The tefillah of Nishmas opens with what seems like a very simple statement:

נשמת כל חי תברך את שמך ה׳ אלוקינו
“The soul of every living being blesses You, Hashem.”

At first glance, it feels obvious. Of course, only someone who is alive can praise Hashem. We find the same idea again in Hallel:

לא המתים יהללו קה
“The dead cannot praise Hashem.”

Again, it sounds almost unnecessary. If someone is no longer alive, they cannot work, travel, shop, or even daven. Clearly, they can no longer thank or praise Hashem.

The Ri bar Yakar, as brought by Rashi, explains that these pesukim are teaching us something far deeper: gratitude and praise are not simply part of daily life — they are its very essence.

A life filled with gratitude is not just a better life; it is the true definition of life.

And even more than that, when we live with awareness of Hashem, we draw bracha and shemirah into our lives — our gratitude itself becomes our shemirah.

May Hashem grant us the zechus of:

אשירה לה׳ בחיי
“I will sing to Hashem with my life.”

And through that, may we merit:

וכל החיים יודוך סלה