prayer ends with a doxology much like this which David here begins with—for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory. This is properly praising God—with holy awe and reverence, and agreeable affection, acknowledging, (1.) His infinite perfections; not only that he is great, powerful, glorious, etc., but that his is the greatness, power, and glory, that is, he has them in and of himself, v.11. He is the fountain and centre of every thing that is bright and blessed. All that we can, in our most exalted praises, attribute to him, he has an unquestionable title to. His is the greatness; his greatness is immense and incomprehensible; and all others are little, are nothing, in comparison of him. His is the power, and it is almighty and irresistible; power belongs to him, and all the power of all the creatures is derived from him and depends upon him. His is the glory; for his glory is his own end and the end of the whole creation. All the glory we can give him with our hearts, lips, and lives, comes infinitely short of what is his due. His is the victory; he transcends and surpasses all, and is able to conquer and subdue all things to himself; and his victories are incontestable and uncontrollable. And his is the majesty, real and personal; with him is terrible majesty, inexpressible and inconceivable. (2.) His sovereign dominion, as rightful owner and possessor of all: "All that is in the heaven, and in the earth, is thine, and at thy disposal, by the indisputable right of creation, and as supreme ruler and commander of all: thine is the kingdom, and all kings are thy subjects; for thou art head, and art to be exalted and worshipped as head above all.’’ (3.) His universal influence and agency. All that are rich and honourable among the children of men have their riches and honours from God. This acknowledgment he would have the princes take notice of and join in, that they might not think they had merited any thing of God by their generosity; for from God they had their riches and honour, and what they had returned to him was but a small part of what they had received from him. Whoever are great among men, it is God’s hand that makes them so; and, whatever strength we have, it is God that gives it to us, as the God of Israel our father,... "(Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible, {1 Chronicles 29, 10-17}) (I took the liberty for emphasis sake of underlining and using bold print to call your attention to certains portions of this quotations.)
Now, I understand that the phrase that caught my attention means to acknowledge GOD for HIS Omnipotence, Omnicience, etc. This is the way that I sum it up, "Bless you LORD, for YOUR great lovingkindness and YOUR great mercy, for we are just tenants in this world, sojourners on our way home, and we ask YOUR mercy and help as we travel. For YOU, GOD are my HELP and my HOPE all the days of my life. Without YOU, I am nothing for I would not even exist! Be safe.
Walking by faith,
Alma L. Stepping On Carr-Jones
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