7 Worship Songs To “Bless The Lord” (Soul-Commanding Praise)

Worship is not always a natural reflex; sometimes, it must be an intentional command. In Psalm 103, David speaks to himself, saying, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” He isn’t waiting for a feeling; he is instructing his spirit to do its job.

Songs that command the soul to “bless the Lord” are vital for combating spiritual apathy. They remind the church that praise is not a passive reaction to good vibes, but an active decision to give God the honor He is due, regardless of our emotional state.

Why These Songs Wake Up The Spirit

We selected these songs because:

  • They are volitional. They use language of decision (“I will,” “My soul will”) rather than just description.
  • They are biblical. They draw heavily from the Psalms, specifically the “Hallel” psalms of praise.
  • They are redirecting. They take our focus off our internal mood and place it on God’s eternal nature.

7 Songs To Command Your Soul To Praise

  1. 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) – This is the modern standard for this theme. It takes the command of Psalm 103 and turns it into a gentle, singable anthem. It teaches the soul to sing “like never before” from the breaking of dawn to the setting of the sun.
  2. Bless God – “Bless God in the sanctuary… bless God in the valley.” This song is a comprehensive call to worship. It commands praise in every location and situation, reminding us that there is never a time when God is not worthy of blessing.
  3. Praise – “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” This high-energy track takes the command of Psalm 150 and brings it to life. It is a relentless, joyful instruction to give God praise simply because we have breath in our lungs.
  4. Great Things – Based on the Magnificat (“My soul magnifies the Lord”), this song declares, “My soul proclaims Your greatness.” It is a decision to make God bigger in our sight than our problems.
  5. Gratitude – “So I throw up my hands.” This song acknowledges that sometimes we don’t have the “right” words, but we can command our bodies to respond. Lifting hands is a physical act of blessing the Lord that often leads the heart to follow.
  6. Praise You Anywhere – “I’ll praise You anywhere.” This song is a vow of consistency. It commands the soul to bless the Lord in the prison just as much as in the palace, refusing to let circumstances silence the song.
  7. House Of The Lord – “We sing to the God who heals… we sing to the God who saves.” This anthem reminds the church of the *reason* we bless Him. It lists His attributes as fuel for our fire.

Example “Bless The Lord” Setlists

Setlist 1 (The Command To Praise)

  1. Praise – Wakes up the room with Psalm 150 energy.
  2. Bless God – Instructs the soul to bless Him in all things.
  3. 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) – Ends with a personal, intimate response.

Setlist 2 (Joyful Proclamation)

  1. Great Things – Magnifies the Lord for His works.
  2. House Of The Lord – Celebrates the privilege of worship.
  3. Gratitude – Offers a simple hallelujah.

How To Use These Songs In Your Church

  • Read Psalm 103. This is the biblical foundation for the entire set. Read the first five verses aloud to give your congregation the scriptural authority to command their own souls.
  • Address the heavy hearts. Before singing Bless God, acknowledge that some people don’t feel like singing. Remind them that worship is a sacrifice, and it honors God most when it is difficult.
  • Use body language. “Throw up my hands” in Gratitude is a physical instruction. Encourage your church to actually do it. Physical actions often unlock spiritual freedom.

Next Steps

Do you have a “quiet” congregation? This Sunday, use Praise to lovingly challenge them. Remind them that if they have breath, they have a job description: to praise the Lord.

By Lydia Hart, WorshipChords Editorial Staff

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