Passage: Psalm 103
The Big Idea
In Psalm 103, David preaches to his own soul: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Then he lists them: forgiveness, healing, redemption, a crown of lovingkindness, satisfaction and renewal. God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger. He has not dealt with us according to our sins. As high as the heavens, so great is His mercy; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions. Like a father, He pities His children, because He knows we’re dust.
Reflections
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! (v. 1). You’ve answered me time after time, and I barely mention it. I’m sorry. Be the center of attention in my life.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits (v. 2). David gives his soul direction, even correction. Don’t let a day go by without focusing on His grace, His help and His favor. All free. All the good things Jesus has done for me.
Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases (v. 3). Sin and sickness are both within His grace. He sees it all and deals with it all. If sin is a disease, You heal me from the inside out. Keep healing me.
Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies (v. 4). Everything the enemy did to destroy me, and everything I did to walk into destruction, You’ve bought me back from, paying the price Yourself. And You’ve crowned me with grace and mercy. Nothing marks a blessed person like a crown. Grace and mercy are the first marks of my identity, the first things anyone should see: I’m the object of Your grace (getting what I don’t deserve) and Your mercy (not getting what I do deserve).
Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (v. 5). Satisfies is the word You use. You meet my needs fully and abundantly. You don’t give weak, second-rate or life-stealing things. You renew me with Your good grace every day.
The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed (v. 6). You did this through Your Son. We were oppressed by the cruel slave master of sin, and You delivered us as You did Israel in Egypt.
He made known His ways to Moses (v. 7). Make Yourself known in the hearts of the next generation, too, so they follow You with all their hearts. We can’t do it ourselves. You reach down to us.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy (v. 8). Mercy and grace again! Why do I fear Your anger? Why do I doubt Your mercy? You say it over and over in Your Word, but I wait to feel it in my heart. I’ve learned You’re slow to anger by experience; oh, that I’d learn it by simply believing Your Word.
He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever (v. 9). You made a way for the war to end. Now it’s rest, all rest. You’ve done the work.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities (v. 10). Mercy upon mercy. You give me hope when I deserve nothing. Because Jesus was dealt with according to our sins, we never will be.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him (v. 11). That’s something I can depend on. It’s been a long wait; keep speaking Your promises into me. Cultivate a heart that fears You and lives in Your presence. Forgive me for checking out.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (v. 12). That’s infinitely far. Let me believe it and live like it’s true, not taking it lightly, but receiving it with childlike faith.
As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him (v. 13). Unfair grace, one-way love. Again You point me to the relationship of Father and child.
For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust (v. 14). You know how weak I am. You became a man and took on this weakness, and overcame it in holiness. You know we’ll always need You, and You promise to be faithful.
As for man, his days are like grass… the wind passes over it, and it is gone (vv. 15-16). In good conditions we seem to thrive. Then the smallest breeze can undo everything we build.
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children (v. 17). Two gifts, mercy and righteousness, received in relationship, lasting forever and reaching to the next generations. Fulfill this in my family.
To such as keep His covenant (v. 18). Old Covenant and New Covenant are both built on promises, with different promises and different terms. In the New Covenant, Jesus kept the terms for us, and we receive the promises by faith.
The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all (v. 19). Your rule can’t be shaken, and You’ve chosen to love me and invite me into Your kingdom. Rescue those still in the other kingdom by Your power.
Bless the Lord, you His angels… all you His hosts… all His works. Bless the Lord, O my soul! (vv. 20-22). The psalm starts with my soul and expands to the whole universe, then comes back home: Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Grace Takeaway
Preach Psalm 103 to yourself. Your sins are removed as far as the east is from the west. You’re crowned with lovingkindness. Your Father knows you’re dust and pities you. Don’t forget a single benefit.
← Psalm 102: But You Are the Same | All Psalms notes | Psalm 104: O Lord, How Manifold Are Your Works →