The psalm begins with what can be called a self-exhortation by the psalmist to worship the Lord in as full a way as he can. Such a worship style would involve his mind, his affections, and his energy. It includes his speech. The idea of blessing here is to speak well about the person, and here that person is the One who is holy, infinitely superior to and separate from all his creatures (v. 1).
David mentions some of the ways that he has personally experienced the blessings of God (vv. 2-5). He lists them because he knows he might forget them. They include pardon of his sins, healing from illnesses, protection from death, abundant provision for his needs, inner satisfaction and ongoing renewal that kept him young and fresh in heart. He may have been young when he wrote the psalm (although a person of forty could be called young at that time).
In verses 6-14, David thinks of some ways God has helped his people as a nation. He defends those who need justice, he revealed his will to Moses, he showed kindness and patience and covenant commitment to them, he did not persist in expressions of anger, and he did not deal with them according to what their sins deserved. Instead his displays of grace were incredible, greater than the distance between heaven and earth. The distance between a forgiven people and their sins is immeasurable, like the east from the west. He treats his people, those who fear him, with the compassion of a father. His provision is not haphazard, or merely hoping for the best. Rather since he knew them, he provides for them according to what they need.
In contrast to God, all men are frail and short-lived (vv. 15-16). The best of them cannot do very much for others, especially regarding the future. But God can because of his faithfulness to those who keep the covenant and express loyalty to him in their lives (vv. 17-18).
David then looks at what happens in heaven. There he knows that the angels serve the Lord and praise him. He would like everywhere in creation to bless the Lord by acknowledging his sovereignty, including himself (vv. 19-22).
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